Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1905-04-21

crowded houses, no more accomplices,
all genuine, except the clairvoyance, in
which there was still a good deal OF
humbug; but that humbug she and /
could manage together without other as
sistance than that Of a pianist.
Never was such a change seen 4as
wrought in less than week in both
father and daughter. A good suit of
clothes gave him quite an air OF respec-
liability, and taken away from old asso-
Citations, he became comparatively re-
formed In his habits. III the girl the
change was still more remarkable. No
one could possibly have recognized in
the neatly dressed, scrupulously clean
Sigpora Zenobia the ragged slovenly Ju-
dith Stokes Of few days back. For my
part, stood in awe Of those terrible
eyes and she grew as proud and haugh-
ty as duchess
For two years we travelled the coun-
try pretty comfortably together, and dur
Ing all that time Judith scarcely ever
made a failure In the meantime, old
Stokes was growing disconnected he
considered that he was too much kept
In the background. The strangest thing
Of all was that he took to religious
books, and to attending the meeting
houses. BY and by he used to disap-
pear regularly every Sunday for the
whole day. At last discovered his se-
cret. He would go a few miles away
from the town where we were exhibit
ing, and do a little open-air preaching
to the rustics. Things were becoming
very unsatisfactory; even the girl seem
ed getting weary Of her work, and was
beginning to think that it would be bet
ter to turn the whole affair ND and start
something else, than to put up with the
airs Of people whom / had picked out
Of the gutter, when my thought was an
tcipated sooner than / counted upon.
I'VE were exhibiting at Spalding one
night to very bad house, and lust as
judith was in the middle OF her perform
ance-a young fellow was upon the pat
form, answering questions in the mes
mer1c sleep-two or three sweIls strolled
into the front seats. They were highly
amused at the manner in which the fell
low seemed compelled to answer all kinds
Of absurd questions; evidently regarding
the whole thing, however, as sell. AS
soon as the yokel was dismissed, one
OF the party, in spite OF the remOn-
strances Of his companions, rose from his
scat, and bounding upon the platform,
expressed wish to be mesmerized. The
event caused great commotiOn in the
room, as he and his companions were
known to be gentlemen of position. At
the first glance Judith could perceive
that he was one Of those strong-wflled
beings over whom she could exercise no
influence. She declined He insisted,
and declared the whole thing was a
swindle. The people began to hiss. not
him, but us.
i cannot mesmerize you, but can
your friend there, said Judith. point-
ing to the dark-eyed, weak-looking young
man who had accompanied him.
He objected; but his companion cried
out, But you shall, Jack. No. hang III
fair play for Zenobial We have called
her an impostor, and we viii give her
chance.
He jumped down off the platform.
and whispered to Jack as he called
him, but not in so low tone but what
! could catch the words, Go up-don't
be fool; she can no more mesmerize
you than she can me. 1t is only nut
of, thinking the challenge won't be ac-
cepted
Very reluctantly the young man
mounted the platform and took the chair
indicated by zenobia, very much to the
delight of his friends, who clapped their
hands, shouted Brayoy and laughed up
roariously.
Judith, who always had the temper
OF a fiend, was boiling with passion at
the ridicule cast upon her; but her rage
was manifested by no word or sign, only
by her livid face, and by those awful
eyes, that looked for all the world like
some brilliant metallic surface. unon
which strong light was shining. She
cast one disdainful glance round the
room, which had the effect Of partly sub
DUNG the uproar, and set herself to her
task.
"In two minutes he was as rigid as a
corpse and as helpless as a child. The
expression of her eyes was something
fearful; the whole audience, including
even his companions, were hushed Tito
silence; even shuddered as looked at
her She used her power mercilessly.
asking him questions of the most sacred
nature, to all of which he replied undis-
guisedly. The moment her eyes were
OH him, the young fellow fell down in
strong commissions.
There was an awful CONSERVATION In
the room. People rushed upon the plat
form to tender their assistance. Judith
stood aloof, leaning upon the piano.
gloating Indignantly over her work.
Well. as soon as he recovered, they put
him into cab and sent him home. one of
his companions accompanying. But the
challenger, who had caused the commo-
tion, remained behind until ali the peo-
pie were dispersed, and then walked
home to our hotel with us. He not only
confessed that no blame could be attach
ed to the young lady for what had oc-
CURED, but very handsomely apoIogixed
for his rudeness in doubling her power.
He came into our private room ana
supped with US. He was remarkably
curious about mesmerism, and asked AZ