The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-02-13
THE DOOM
THE T0RY'S GUARD.
CHAPTER XIII,
BY NEWTON NJ. CURTIS.


On the day after her arrival at the
asylum Of doctor Morton, Alice was yisi-
ted in her room by coarse featured le-
male assistant ofthe Doctors, bearing in
her arms coarse striped dress, which
she commanded her to put on, in the
place oithe one she then wore. She was
forced TO comply, and the assistant left
her to pursue her own amusement, if such
could be found within the rough, cold
walls of an insane asylum cell. She could
not even bring herself to view her truly
deplorable situation with ahy thing like
patience or resignation. Shut out en-
tirely from the world, destitute of a COM
panion, or even book, she was compcll-
ed to pass away the tedious hours in per-
feet idleness, the most irksome situation
that can well be imagined, for one so
young, and naturally Of so lively dispo-
sition as Alice. Work was refused her,
and to all her entreaties for the privilege
of walk, or view of the earth and sky
without her dreary cell, the belorcmen-
toned assistant turned deaf year. She
very rarely saw the doctor. That worthy
conferred the responsibility Of the female
department Of his institution upon the as
sistant, who was the female above de-
scribed.
In this irksome manner, the summer
wore away, and the winter came. With
the advent of winter, came new suffer-
ing for her to andure, She was not al
lowed supply of fuel necessary 10 keep
up proper warmth in her apartment -
Her suAerings were sever, and she Oft
en- complained to female attendants, but
always in vain, for she was not needed,
Spring, bright balmy spring, came again
aud still Alice was confined to her apart
ment. Since her arrival in the hated
place, she had not seen the blue sky or
the green fields, as her apartment con-
tanned no window, all the light that she
received being admitted through the graf
ing of her door, from narrow passage
way Just in front, How she longcd for
the open air! how she wished TO hear
once again the sweet song of the birds,
and see the green fields and the glancing
streams.
One lovely afternoon, towards the close
of May, stranger arrived in the little
village in which doctor Morton resided,
and put up for the night at the only inn
of which the village boosted. He was a
middled aged man, with u fine intelectu-
al countenancc, and with carriage and
bearing that denoted great benevoIcnce.
He was well dressed, quite talkativc, and
from his discourse was evidently a man
of good education and information. AZ
ter ordering some refreshments, OF which
he partook, he cnquired of the landlord
if the village contained anything of note,
as he felt an inclination to take a stroll.
'Wc have nothing here sir replied
the landlord, that can interest stranger
There is however an insane asylum, kept
by doctor Morton, Of whom you have
probably heard, but a visit there is not
calculated to entertain any one,
An insane asylum replied the stran-
ger, Il am sure an institution of that
kind is cminently worth visit. Is 1t es-
tablishcd on a large scale"
NO sir replied the landlord. 'Thc
doctor has become somewhat celebrated
in the treatment Of insane persons, ant
he established his asylum the better tc
pursue his peculiar course Of treatmen.
| believe lie now has seven or eight
patients.
Docs he ever admit visitors; .cnquirct
the stranger; 'or is it altogether pr
vatc:'
oh! you will find no difficulty in OBJ
tanning admittance to all the wards Blu
one. That contains young female from
the north, | bolieve, whose case is 81
peculiar that the doctor never permits an
one to see her. In fact, l believe sh,
has not been seen since her arrival, b,
s any one save her nurse"
Indeed! hers must be an interesting
case, SAID the stranger; 'at all events
will pay him visit at once.
So saying the stranger Quilted the inn
and walking to the doctors residence
which was Immediately adjoining who
was termed the asylum. On being ad
mtted, he found the worthy disciple c
Escalapius seated at a table, and engae
ed in writing.
: Doctor said the stranger, upon enter
ing; Il do not mean to intrude, but irol
A the fame of your institution, | have bee
induced to make you visit. ] alway
felt an interest in any thing got up for I'll
relief of suffering humanity
No intrusion sir; lsaid the doctor, with
y bland smile rising and offering the strang
d! err chair. None in the least, sir; al
always happy to meet those who expires
u an interest in the welfare OF their fellows
Il am stranger to you;' replied tn
stranger, and as we have no natur;
friends near, | shall be obliged to il
troduce myself. My name is Schuyle
: and reside in Albany
Il am happy to make the acquain'
ance;' replied the doctor, IF you ar
' 's lawyer Schuyler | have often heard
i you, through fame
The stranger bowed and replied
70 ~ ,y, , l,wvpr hv nrofeecion and Nh