The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

This is a story which came to me in . manner that I will explain, as, be- cause of it's improbability, an expla nation is due. It deals with the mysti- cism of the East. and whereas 1t may not Instruct. it will no doubt entertain. It is mystic, certainly, and mythical will be the opinion of the majority who read 1t. Do I believe it? That is not fair question. But I assure the reader that 1t was given me with all the faith of an aged gentleman or Montgomery. to name whom would compel in all the respect that l have for it's authenticity.
 Around a hotel stove during the iirst cold snap of the present winter sat crowd discussing anything that come m It'was merely the relaxation pre- cedine or accompanying the digestion of a hearty dinner. and as promiscu- ous talking to nearly every one IS reouisite of little exertion. we talked. To talk accurately of abstruse ma.te,s Is work, especially to persons ~ho. II they know, are not sure that the oth- ar r,en,hers of the crowd would up- aerstand; likewise. and attempt to ap- near -erudite might be followed by em. harrassment should some member or The assembly know more of the subject than he who was discoursing. 50 we talked, and if we struck subject with which we were unfamiliar, 1t was touch- ed lightly.
 In the course of the evening the sub feet of mesmerisrh and hypnotism arose, ana d few experiences were related. Then the drift set toward India. yog- ism. and the state of ecstasy said to be at Ftimes attained by the priests of Mahatfna. Needless to say, little was imparted or learned by any of those present.
 In the crowd was a well known man of Alabama who at present holds a When we were talking of yogism. he leaned forward and listened intently, but offered no word.
 The next day I met him and we sa, alone Tn the hotel office.
 DO you believe in all that stuff about the power of che priests of the the East and their ability to commune with persons afar off, and to issue commands, and to compel obedience to their wills. if the person Is in another country, say. and supposing that the persen being ordered by the priests previously had been in India and had known something of the science, or whatever it is?"
 saw at once from the complexity c: the question that my aged friend had a motive in propounding it. was
 
 of by telling him that in my belief it was all rot, I answered: "I believe that the Indian priests have progress ed farther in mesmerism, thought trans ference and their kindred studies, than any other persons, but I am not sufficiently familiar with their claims and proofs offered to give you yes or no as an answer"
 well" he said. T some times be- | .ln A q time. I ought to believe in it. Not that I have had any personal experience. he added, as l looked at him with in- terest, But an uncle of mine, or at least of my wife's," he continued. wrote something in regard to his ex- perience in India. and I am compelled to believe in the thing at times. all though at others I think that he had a badSdream and then put it on paper.
 No. he didn't" added my old friend meditativeiy; What he wrote was true. because it is known that he visi- ted the places that nc says he did, and his actions were such as to verify a belief that he was under some tre- menaous mental strain, such as would be atppunted for by his mixing up with those priests of the Fest. Tomorrow I will show you the manuscript that he left.vE
 True to his word, the old man the  next day brought me the story which Is copied below. It was some time be- fore could gain consent to publish it. I could see no objection to giving it ito the world, but that peculiar pride, of some persons which demand them to keep hidden that which is extra ordinary in their family history kept me from the object I sought. ex- plaiued over and over again that 1t was not necessary that names be mentioned; that it was merely the story l wanted, and at last permission was granted. with sundry conditions att tached.
 No names should be mentioned. and nothing should indicate the source of the account; there should be an elision here and there: and. again. my friends wife's uncle was not the best spelIer in the world; his errors should be correct ed in this; but there should be no change in the narrative itself. All of which was agreed to. The old man