Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-11

use discussing the ethics OF your DUST
ness with you. Let's come right down
to the facts. We're not asking you for
advice We're stating case. Plsln
fact is that Mrs. Tabor's going insane.
You can stop 1t by showing her that
these suppressed spirits are . trick.
Will you do 1t. or not? That's the
whole question"
The medium had risen, and was
looking for her handkerchief, eying
Reid with meek fearlessness. VI
course, I'm used to this" she muir
INJURED, "but not among educated peo-
pie. A few centuries ago, Doctor, your
profession was regarded In the same
light. l don't imagine we can nave
anything In common. Is the car stu
at the door,"
Hold on. Walter" Mr.. Tabor inter
rupted quietly. MRS. Mahl, you must
allow for our feelings in this matter.
Please sit down again. Now, We
make no charges against you. the
issue Is not whether you are sincere
in your beliefs, nor whether we agree
with them He moved one hand In q
slow, broad gesture. "All that we
leave aside. The point is here: Mrs.
Tabor's belief in these things 10 harm
full and dangerous to her And 1t must
be done away with. like any other
harmful and dangerous thing. We
don't ask whether 1t il illusion or fact;
We ask you, for the sake Of her health,
to make her believe that it Is an illus
ion." n
you know, Of course, that have no
control over the spirit voice." said
Mrs. Mahl blandly. do you wish me
to refuse to sit for herr"
Here and now, we wish to have you
sit for her." Doctor Paulus put IN.
land show her, once for all, how this
her daughters spirit is made. 1t fs
to cure her Of all credulousness In 1t.
for with her mind clean of such pois-
on she shall recover"
would you have me lie to her even
for her good7" The woman was either
a wonderful actress or a moro wonder
full self-deceiver. She turned to Mr..
Tabor appealingly: How can deny
my own faith? Do you think the
truth can ever be wrong?'
Mr.. Tabor went suddenly purple:
"If it is the truth" he growled. "it's
truth out of hell, anu we're going to
fight it. But 1t isn't"
Not in the least disconnected by her
false move, she turned back to Doctor
Paulus. Doctor" she said, dropping
her air OF martyrdom and speaking
more incisively than had yet heard
her, you are the one who knows.
These gentlemen do not understand.
You know that there are mysteries
here that your science can't explain,
whatever you think about them. You
know the difference between my pow
ers and the fakes Of two-dollar clair
voyant. You know 1t in spite Of your
self. Now tell me how you can recon
Gle 1t with your conscience to bring
me up here to listen to such q pro-
posal as this -
The alienist's Napoleonic face hard
ened, and his voice took shriller
edge.
1--WE shall not go into that" he said.
And now we will make an end OF this
talking. You are partly sincere, but you
!, are charlatan also. have seen all
the records, and I have attended your
sittings, and I have all the data, you
understand And have my position,
so that people listen to me. You have
done tricks, once, twice, many times,
and I have all the facts and the dates.
So. You will do as say, and will
remember that you are part honest.
Or, otherwise; II you will not, then l
expose you altogether, publicly"
"You can say anything you like, =
she retorted coolly. II don't care a
bit. Just because you're a big doctor
you needn't think care. Folks are
SO used to you scientific men denying
everything that when you support US
it helps. and when you attack us 1t
don't matter. You think your little
crowd of wise ones is the whole
earth. My clients have faith in me.
Go ahead, and expose all you want to. !"
Wouldn't 1t be wiser to make
friends Of us?" Mr.. Tabor asked SLOW
ly.
We'll make you q by-word," sput-
tered Reid. We'll run you out of
the country. That's what we'll do,
we'll run you out Of the country"
She smiled: "All right, Doctor.
Run along" Then rising to her feet
again, with sweeping gesture, Say
tragically, II defy you!" And she
marched over to the door.
"One moment Mrs. Mahl," said l.
uS llldu WIZ Wdp WILL Auc dt yOuI
sittings was a reporter, the only one
there. II l say so, he'll scare-head you
as faker-in letters all cross the
front page You won't be a serious
impostor. or have the strength of a
weak cause. We won't attack you
and give you chance TO defend your
self, but we'll make nationwide
mock OF you. You'll be joke, with
comic drawings"
You're trying to bluff me-" she
sneered Then all at once, her cool.
ness gave way, and she flung herself
around upon us in food of tears !:
You're a nice crowd of men, aren't
you?" she sobbed, ''to make dead set
on one woman this way! She came
swiftly up to me, and caught both my
hands, leaning against me with up.
turned face. did you see anything
wrong at my stittings? Have you any
thing against me, that you'd swear to,
yourself?"
mot thing" answered. What
of that?''
Then you'd lie about me?" could
feel the hurry OF her breathing.
.