The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-20
From the Iris and Odd Fellows Minor.
t He ESTERN MANIAC;
OR,
MY LANDLORDS MANUSCRIPT.
BY WIN. r. CREERY


lord' came over to me, and whispered that
| | would soon be conducted to the maniac's
chamber. The queer old fellow had dis
appeared, how or in what way could not
J see. Breaking my resolution, asked my
landlord if that old man who sat in the cor
ner was the maniac He laughed right
tout, and wondered if really did think that
they would let a raving maniac at large !?
Rising, he said, sWe can 60 now, follow
me.' Ascending pair of stairs, we passed
along corridor for some distance. AS the
crisis approached, my courage began to
grow small, and shook as with an ague,
when hating before large door, heard
the rattling of chains, and the wild cry, soh!
Mary, where are you3 Revenge Revenge!
Revenge!' You have paid dearly for your
WHISTLE whispered Judgment, 'but you
must stick it OUT said cowardice.
1 The door opened and we entered the
room. A man in chains, with his back to
me, was the first object my eyes fell on.
Hearing us in the room, he turned and cast
demoniacal gaze upon mel trembed be-
meath his glance.
"Let US go nearer said my landlord, he
cannot molest US, you see he is in chains,
! did see it-but somehow | thought
would like to be near the door. raised
my eyes, and looked again at him, to see
if he looked like the sold fellow Of down
stairs butt could trace no resemblance
A husky and hyena like growl made me
raise my peppers again, and as Johns alive
the crazy fellow had loosed his chains, and
was making towards me. Having my hand
on the door, easily got outside, and shot
for dear life, bawling at the top ofmy voice
I-ethe maniac's out the maniac's out run
for your life.' In less time than you could
say, ;9Jack the giant Killer was down
stairs in the parlor, advising the young man
and woman to escape if they valued their
lives.
: Apparently surprised, they assured me
that need not be alarmed, as the person
who had gone up with me, could easily
manage him. did not believe him, and
/ determined to take care of number one SO
boiling out, was soon back to eThe Ira
veller's Home ; had my horse out of the
stable, and was on my journey, having got
enough of maniac's.'
Some years after the above inglorious
g fugit," my business led me on the same
track. determined this time to avoid the
C Travellers Home," lest | might hear
! something more about maniacs. So taking
another road | thought to avoid my old
landlord. Night came on and rode up to
a gerteel looking house-(a public house)
bod NV horca mt a,yau and xpoIL al into
the ception-room. Imagine my amaze
ment on beholding my landlord of former
days, as sovereign of the establishment
was now in. The "queer old fellow''
with pepper and salt breeches, thcbly
sown, white buckskin vest, short flannel
coat, and fiery red night cap, who sat in
i the corner, with maniac up stairs to boot,
came rushing into my memory. My land
lord, no doubt perceiving my confusion,
Immediately babe me welcome to all the
t pleasures of his house; and hoped that !
would make myself " at home" His hos
pitable manner as formerly won my esteem,
and in sprightly conversation partially for
got the terrors of the past. Supper over
Ithe fates would have it so,) we were left
alone as on the night Of the reading of the
manuscript"
Wishing to escape like occurrence, !
begged for light that | might retire, and
t hoped that my fatigue would be sufficient
: apology for my condnct.
!, I" 1t is early" said my landlord, "why in
I so great haste2 We have not met for some
time Come let US have social chat
over stiff glass of Old Rye" l'll ac-
cept no refusal-here's seat ready for
your taking"
The horn of another dilemma was about
to gore me-and | unprepared for an es-
cape.
ssLandlord," said !, "I'll meet you half
way. Adjourn the cold Rye" and I'LL
take seat"
"Agreed," Immediately responded he !;
and the decanter vanished from the table
} as if by slight of hand.
: Some how or other | could not help
: thinking that the old fellow had peculiar
liking for nv company, and for what rea-
son | could not divine. Being seated he
looked rather seriously at me, and inquired,
, if cherished resentment strange ques-
!, ton that thought !, and rather foreign to
: any subject that | have conversed with
$ him about But it had nothing to do with
al. 7 oo,,1J