Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-03-08
A Lunalic's Cunning.

5 Avery laughable incident occurrt
y at lunatic asylum at Lancast'
about ten days ago, when an ofic'
a from the neighborhood had 10 charl
. a lunatic for the asylum, pursual
e TO an order signed by two magi
q trates. The mailman was respects
: IDLY connected, and a gig was hire
for the purpose, while he, was pc
suaded that it was merely an excu
. sion of pleasure on which he wa
going. In the course Of the jour
ney, however, something occurred t
arouse the suspicious of the lunati
with respect to his real destination
but be said nothing on the subject
made no resistance, and seemed t,
enjoy his jaunt. When they arrived
at Lancaster it was too late in tn,
evening to proceed to the asylum
and they took up their quarters foI
the night at an inn. Very early II
the morning the lunatic got up ani
searched the pockets ef the officer
where he found the magistrates, or
der for the detention. which Of course
let him completely into the secret
With that cunning which madmen not
unfrequently 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 a very queer fellow,
and he has got very queer Ways
For instance, ] should not wonder if
he was to saysIwas the madman, and
that he was bringing me; but you
must take good care of him and not
believe a word that 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 81 brood 9y W
! You're a lazy fellow to be sleep
ng all day; / have had long walk
his morning. said the lunatic.
Indeed said the officer, Il should
ike, to have a walk myself after
perhaps you will go with
ne.' 10 aoi'sgizsa ss a 5sss7ssI
The lunatic assented, and after
they set out, the officer
eading the way towards the asylum,
Intending, to deliver his charge; but
never occurred to him to examine
Ehether his order was safe. II,
When they got within sight Of
he asylum, the lunatic exclaimed:
Whats fine house that ISL
Yes said the officer, Il should
Ike to see the iaside OF it.
so should H. observed the luna
&C.. d a5iiH "a {i 8sa gfzn
well, l dare say they will let Us
hrough; | will ask was the re-
ponse. ~ b 81 Hra II ..f
They went to, the door; the Off 4
er rang the bell, and the keeper
hom the lunatic had previously
zen, made his appearance with two
T three assistants. The officer then
egan to tumble in bis pockets for :
ne order, when the ,lunatic produced {
and gave it to the keeper, saying:
his is the man ] spoke to you :
bout. You will take care Of him; 1
nave his head, and put straight ]
on him.. s &
The men Immediately laid hands 4
a the poor officer, who vociferated I
udly that the other was the mad> {
an, and he the officer; but, as this {
lly confirmed the story previously G
Id blythe lunatic, it did not at all t
nd to procure his Liberation. He j
IS taken away, and became 70 in I
furious that the straight c
aistcoat was speedily put on him. v
ID his head was shaved secundum h
tenn. .1iG edi aliM YsgTsial aIA
Meanwhile the lunatic walked de- p
'erately back 10 the inn, paid the g
ckoning, and set out on his jour- O
y homeward. The good people in Q
9 country we're, Of course, SUR q
ised on seeing the wrong man re-
rn; they were afraid that the luna
lin a fit of frenzy had murdered !
9 officer, and they asked him. with e
1ch trepidation, what he had done Q
tn Mr.. Stevenson. 8eI n 01m
Done with him?' said the mad 81
IN. why / left him At the Lancas. y
! Asylum as mad as h-E' which, b
iced, was not very far from tie .