The San Francisco call., 1897-10-03
Beyond the Veil.

strangers VINO nave piled their possessions
on that pedestal | have no clew 10 the
mental question each aske d while laying
down a subject" and my atten ion
limits itself to the picturesque, red-robed
figure that handles the articles and fits
gracefully about the platform.
Every movement is dramatic, every
word tells; but If this be art, then has
Madame acquired the perfection OF spon-
taneous art; for actions seem emotional
and unstudied, glance and expression
have the strained look of a soul at high
tension hardening to far-away influences.
This is an old watch and chain," says
Madame, casting the chain round her
neck and pressing the watch to her tenn
pie; "you the owner p She pauses, walks
TO and fro rapidly, listens TO the tick, tick.
"Yes, you are"
And then follows an exposition of the
owners character, his physique, his am
bitions, and in more veiied language, his
fficulties, opportunities, duties and
proper course Of action. land to your
question the answer is yes. Now stand
up. you, and say, do you understand"
tail. we'll built man stands up with
the nervous air peculiar to the modest
sex in such circumstances. Madame
points at him with little bow.
at is your watch? Do you understand?
Am 1 right ?'
II guess that's so, Madame"
She has already turned away and is
probing another watch. walking up and
down. listening, thinking, with restless,
supple movement. Again the character
is read, directions are given, hope or pa
thence is suggested. And so through a
strange Gamut of trinkets linked 10 per-
sonal histories. But each reading is in
te-esting to but one individual. To the
rest it is an enigma. And, though the
recipients look well content, how is the
critical outsider TO be assured that they
are not fooled by lucky phrase or trick
OF imagination? Suddenly there is a
pause in the procs edings. Madame
speaks weari!y:
There are too many" she says. 81
cannot read them all tonight; l am not
strong enough"
Instantly am seized with selfassertive
egotism. l too want my proofs and there
is among those subjects small, dull
coin which is my psychometric test. Is
Madame going to overlook it? The rest
may go, for all l care, but she must, she
really must let me ind out whether there
is anything in her professed insight. /
try TO start brain wave:
Take up the little old coin, take up the
little old coin,' repeat to my self stub
bornly, and L know that brain beside me
is exercising its will power IN unison.
Madame looks pathetically at the heap
before her. Il feel so many curren is
coming to me-" she says slowly; there
are so many people who are each wishing
me to take their thing ! cannot attend to
all, am tired"
Take the little old coin, the little old
coin, the little old coin, repeats itself over
and over in my head, and my heart beats
fast with the energy OF my wish.
''This is a very singular little coin, -
says Madame, taking it up quietly and
eying it with a puzzled air.
The brain wave mas quivered; l am sat
isied. Very sensitive nature" say to
myself smugly; evidently a telepat hic
business all through"
ga very curious coin,' proceeds Mad
anne, land you, you have mistaken your
vocation
My teiepathic theories are discounted.
am quite convinced that 1 have found
my vocation. 1t is only guesswork after
all.
"You ought to have been a"
smile as she names my suitable pro-