The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-02-01
&IS0lEhLAY YlE DySo
A LUNATIC's CUNNING.

OF years ago parish officer from The neiul
oornoou oil MIddIetown took unalc It
me asylum pursuant to an order signed bv
'"o magistrates. AS tho man was respect
'''y oo"noCHu. gig was hired for the pur
pdse' and he was persuaded that it was
merely an excursion of pleasure on which
ne was going. In the course CT The Journey |
however, something occurred to arouse
'he suspicious OF the unalic with respec
TO his real destinations; bu, he said nothing
On the subject, made no resis,ance, apdl
seemed to enjoy hisjauat When!hev arri
Ved at Lancaster il was too ate in tho even
ing to proceed to the Asylum, and ,hey took
up their quarters for the night at an inn
Very early in the morning tue lunatic 90
nP' and searched the pockets of the officer
we're he found the magistrates order for
MS own detention which Uf course lie, him
completely into the secret With that Gun
ning which madmen not unfrequeutly dis.
Iplay, made the best Of his way TO the Asy.
ium, saw one of the keepers, told him ,ha
ne had go' sad mad fellow down a, Ian.
'as'eI' whom he should bring up in the
course of the day, adding He's very
queer fellow, aud has got very odd ways
For instance, should not wonder ;C he
was 10 say was the madman, and ,ha,
he was bringing ne, but you mus, take
care of him and not believe a word he saws :
The keeper of couse promised compliance.
and the lunalic, walked back to the inn
where he found the overseer still fast asleep
tie awoke him, and they sal down to
breakfast together. 'You're verv lazy
fellow to be laying in bed all day. bavt
Nad good long walk this morning. In
Iced, said the overseer, i should like &c
nave walk after breakfast; perhaps yor
viii 60 with me- The lunalic consented
and after breakfast, they set out, the over
seer leading the way towards the ASYLUM
attending 10 his charge; bu, it neve. occurred
10 him to examine whether his order was
safe. When they got within sight of the
asylum, the lunaic exclaimed, What q
hne house this is! Yea said the over.
'eer, Il should like TO see the inside of H.
/ Well, said the other, i dare say they will
rt us look lhrough however, III ask. :
they wen, to the door: The overseer rang
The oeIl; and the keeper, whom the Iunatic
mad previously seen, made his appearance
with two or three assistants.
The ovelseertheC began TO tumble in mis-
pockets for the order, when the lnnatic
produced it ant gave it to the keeper say
ing This is the man spoke to you about
you will take care OF him, shave his head,
and ruI straight waisIcoat upon him
The man Immediately laid hand upon the
poor overSeer, who vociferated loudly that
the other was a madman, and he The keep.
rr; but as this only seemed to confirm the
story previously told by the Iunatc il did
not at all procure his liberation. lie was
taken away, aud became so very obslrepre-
lus, that straight wastcoal was speedily
put upon him, and his mead shaved Secun
dum Grfem. Meanwhile the Iunalic walk
ed deliberately back to the inn, paid the
reckoning, and SET out on his journey home
ward. Tie good people were Of course
lot LILLE surprised on finding the wrong
nan return; they were afraid thai the lu
natic in fit of frenzy had murdered ME
'verseer; & they asked him with great trep
Ia,OL what he had done wiih--?'Dont
with him. said the ma oman, 'Why lef
i'm at Lancaster Asylum, ravirg mad, ,
which indeed, was not very far from IN,
rulhi for the wits of the poor ovcrseer wer'
we'll nigh overset by his unexpected delen
ion and subsequent treatment, further inqui
ry " as forthwith made, aud il was ascel
aimed that The man was actually in III
Asylum A magistrates order was procu
4 led for his liberation; and he re urned hom
with handkerchief tied round his head
! leu of the covering which nature had bt
slowed upon it,