Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-03-30
Hypnotized

There isn't anybody living who
can hypnotic me-"
Don't be too sure, Leonora,
said her husband. "You cannot af-
ford to run tilt against science"
''But l deny that it ID science.
What has ever been proved by hyp-
notism? 1t is foolish to argue about
it, for l will not even admit that
there is such a thing. The shrewd
people who 60 about the country
giving exhibitions of their power
are always in collusion with some
one in the audience-you know that
yourself, Ned"
Nothing of the kind" retorted
Ned, as Mrs. Darl called her hus-
band. at is a science that is yet in
its infancy, and there are only few
individuals who have the hypnotic
power and are able to throw less
positive subjects into a trance. But
/ have seen 1t done, and it is won
derful-wonderful."
"What did you see?"
"I saw a young man climb walls
like cat, drink milk out of a sau-
Ger, catch mouse and then wash
his face and hands as a cat does.
And when he came out of the trance
he had no idea that he had done
any of these things or that he had
even lost consciousness"
Hum" said Mrs. Darl incredu-
lously. 81 don't believe a word of
it. If he did all that you said he
did he was simply a conspirator.
And what good can such a faculty
bring to science, | should like to
know! Where is the scientific value
In acting like a cat or a monkey /"
"Why, don't you see, dear, it is
the verification of theory"
"No, do not see. And / am not
sure that | would believe it if l did
see it. The whole stock in trade of
these hypnotizers is the power of
producing an illusion. defy any
of them to hypnotic me-"
81 had intended asking you to go
with me to the exhibition tonight"
"And be .transmogrified into
cat? No, indeed! If make a sac
rifice of myself in the cause of sci
ence it must be for something worth
while"
Il have an idea," said Mr.. Darl
suddenly. Suppose, since Moham-
med won't go to the mountain, that
the mountain comes to Mohammed.
The hypnotist can come here after
the entertainment, and we will in
vite a few neighbors in, and he can
give an exhibition of his powers.
How does that idea strike youY
"Favorably, Ned. There are the
Rusts and the Pebbles and DR..
Smithly and his wife and Cousin
Fanny and her husband. You can
let them know, and l will order re-
freshments, and we will have an
evening of hypnotism. It will be-
gin late, but we can find other
amusement until your hypnotic OPP
orator comes"
Mrs. Darl had everything arrang-
ed-her house in beautiful order
and herself gorgeous in a dress of
ruby velvet, which was far too fine
for the occasion, but wes worn as a
piece de resistance, she having read
that velvet resisted hypnotic infu-
ence.
The neighbors and relatives came,
a merry company, and the time
passed in an animated discussion
upon the power of hypnotism, one
friend going SO far in research as to
visit the library and look up that
wonderful story, "The House of the
Seven Gables" and read aloud to at
tentive listeners passage from the
weird history of Alice Pyncheon.
''He spoke, and Alice responded
with a soft, subdued inward acquies-
cence and bending Of her form
toward him, like the fame of a
torch when it indicates a gentle
draft of air. He beckoned with his
hand, and, rising from her chair,
the proud Alice approached him.
He waved her back, and, retreating,
Alice sunk again into her seat.
She is mine said Matthew
Maule. Mine by the right of the
strongest spirit
"Oh, that was mesmerism," said
Mrs. Darl as the reading ceased.
"And what is mesmerism ?" ask
ed one of the company. 81 think
that it is as unexplainable as hyp-
notism, if it is not the same thing.
Oh, here they are now! Let US hold
on to our chairs or We may be spir-
ited away to China. I for one am
afraid"
Il am not" said the oueenly
hostess as she swept forward in vel
vet and diamonds to meet her hus-
band and his guest.
a pale, composed looking man
accompanied Mr.. Darl, and he did
not seem surprised by the elegance
of his hostess or flushed by the crit
ical gaze of the company.
After the introductions were
UnaIa anl nanrarno@,z~~ l.~- -