Mr. B. Oh, yes! I’m willing to take hold: course you’ll take little something off the price.
Mr. D. No labor, no actual labor, will be required of you. My system involves only circles and opposite electricities. In the first place, it will be necessary to ascertain whether your electrical currents are opposite.
Mr. B. Well, how will you do it?
(Mr. D. brings in an old-fashioned flax-wheel, or some yarn-winders, or any thing that can be made to turn round. After solemn preparation, he whirls this rapidly for a minute or two.)
Mr. D. to Squire R. Have the kindness, now, sir, to touch lightly the circumference of this machine.
(Squire R. touches, and hops away with a loud cry, dropping his cane.)
Mr. D. to Mr. B. Now you, sir. (Mr. B. hesitates.) Don’t be afraid: it is quite harmless.
(Mr. B. touches, and, with a scream, gives a leap in the opposite direction, rubbing his arms, and looking frightened.)
Mr. D. All is well. The electrical conditions are fulfilled: the one sprang to the east, the other to the west.
Mr. B. (glancing at the machine, and rubbing his arm). Mighty powerful!