“Now, under the mesmeric influence—­if the two subjects will consent to its administration,” said the Professor, after some further tedious preamble, “we may at once determine the fact of my assertions, as will be proved by their action while in this peculiar state.”  Here some apparent remonstrance was met with from both subjects, though amicably overcome by the Professor first manipulating the stolid brow and pallid front of the imperturbable Sweeney—­after which the same mysterious ordeal was lothfully submitted to by Hedrick—­though a noticeably longer time was consumed in securing his final loss of self-control.  At last, however, this curious phenomenon was presented, and there before us stood the two swaying figures, the heads dropped back, the lifted hands, with thumb and finger-tips pressed lightly together, the eyelids languid and half closed, and the features, in appearance, wan and humid.

“Now, sir!” said the Professor, leading the limp Sweeney forward, and addressing him in a quick, sharp tone of voice.—­“Now, sir, you are a great contractor—­own large factories, and with untold business interests.  Just look out there! [pointing out across the expectant audience] look there, and see the countless minions toiling servilely at your dread mandates.  And yet—­ha! ha!  See! see!—­They recognize the avaricious greed that would thus grind them in the very dust; they see, alas! they see themselves half-clothed—­half-fed, that you may glut your coffers.  Half-starved, they listen to the wail of wife and babe, and, with eyes upraised in prayer, they see you rolling by in gilded coach, and swathed in silk attire.  But—­ha! again!  Look—­look! they are rising in revolt against you!  Speak to them before too late!  Appeal to them—­quell them with the promise of the just advance of wages they demand!”

The limp figure of Sweeney took on something of a stately and majestic air.  With a graceful and commanding gesture of the hand, he advanced a step or two; then, after a pause of some seconds duration, in which the lifted face grew paler, as it seemed, and the eyes a denser black, he said: 

  “But yesterday
  I looked away
  O’er happy lands, where sunshine lay
  In golden blots,
  Inlaid with spots
  Of shade and wild forget-me-nots.”

The voice was low, but clear, and ever musical.  The Professor started at the strange utterance, looked extremely confused, and, as the boisterous crowd cried “Hear, hear!” he motioned the subject to continue, with some gasping comment interjected, which, if audible, would have run thus:  “My God!  It’s an inspirational poem!”

  “My head was fair
  With flaxen hair—­”

resumed the subject.

“Yoop-ee!” yelled an irreverent auditor.

“Silence! silence!” commanded the excited Professor in a hoarse whisper; then, turning enthusiastically to the subject—­“Go on, young man!  Go on!—­’Thy head-was fair-with flaxen hair—­’”