Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-24


taken.
:. Well, well, Doctor! Let that be now;
| can't resolve doubts now-no, no." he replied
solemnly---'tls time for action-tor action, lie
continued, gradually elevating his voice. using
vehement sesticuation. and rising from his seat.
Yes, Yes,'' said | warmly; out though
you've followed closely enough the advice OF the
Tamudist. in shaving of your eyebrows, as
preparatory ~
Aha, aha !--What have YOU seen the lal-
mud Have you allys---Wel," he added, after
doubtful pause, sin what do you think I've
failed eh."
RI need hardly say, that | myself scarcely
knew what led me to utter the nonsense u ques..
ton; but | have several times found IN cases oi
insanity, that suddenly and readily supplying
motive for the patients conduct---reierrtng TO a
cause, of some sort or other, with steadtast IN
trenidity even be the said cause never so prepns-
terously absurd, has been attended win the
happiest effects, in arresting the patients at'en,
ton. Ginning in with his eccentric tane'es, anu
piq,ei,g his dstur bed faculties into acqulescenre
IA what he sees cooly taken for granted as quite
true---a thing OF cOarse'--tneTe mat'er-o'-'ae'-
bv the person he is addressing. nave se'era'
times recommended this device to them VINO nave
been entrusted with the care Of the insane, and
have been assured Of its success.
..You are very near the mark own, but 1t
strikes me that yoo have shaved them oft too equal
". too uniformly. Yon ought to have left some
little ridges-iurrows- hem. -to-to ter
inmate. or resemble the-the-stripcd Stick which
Jacob held up before the ewes"
..Ob-aye-aye? Exactiy-true!- strange
oversight" he replied, as if struck with the truth
of the remark, and yet puzzledby VAN attempts 10
corroborate it by his own recollections; I'll
recollec, it now, but it isn't too late yet, Is it!'
IL think not" replied. with apparent hest
tation, hardly crediing the success OF my strange
stratasem. .sTo be sure, it will require very
great delicacy; but as you've not shaved them OH
rery closely, think can manage it, $ l con-
luued douofuily." -,
..Oh, oh. oh!'' growled the maniac, while his
ewes flashed fire at me. There's one sitting by
me that tells me you are dealing falsely with me
oh. you villain! Oh, YOU wretch
At that moment the door opened gently behind
me. and the voice of Mr., the apothecaty,
WHISPERED in a low hurried tone, ''Doctor, I've
got three of the importers here IN the sitting
ROOM
Though the whisper was almost inaud'ble to
me when uttered close to my ear, to my utter
amayement M-had heard every syllable OF 1t,
and understood It too, as if some official mlnion
conveyed the intelligence to him.
-Ha--ha-ha--Fools! knaves
harDies. and what are you and your three hir-
cd desperadoes, to ME? Thus-thus do | Outwit
you. foo!s-thus!' and springing suddenly from
his seat he threw up the lower part ct the WIN
dow frame. and looked through it, then at the
razor. ard again al me, with one OF the most aw-
full olances-full Of dark diabollcal meaning, the
momentary suggestions of the great temper, that
| ever encountered IN my lfe
(Which which !---whch.' he muttered
fercey through his closed teeth, while his right
foot rested on the window seat, ready Tor him to
sprinn cut. and his eye travelled, as before, ra'
pidly from the razor to the window. Can any
thing be conceived more palsying to the behold
ers? Why did not YOU and your strong rein
torcenent spring at once upon HIM. and over,
pDwer him?' possibly, some one Is asking. Ana
and he armed with naked razor? His head
might have been severed from his shoulders, be-
fore we could have o,er-mastered him-or we
might ourseiyes-at least one of us-have been
murdered in the attempt. We knew MOI what
10 do! M-suddenly withdrew his head from
the window, through which he had been gazing.
with shuddering, hOrror-stricken molon. and
groaned--. No! no. no.--I won't can't-for
there's T-stan'ing just beneath, his lace all
blazing, and waiting WIZ huVS!redu arms w Ca'oh
me-" standing. at the time. shading his eyes
with his left hand-wheu wllispered-' Now,
now 60 up to him--secur' n'm--ail three spring
ON him al once. and disac'p hin!" They obey
ed me, and were in the act Of rushing into the
room, when VI suddenly planted himself
in posture of defiance, elevated the razor to
his throat, and almost howied-" One steP-one
step nearer-and I'll sou mo1onins as
though he would draw it from one ear to the 9th
er. We ali fell back; horror-struck, and in ST.
! lence. What could we do? If we moved to-
wards him, or made of any threatening ges'
ture. we should see the floor in an instant de'ug-
I ed with his blood. once more crossed my arms
I on nv breast, with an air of mute submission.
"Ha-ha.' he exclaimed, after pause. evil
IDENTIFY pleased with such demonstration Of his
power, . obedient however!-come-that's one
merit. But still, what set of co"ards-bul-
lies-cowards YOU must all be:--What!-ail
four of Won afraid of oae MANI" In the course
of his frantic gesticulatons. he had drawn the ra-
zor SO close to his neck, that its edge had slight
" grazed the skin under his left ear, that little
blood trickled from it over his shoulder and