Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-06-16

''He has had no regular employment,
but has lived in a sort of hand-to-mouth
way in several cities in the east and
west Most people thought his mind
impaired but believe he is as sensible
as he ever was / have a small income,
and for five years--since my husband
died-he has lived with me. He has
been studying hypnotism for the last
two years, and experimenting on every
one who would allow it. At first I did
not object, because it seemed to keep
him interested; but lately he has almost
frightened me with his wonderful slall.
He can make people do anything he
wishes, and on Friday nights the neigh
bors come in this parlor to hear him
talk and witness his experiments. They
always give him money, and so l could
not object, as it is now the only way he
has of earning anything"
"You say that 'of late he has fright
cncd you with his eXperiments?' said
Hendricks. would you mind telling
me the nature of some of the most OBJ
iectionable?"
"Hc seems very fond of making his
hypnotized subjects imagine they arc
numbering some one, and they always
go through with it in such way that
it makes my blood run cold. He usually
has a pillow, q chair, or some piece of
furnitW,s, to represent the man to be
killed, and then"
Il think l know the process" inter-
rupted Hendricks, as if a thought had
suddenl come into his mind. "He would
stick up a knife somewhere, and make
his subject take it of his own accord
and staA the imaginary man."
Exactly"
'He rgculd, however, fail sometimes .
said the detective; "he would now and
then be unable to control subiect?'
''Not Il the person had ever been hyp-
notizci .5efore," replied the woman.
"Those people who had been under his
influence more than once would prompt
ly do his bidding"
81 presume he sometimes called his
make-believe victims by the name of
Strong" Hendricks remarked. at
would be natural, after all he has
| borne"
"Yes, quite frequently. Some of his
friends knew the name of the man who
had wronged him, and it became a sort
of joke at the gatherings; but it was no
joke with Tom, and that is why hoped
he would not meet his old partner again.
Not long ago he heard somehow that
Strong was to be married to a pretty
young lady, and it infuriated him be-
yond description. Perhaps"
The woman paused and looked at
Hendricks suspiciously. She lowered
her head, and began nervously to stroke
the hair of the child Then she said,
abruptly:
Somehow, 1 trust you, sir. have
heard so mach of your kindness to
women that I feel down in my heart that
you are sorry for me in spite of the
duty you have to perform; but l don't
want to say anything thoughtlessly
that would go against my brother.
couldn't bear to think that"
The woman's eyes began to fill, and
Hendricks rose.
81 am, indeed, in full sympathy with
you, Mrs. Champney," he said, "You
have had a mighty big load to bear, and
if can possibly make it lighter will
do So"
81 thank you," replied the woman
"but there is only one thing can ask
and shall be grateful if you will do il
for me. / want to know the worst as
soon as possible. If-if you-arrest
him, please let me know at once where
l can go and comfort him. Poor fellow
he is not so very much to blame. His
whole life was ruined by that mans act
and if he did kill Mr. Strong he hardly
knew what he was doing"
81 will keep you posted said Hen
bricks; and he bowed and left the room