ECCENTRICITIES OF ELECTRICITY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1097, 26 April 1883, Page 3

ECCENTRICITIES OF ELECTRICITY.

The Philadelphia Press nays:—A gentle m«n leaning "gainst one of the iron pillars in Dooner's Oafe, a few evenings ago, was observed to pitch suddenly forward, and nearly fell on the marble floor. He turned very pale and looked about him to see whether his involuntary ac'ion had been noticed: It did not appear to have been, and he walked back to the pillar and examined it critically. Then he walked ar.-und it nnd l«oked up to the ceilingHe looked at the floor, and then, to satisfy himself whether the post had moved fiom its place and kicked him, he pressed hard Bgainst it with the palm of his hand. In another instant the gentleman was seen sprawling on the floor. He got up, and finding that he was beginning to attract attention, he walked back and sought Mr Dooner. "It this place haunted," he asked, "or have you a familar spirit which knocks people down I" Then he explained what had taken place. " Nonsense," said Mr Dooner, "show me the post, and I'll hug it if you say so." Mr Dooner was shown the post, and he put his arms around it. But it was not for long. In less than two seconds Mr Dooner was where his guest had been a I few minutes before. At the same time a howl of rage was heard in the bar-room. Mr Dooner ran back, A man was stand- j ing there with a half emptied glass of wine in his hands. " What does this mean The demanded. •' I attempted to take a drink and a shock went through me like a galvanic battery. Do you " He was interrupted bv another man, who entered suddenly, with a yell and a muttered imprecation. "Whit's the matter here?' he asked, rather angrily, "I put my hand on an iron post out there," pointing to the cafe," and I believe I'm paralysed." By this time a group of excited men had gathered around; " No, gentlemen," ventured a little man, who was smiling broadly ; it's nothing of the kind. These gentlemen have all received an electric I shock. Make an investigation and see if lam not right." The hetel proprietor sent for the manager of the Electric Power Co. He came back in less than 20 minutes ! ami solved the mystery. It was found thnt a steel screw, from which depended an electric light, had been pushed too far through the lath and plaster, and dame in contact with an iron girder. The girder rests on the pillar, and the base of the pillar rested on another girder beneath the floor. The gentlemen who were knocked down had completed the circuit by touching the post, and the man who thought he was drinking molten lead did the same by placing hit foot on tLe maml

rail in front; of tbe bar after he had lifted the gkss to his lips. The screw was given u half turn hack, the circuit was broken and everybody was relievo-l.