Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-04

seen until they spend themselves on the
shore II it is small, the resulting ripples be-
come invisible long before that The point
is. the ripple exists. whether we see 1t or not
just does the wave, until it has run its
course.
"a thought in its physical effect is like the
stone thrown into pool. IF it is big,
exaggerated thought, the agitation produced
is outwardly visible. II it is small. more sub
tie. less sensational its physical effects are
invisible, although theoretically, reaching in
rpples to the extremities of the body Hence
the psychologists problem is to detect and
measure these invisible intangible ripples OF
the mind.
This machine. my ghost hunter solves
the problem. a Russian scientist discovered
that electric current passing through the
body is affected by any abnormal physical or
nervous activity there encountered. Thought
is form OF electric impulse and would there
fore. modify any other electric force crossing
it's path Hence, Tarchanoff's law. Its prac-
tical application means the literal measure
men of our mental ripples. And this is done
by the psychometer."
How" asked David.
at is very simple. You hold these cleo
trodes in your hands. An electric current is
turned and passes through you. While
you are thus charged with electricity throw
the stone, the thought, into your mind The
| degree quality of disturbance caused by
this thought modhes the electric current the
varying agitation of which is made visible
| bv the movements of an electric finger across
| this mirror From there it is recorded on
| the sheet of paper in this cylinder"
What a horrible contriyance! ~ exclaimed
Una.
II see how il works" unused David, "eS
| cept for one thing. How do you introduce
| the thought you want to measure?'
IF l explain that the experiment wouldn't
| he possible" said Leighton with laugh
THE thought must come through uncon-
sciouS suggestion our ghost of the for
To a v.
| like game-and is more interesting than
| most games. Did you ever play the game OF
| twenty questions?'
| Il have" interjected Una ITS this way:
Something book, a piece of furniture
| anything at all-is chosen by one set of play
| ers TO be guessed by the other set. Then
| the set who know the secret have TO Answer
| twenty questions about it, asked by the other
| side. The questions sound silly, but they usu-
ally discover the secret"
rs your experiment like Una's gamer"
| asked David.
Not exactly. Sit down in this chair and
! you'll see"
Seated directed the psychometer stood
| little back and at one side of him.
| Now" said Leighton giving him the cleo
! trodes hold these. one in each hand"
| ITS like an electrocuton" - exclaimed Una.
| Are you very uncomfortable"
| "Oh, quite the contrary. Now. Mr.. Leigh
| tom"
Ready Here goes the current You will
| scarcely feel it,
Leighton pulled out small lever A faint
| humming sound was heard. The electric
| finger on the mirror in the machine became
suddenly Illuminated
| DO you feel it?' asked Una.
| Yes; it's rather nice. This hero business
| is all right. especially when you preside at
the performance. Una"
| Now for your game of twenty questions.
| Uncle Harold OF course, you are going to
| let me into the secret?"
| How can IL" he retorted. David has
the secret"
| "1 have it?" repeated the other. perplexed.
Certainly. But this isn't exactly a game
| You'll find it tedious, Una Why not stay
with Mrs. Quayle in the library until it's
| oVer?"
Nonsense, OF course I'll stay here" she
| replied firmly.
What am I to do ?" asked David. Hold
ing these handles is easy enough-but moth
ing happens"
Let me explain said Leighton. "I am
going to give you, one at time, a number
of disconnected words. AS you hear eacr
word you must reply with the first word
| that suggests itself TO your mind. For in.
stance suppose I say black The woTd gives
rise instantly. to some answering menta
picture, and that picture will suggest wore
with which your experience has associated
| ii. Thus when | say black YOU may thinl
of night; or, if your thought goes by con
trarics the word white may occur TO you
In any case, tell me the first word that come!
into your mind upon hearing my word-anc
| remember that the promptness of your reply
is an important factor in the experiment"
ut sounds easy remarked David. Let.
begin"
| On a small table at which he was stand
ing Leighton placed his watch a writing
pad and pencil. Seating himself, he com
menced the experiment in the way he haC
proposed. noting each word as he gave 1
the pad before him, and marking th
number of seconds elapsng before each o
| N1N VII l'c ms tn Inr
armchair, watched the scene intently.
Theatre" was Leightons first word.
Music" came the prompt reply.
| Noise"
SLEEP"
Lion"
Teeth"
. Sound"
| Desert"
| Ocean"
Blue"
A long series of similar question and an
swer-words followed, apparently chosen a
random and not indicating any sequence o
ideas. Leighton spoke with exaggerate
monotony. his eyes fixed on David. his ham
moving with mechanical precision h
jotted down the words and the time taken 70
each reply.
Scarcely any agitation was noticeable I,
the finger of light upon the mirror. and thi
part of the experiment seemed-at least t.
| Una--a failure.
II don't what the machine has to d.
with it," she said, somewhat puzzled 'Dav'
could just well answer your words with
out holding those things in his hands"
Ina said Leighton. giving this as tn
next question-word and ignoring the inter
ruption.
David smiled. hesitated a moment befor
replying, while the electric finger tremble
slightly and then moved, slowly ard evenly
back and forth across the mirror.
Light" he answered
More question-words followed. most o
them receiving prompt answers and produe
ing no apprecable effect in the psychometel