The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-13
MISCELLAN EOUS.
THE IDIOTS EVIDENCE.
A "REMINISCENCES.

WHOEVER has happened TO visit the pleas.
anily situated village Of Blue Anchor,
Bridgewa,er Bay, Somerseishire,( Eng. )can
hardly have failed notice on its extren-
" q pielei.tious sor of cottage in the Chi E,
ma paaoda style, with round pepper box.
looking structure aiihe gate entrance, dig.
nified by the name of "Porter's Lodge
This edlfice was bul by Mr.. Wainwright,
Of Bethnal Green, London, who having
scraped together "A handsome compe, ency
suddenly determined upon exchanging his
business aud his b,chelor.hood for the re-
tiremeni Of Blue Anchor, near where hs
was born, and marriage with good looking
widow OF less than half his own age, but
amply lowered with five small chiClen.-
Welded bliss did moi agree with Mr.. Vain.
wright for after The schievment Of Labur.
mum Villa lefi him nothing TO do but TO sip
its sweets continually, he afer moping
through abou, six months Of restless life
sank with entire resignation, the minister
said, To his final rest, leaving Mrs Wan.
wright. by will made in The iirst week o|
The honey moon, absolute mistress Of some
twelve thousand pounds ia the funds, in
addition 10 Laburnum Villa and its appurte
nances-of every hing, in short Of which h
had died seized or possessed. We OF Blue
Auchor had bu, brief opportunity Of nolic'
ing how the widow OF her second husbanc
bore her sorrow, one little month only hav
ing passed away before she !ook her depart
ure for London; and painted board, stuck
in The front flower garden, announ ced
iha, Laburnum Villa and grounds were 10
be sold further paiiculars oblainaned OF
Mr.. Holford, Blue Anchor.
Mr.. HoliOrd was my father, who, having
had one slighl- acquaintance with Mr.
and Mrs Wainwright had undertaken Il
keep an eye upon The properly, as well
as over Joel Barton, the gate keeper, ant
Mistress Fanny Denvir, o, Bennett there
being in some persons opinion consideIa
BILE doubt upon this point the youthful
housekeeper lett in charge OF The iulerior o
Laburnum Villa. Joel Barlon was parish
boy, having been born, bred, educated =
that is, taught 10 read without much spell
ing, and 10 write inielligidly TO persons
skilled in caligraphcal difficulties = in tn.
work house. He had but one relation, {
decripil, amos, bedridden mother ;and il
other respects, was emphalically the chill
OF calamity. In person he was greatly de
formed, aud his large coarse featured head
squat, as il were upon his broad shoulders
aud pro'udiny back and breast would have
presented an altogether repulsive aspect
but Tor The fine, dark eyes which have
oilen seen kindled into lus,rous expires
sion OF sad eloquence when words OF kind
hess Tell upon his ear. The unfortunate
lads intellect, loo, was unsound- unsettled
sometimes thought. might be The iruel
description by the 6oy.rabble OF Blue An
chor he was always addressed and spoken
OF a' Foolish, or Mad Joey" The
,aunts aud iorn,en,s TO which he was expo
sed OIL account of his mental infirmiiy
ceased at about his fifteenth year, bis
remarkable strength Of arm, ponderosiiy I"
hist. and herce courage at that age, effect
ually protecting him from over.annoyance
Nevertheless he did not cease 10 be spoken
Of as half crazed, sullen, dangerous per.
son, whom, spite Of some good qualities
such as honesty, fidelity, truihfulness, i,
was prudent Too as much as possible Il
avoid ;and there could be no ,loub, that the
persecution 10 which he had been SO many
years exposed, had quickened and exaspef
aled whatever OF sinister predisposi,ion wa.
la,en, in his imperfeclly developed c,anium
With the exception OF his mother and Fann,
Bennett. | was about the only person for
whom he ever manifested confidence Of
respect, from my having been able 10 rem
der him some ,Iitling services. Fanny's
influence over him was Of very different
character, and inco 'nprehensihle, believe
10 himself, oEen confusedly wandering, as
| am sure he did. why i, was her brigh,
face and geo,le voice made his pulse bea,
and the dark chambers Of his braid liyh'en
with a troubled, halt fearful joy. And tho
child, beauty herself could a, ,ha, time,
have lille dreamed that The words and looks
OF compassionate Kindness which she be.
slowed on Foolish Joey would thereafter
have SO marked an effect upon her own
destiny, ,ha, her own life experience woul.I
furnish a striking illustration Of the wisdom
Of the injunction sci forth in her dame school
copy.book 10 Scorn not The afflicted no,
the ou,casi, for they are also Gods child
rem" This Fanny Bennett, was another Of
our village no,orieiies-lhad almos, written
calamil,es- folasmuch that al the perio,
Of which am speaking, il would have been
hard 10 decide which Of the two. the house
or ga,c.kecper had been the most unfor,u.
male in the louery Of life. OF very humble
pareniase-her father was a journeymar
market gardener. Fanny Bennett was one o