Kansas weekly herald., 1855-06-01
VOLUME 1---NUMBER SO.
"a, LssasstSc's Css,sassasg.

sa, fanatics Cas1sag59sg.
A very laughable incident occurred at
the 1Hnatic ASYLUM at Lancaster, about
ten days ago. A parish officer from the
Ineighborhood of Middleton took lunatic
from the ASYLUM, pursuant to an order
signed by two magistrates; gig was
hired for the purpose, and he was persua-
ded 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 suspicious of the
lunatic with respect to his real destination,
but he said nothing on the subject, made
no resistance, and seemed to enjoy his
jaunt. When they arrived at Lancaster
1t was too late In the evening to proceed
to the ASYLUM, and they took up their
quarters for the night at an inn. Very
early In the morning the Mnatic got up
and searched the pockets of the officer,
where he found the magistrates order for
his own detention, which of course: lei
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:
He's very queer fellow, and has got
very odd ways. For instance should not
wonder if he was to say was the mad
man and that he was bringing me; bu1
you muat take care of him, and not be.
lieve a word he says
The keeper, of course, promised com.
pHance, and the lunatic walked back to the
inn, where he found the officer still fas
asleep. He woke him, and they sat down
to breakfast together.
"You're a lazy fellow to be sleeping al
day IL have had long walk this morn
ing," said the lunatic.
! Indeed" aaid the officer, 4 should
like to have walk myself after breakfast
perhaps you~will go with me ?''
The lunatic assented, and after break
fast they set out, the officer leading the
way toward the asylum, intending to de,
| liver his charge; but it never occurred t.
him to examine whether his order wa.
safe 2"
When he got within sight of the asylum
Ethe lunatic exclaimed:
"What a fine house that is!
E" Yes;" said the officer, /" shsuld like
to see the inside of it"
$50 should T." observed the lunatie.
"Well, l dare say, they will let u.
through 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 or three assistants. The officer bega1
to tumble in his pockets for the order, wher
the lunatic produced it, and gave it to the
keeper, saying;
"This is the man / spoke to you about
You will take care of him; shave his head
and put straight waistcoat on him"
The men Immediately laid hands upor
the poor officer, who vociferated loudly
that the other was the mad man, and he
the officer; but as this only confirmed the
STORY previously told by the lunatic, it die
not at all tend to produce his liberation
He was taken away, and became SO indig.
nantly furious that the strait waistcooa
was speedily put upon him, and his head
was shaved, secu,adens dTtens.
/ Meanwhile the lunatic walked deliber-
ately back to the inn, paid the reckoning
and set out on his journey homeward. The
good people in the country were of course
Esurprised on seeing the wrong man return
lthey were afraid that the lunatic, in a fit Of
frenzy, had murdered the officer, and they
asked him, with much trepidation, what he
lhad done with Mr.. Stevenson.
ssDone with him?" said the mad nan
I" why, left him at the Lancaster Asylum
as mad as h-l!" which indeed was no
very far from the truth; for the wits Of the
officer were well nigh upset, by his unex-
peeted deteation and subsequent treatment
Further inquiry was. forthwith made by
his neighbors, and it was ascertained thai
the man was actually in the asylum. A
magistrates order was produced for hi.
liberation, and he returned home with 6
Handkerchief tied rsund his head, in lieu
of the covering which nature had bestowed
iupon it.-sMaachester { Eng. Guardiaa
| tr Efss------
l., badly ScARkD.-Ths Abolition editor