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Article THE VOLITATIONIST. ← Page 5 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
dressed in a dark grey kniekerbocker suit . Arriving at the top of the steps , and walking on the summit of the land , a sight at once animated and exciting meets my A'iew . Hundreds of people in holiday attire are Avalking about , ancl AA'herever I look flags are flying . I saunter along a splendid roadway , adorned on either side by beds of flowers of brilliant colours and of rare perfume . Passing into the crowd , I go toAvards a large mansion of many storiesbuilt in the centre of the plateau and standing Avithin its own
, ornamental grounds , where fountains continually play and splash . In these beautifully kept grounds the band is performing . The mansion , Avhich seems to be a large hotel of palatial proportions , is filled to overflowing with company far superior in looks , dress , and manners to the mass of the people . This gay company is evidently awaiting my arrival , and loudly greet , me . I nonchalantly Avalk on as if I perfectly understood all about italbeit I am as much surprised as any mortal can be , and wonder what is the
, aim and end of such proceedings . I pass the hotel and cheering multitude , ancl proceed to an enclosed space just by , Avhere the band is stationed , and also , as far as I can judge , a select party of the elite as Avell as of la crime de la creme of the fashionable world . Maybe Kings and Queens , Princes ancl Princesses , Lords and Ladies , autocrats and aristocrats , patricians all , mingled in laughing and talking profusion . They look very
grand , very nice . Dame , sire , and oft-spnng , Aged nobility , Golden youth—tho pink of beauty mixed Avith the drab of fashion and the mould of form . This enclosure ran doAvn to the edge of the high land ; apparently I knoAV Avhat is wanted , or expected , from me . BoAving , I pass the distinguished persons of rank ancl quality , and proceed to the clear space close to the extreme edge of the precipice , ancl take my stand . A little noise in the rear attracts my attention . I turn , ancl see a tall venerable man , snoAV-Avhite with ageand of imposing mien . He advances towards me with hands extendedand ives a
, , g friendly greeting , at the same time he asks permission to be allowed to forestall the display of my acts of volitation , and assures me that he knoAvs the secret is only confined to the power of the will , and courage . To look at this hale old gentleman , no one would gainsay his courage ; but feeling a great responsibility with regard to other people ' s precious lives , I at once try to dissuade him from his purpose , and beg that he will forego his volitational attempt . Iu vain is all talkhis mind is made . As a last
; up resource , I advise him to go down the steps to the saloon , and , as a safe experiment , float up to the top of the table-land . It is of no avail ; his will is as strong as my will , and stronger . So proceed he must . I nOAV learn that my fame as a Volitationist has extended to this country , that I have been announced ancl expected , ancl that this grand gathering is entirely on my account .
I do not altogether like the idea of being publicly exhibited ; but as I am situated there is no help for it , no Avay out of it . Hoivever , I make up my mind to get away as soon as possible . My venerable acquaintance is getting impatient ; he wishes to essay for himself , what to me is only a pleasure , but Avhat I fear to him -will be—death ! I offer to go down the steps with , him and to float upwards from the low-lving ground . " " ! ! he and others exclaim
" No No " . ¦ " Let him try , " is shouted by many voices . I turn and address myself to the assemblage : I beg of them not to facilitate the probable ancl imminent destruction of this brave old man , by encouraging him to jump off this fatally dangerous height . The response is , — - " Let him doit , if he will . "
I implore , nay , supplicate him , not to try the rash experiment . He answers proudly . — " You Avill do it , ancl so will I . " At a given signal the band strikes up , salutes are fired , ancl , with a wave of the hand , the brave old man leaps off the giddy cliff ; then , instead of floating , ho falls ! uver and over he goes , until—thud ! He has reached the bottom , and there he lies , a mangled , lifeless heap of clothes , broken bones , and flesh ancl blood .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
dressed in a dark grey kniekerbocker suit . Arriving at the top of the steps , and walking on the summit of the land , a sight at once animated and exciting meets my A'iew . Hundreds of people in holiday attire are Avalking about , ancl AA'herever I look flags are flying . I saunter along a splendid roadway , adorned on either side by beds of flowers of brilliant colours and of rare perfume . Passing into the crowd , I go toAvards a large mansion of many storiesbuilt in the centre of the plateau and standing Avithin its own
, ornamental grounds , where fountains continually play and splash . In these beautifully kept grounds the band is performing . The mansion , Avhich seems to be a large hotel of palatial proportions , is filled to overflowing with company far superior in looks , dress , and manners to the mass of the people . This gay company is evidently awaiting my arrival , and loudly greet , me . I nonchalantly Avalk on as if I perfectly understood all about italbeit I am as much surprised as any mortal can be , and wonder what is the
, aim and end of such proceedings . I pass the hotel and cheering multitude , ancl proceed to an enclosed space just by , Avhere the band is stationed , and also , as far as I can judge , a select party of the elite as Avell as of la crime de la creme of the fashionable world . Maybe Kings and Queens , Princes ancl Princesses , Lords and Ladies , autocrats and aristocrats , patricians all , mingled in laughing and talking profusion . They look very
grand , very nice . Dame , sire , and oft-spnng , Aged nobility , Golden youth—tho pink of beauty mixed Avith the drab of fashion and the mould of form . This enclosure ran doAvn to the edge of the high land ; apparently I knoAV Avhat is wanted , or expected , from me . BoAving , I pass the distinguished persons of rank ancl quality , and proceed to the clear space close to the extreme edge of the precipice , ancl take my stand . A little noise in the rear attracts my attention . I turn , ancl see a tall venerable man , snoAV-Avhite with ageand of imposing mien . He advances towards me with hands extendedand ives a
, , g friendly greeting , at the same time he asks permission to be allowed to forestall the display of my acts of volitation , and assures me that he knoAvs the secret is only confined to the power of the will , and courage . To look at this hale old gentleman , no one would gainsay his courage ; but feeling a great responsibility with regard to other people ' s precious lives , I at once try to dissuade him from his purpose , and beg that he will forego his volitational attempt . Iu vain is all talkhis mind is made . As a last
; up resource , I advise him to go down the steps to the saloon , and , as a safe experiment , float up to the top of the table-land . It is of no avail ; his will is as strong as my will , and stronger . So proceed he must . I nOAV learn that my fame as a Volitationist has extended to this country , that I have been announced ancl expected , ancl that this grand gathering is entirely on my account .
I do not altogether like the idea of being publicly exhibited ; but as I am situated there is no help for it , no Avay out of it . Hoivever , I make up my mind to get away as soon as possible . My venerable acquaintance is getting impatient ; he wishes to essay for himself , what to me is only a pleasure , but Avhat I fear to him -will be—death ! I offer to go down the steps with , him and to float upwards from the low-lving ground . " " ! ! he and others exclaim
" No No " . ¦ " Let him try , " is shouted by many voices . I turn and address myself to the assemblage : I beg of them not to facilitate the probable ancl imminent destruction of this brave old man , by encouraging him to jump off this fatally dangerous height . The response is , — - " Let him doit , if he will . "
I implore , nay , supplicate him , not to try the rash experiment . He answers proudly . — " You Avill do it , ancl so will I . " At a given signal the band strikes up , salutes are fired , ancl , with a wave of the hand , the brave old man leaps off the giddy cliff ; then , instead of floating , ho falls ! uver and over he goes , until—thud ! He has reached the bottom , and there he lies , a mangled , lifeless heap of clothes , broken bones , and flesh ancl blood .