Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-21
FROM THE WINCHESTER REPUBLICAN.

4 SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUPPLEMENT-,
0RTHEMAN THAT HAS READ THE SUPPLEMENT- \
AN HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, by JUpEUS APELLA.
s'Truth is stranger than iction."-Englsh Preverb.
ale yrai nest pas toujours vraisemblable."
81 IErench Prouerb.
s'E vero es mas improbable que 81 fa!so."
[SpQnish Prouerb.
And ii hardly admits of a doubt that The same
idea is conveyed in some fora Of apo,hegm in ev-
cry other language living or dead. !,
Thus embOIdened by authority, | am brave to tell
the story Of The man that rsa'i the Supplement"
During very pleasant visit 10 the town ofS--
but few days since, it was my good fortune, a
mong many other kindly and hospitable eoureses
extended by the warm hearted citizens of that bor-
ouch, to spend an evening with Col. -. The
company was all that is embraced in the imperfect
tense of the subjuncve mood of the verb $50 be-"
(no, meaning TO imply any in,peysction--I scorn
the imputalion.) mean to say that il was all
that it Knight, could would or should be;" and the
host-but Why speak of the host ? we Judge man
by the company he keeps and the host Of that com.
pany, of course, was ''one that could take upun him
10 be 'hosl' indeed"- regular ';pss agmen.'
"But 20 the theme now laid aside TOO long"
talkings, some tough yarns were spun, and: as will
sometimes happen, pleasant rivalry drew forth
some strains, which like the ScoliishT larry WOO :"
were 'hard to spin" 1t remained, however, for
our daring host to place the cap sheaf on the shock
of improbabilites, when he announced II kno,o a
man that has read The Supplement~
al would yUu had been there 10 see" the effectoi
this startling asseriion-he sudden pause, the va
ried expressions Of surprize-some guests striving
10 be polite and struggling to conceal their incredu-
ty, others expressing, as plain as eyes could speak,
"Can ana one beat hat?" and warm friends and
relatives 10 the host looking al on array from him
in anxious suspense | could but observe one, his
near relative and nearer connexon, n gentleman
high in fame and station, IS in stature, and no less
high in the regards of all who know him, who cast
his eyes TO the ground in painful concern. ''And
silence slumbered IN the banquet hall"
The host, who had anticipated the effect and was
prepared for the emergency, was first 10 break the
magic spell he gravely repeated his assertion, and
said he was able 10 prove IL. "Who IS The man 2"
shouted dozen voices, among which recognized
that of one, member Of the Convention, who has
contributed to give moments of pleasant relief 10
the labors OF this modern Hercules. "IPho is the
man?" "Heis," said our host, ''.Nr. -, the
night watch Of the L,ma,ic .4syium"
The scene which followed must be imagined
The Superintendent Of 'that twice blessed charity"
was present, and one might have thought that his
well earned fame, the just reward oYyears of pa
lient toll and care and self devotion, would have
been blasted on the instant. You should have heard
the torrent Of explanations, questions and remon-
srances which poured forth upon him. elias the
poor creature nothing else to read 20 cried one.
ale must sleep on his post under such an opiate,
said another "Do you wish to make patient of
one of your offcers?' asked third. "Have you
considered that the Constitution Of the United
States and the Bill of Rights Of Virginia protect
citizens against cruel and unusual punishmen,s 2"
solemnly enquired fourth. And so Thought the
whole diapason rang enquries. protests and excla-
nations. am happy, however, to say that no
blame attaches to the Superintendent, but that, on
the contrary, he was as much shocked as the rest
of u.s. and evidently heard the strange story for the
first time. 1t can only be regarded, therefore, as
penental observance, selflnflcted by the uufortu-
male gentleman himself.
will add, in conclusion that during my stay |
made several visits TO that noble Asylum, and en-
deavored 10 get sight Of this "Rara ,fpis,' but
without success my visits, however, were in the
day, and presume he was sleeping of the Effects.
The main incident of this true narrative may
not be generally believed but 81 tell the tale as
twas told me-" and for myself rest happy in the
privilege of believing, accorded by Horace to
JUDRUS APELLA.