The Empire County argus., 1855-06-09

A LuNATICs CUNNING. very laughabe Incl
dent occurred at lunatic asylum at Lancaster.
some time since. parish officer from the neigh
borhood of Middleton took lunatic to the asylum
pursuant to an order signed by two magistrates;
gig was hired for the purpose, and he was persuad
ed that it was merely an excursion of pleasure on
which he was going In the course of the Journey
however, something occurred to arouse the suspic-
ions of the lunatic with respect to his real destna
ton but he said nothing on the subject. made no
resistance, and seemed to enjoy his jaunt. When
they arrived at Lancaster it too late in the
nlng to proceed to the asylum, and they took up
their quarters for the night at an inn. Very early
in the morning the lunatic got up and searched the
pockets of the officers, where he found the magis-
trates order for his own detention, which of course
let him completely into the secret. With that
ming which madmen not infrequenty display, he
made the best of his way to the asylum, saw one
of the keepers and told him that he had got sad
mad fellow down at Lancaster, whom he should
bring up in the course of the day, adding:
Hes very queer fellow. and he has got very
odd ways For instance, should not wonder if he
to say was the mad man and that he was
bringing me- but you must take care OF him, and
not believe word he says
The keeper, of course promised compliance, and
the lunatic walked back to the inn, where he found
the officer still fast asleep. He awoke him, and
they sat down to breakfast together,
You're lazy fellow to be sleeping all day Il
have had long walk this morning" said the luna
tic.
Indeed" said the officer, 81 should like to have
walk myself after breakfast perhaps you will 60
with me q
The lunatic assented, and after breakfast they
set out the officer leading the way towards the asy
lum, intending to deliver his charge: but it never
occurred to him to examine whether his order was
safe.
When they got within sight of the asylum the
lunatic exclaimed:
What fine house that it!''
''Yes,' said the officer, Il should like to see the
inside of it,"
so should H. observed the unatc.
'Well, dare say, they will let us through Il
will ask" was the response.
They went to the door the officer rang the bell
and the keeper whom the lunatic had previously
seen made his appearance, with two oor three assist
ants. The officer then began to tumble in his pock
cts for the order when the lunatc produced it. and
gave it to the keeper saying;
This is the man | spoke to you about You will
take of him: shave his head, and put straight
wastc0at on him.
The men Immediately laid hands on the poor
officer, who vociferaed loudly that the other was
the mad man, and he the officer but rs this only
confirmed the story previously told by the lunatic.
it did not at all tend to produce his liberation He
was taken away and became SO Indignantly fur-
GUS that the straight waiscoat was speedily put
upon him. and his head was shaved, Secundem artem.
MEANWHILE the lunatc walked deliberately back
to the inn, paid the reckoning and set out on his
journey homeward. The good people in the coun
try were of course surprised. seeing the wrong
man return they were afraid that the unatic, in
fit of frenzy had murdered the officer and they
asked him, with much trepdaton, what he had
done with MIR. Stevenson.
Done with him z" said The mad man, ''why, |
left him at the Lancaster Asylum, as mad as h-l!'
which indeed was not very far from the truth for
the wits Of the officer were well nigh upset. by his
unexpected detention and subsequent treatment.
Further inquiry was forthwith made by his
nelghbors, and it was asceraned that the man was
actually in the asylum. magistrates order was
produced for his liberation and he returned home
with handkerchief tied around his head, in lieu
of the covering which nature had bestowed upon
it.--ManthSter Guardian.