Iron County register., 1899-05-11
HIS ONLY PUPIL.
BY JAMES H. SMITH.

OdmDOQla nail was crowded to the
doors and the interest of the audience
was intense. 1t was the last appear
=ance of Prof. Glamis, the famous ex-
ponent ofhypnotism, who for month
had been entertaining the town with
a series of experiments and demon
strations little short of supernatural.
Yet 1t was noted as peculiar feature
of his lectures that he always express
ly disclaimed anything uncanny in
the performance. On this, the clos
ing night, he again prefaced the ex-
Perimental portion by saying with the
greatest earnestness:
Il have endeavored, ladies and gen.
tlemen, to impress upon your minds
that hypnotism is in no sense unnatu-
raj or contrary to the laws that govern
our mundane existence. Because the
experiments / am about to show you
are startling and not to be solved by
the rules that govern the ordinary
functions of life, is no reason why
they may not be explained by other
rules, of which science knows little
and can conjecture but little more.
That we will fathom them in time 1
have no doubt; that we will able to
trace the direct connection between
mind and matter is certain, but at
present we can only accept these phe-
nomena and leave the elucidation of
the mystery to some future period.
'There is point, however. which
wish to particularly impress on you.
These phenomena dre capable of dem
onstration by almost everyone. There
are, of course, people of very weak in
tellect who cannot concentrate their
thoughts, and consequently have no
control over their own minds, to say
nothing of others, but anyone with a
strong will can, with practice, per-
form every feat of hypnotism such as
you will witness this evening"
Prof. Glamis then proceeded to the
practical part of the programme, TAX
ing his subjects at random from the
audience. Men and women laughed
and cried at his command and did
things foolish, commonplace or ma
licious. Still, there might have been
some system of selection, and the pro-
fessor anticipated this criticism.
81 am aware" he said, 'that these
actions may be performed by confed-
crates, and it is my earnest desire that
any such idea may be dispelled. To
that end l will submit to any test. If
the audience will consent, | will select
the subjects by lot, taking every fifth,
seventh or twentieth as you sit, or in
any other manner that may be pre-
ferred."
Several plans were tried, and the
result was always the same; until,
when the audience was dispersed,
there could be no doubt of the genu-
ineness of the experiments. Perhaps
no one was wiser, but all had been
entertained. Prof. Glamis also had
good reason to be satisfied. The re-
ceiptS for his entire engagement had
been phenomenal, and as his expenses
were light, he returned to his hotel
that night feeling that the world had
treated him very well indeed.
The next day was Sunday, which
he spent in making preparations for
his journey to another city, where he
hoped to repeat his success. Hewrote
half a dozen letters, after returning
from church, and in the afternoon,
there being yet some hours before
train time, counted over his ready
money, which amounted to nearly
So, 900, and then prepared to take
short nap. AT this juncture there
was brought to him a card bearing the
name of Oscar Conyers." The pro-
fessor did not recognize the name,
but rejecting that it might be news
paper man, and not being averse to
seeing himself the subject of a column
article, he told the bell boy to show
up the visitor.
Oscar Conyers proved to be young
man, dressed neatly and becomingly.
His face was beardless and proposes
ing, although he could not be called
handsome, the only striking feature
being his eyes, which were black, and
so brilliant that at times they seemed
to positively snap.
II know" he began at once, THAT
this is an intrusion, and l ask your
pardon, but l must plead pressing
need as an excuse"
'eYou are not newspaper man?
asked the professor.
"a newspaper man? Indeed, no!
I am only clerk and in no way ceie-
brated. The matter about which L
came to consult you is entirely prl-
vate." -,
"You wish to consult me? said the
professor in surprise. "You are not
mistaken in the man?"