The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-07-14
A Cunning Lunatic.

A very lavgbable incident occurred o. q
lunatic asylum at Lancaster, about ten days
ago. A parish officer from the neigbborhood
OF Middletown took lunstic to the asylum,
pursuant to an order signed by two nagis
rates. As the man was respectfully con-
nected, gig was hired for the purpose, and
he was persuaded that it was merely an OK
curslon 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 10 his real desti.
nation; but he said nothing on the subject,
made no resistance and seemed to enjoy his
jsuHt. 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 a. an inn, veTy va,''y IN the morn.
ing, the lunatic got up and searched the
pockets Of the officer, where he found the
magistrates order for his own detention,
which, Of course, let him completely into
the secret. With that cunning which mad.
men 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 a
mad fellow down ut Lancaster, whom he
should bring up in the course Of the day,
adding" lie is very queer fellow and he
has got very odd ways; for instance, should
not wonder if he should say was the mad
man, and that he was bringing me but you
must take care Of him, and not believe a
word he says"
The keeper, Of course, promised compli-
ancc, and the lunatic walked back to the inn,
where he found the officer fast asleep. He
awoke him, and they sat down to breaafa
together.
You're lazy follow to be sleeping all
day; have had long walk this morning"
said the lunatic.
Indeed" said the officer, 81 should like
to have walk myself, after breakfast; per-
haps you will 20 with me-
The lunatc aSscnted, and after breakfast
they st out, the officer leading the way TO-.
wards the asy um, intending 10 deliver hi,
charge; but it never occurred to him to cI.
anime whether his order was safe.
When they got within sight Of the asylum,
the lunatic exclaimed" What nice house
this s!'
"Yes," said the officer, 81 should ike TO
see the inside of it."
$50 should !, " observed the lnnatic
Well, dare say they will let US in
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 began TO
tumble in his pockets for the order, when the
lunatic produced it, and gave to the keeper,
saying" This is the man spoke to you
about. You will take care Of him, shave his
head, and pnta straight waistcoat on him."
The men Immediately laid hands on the
poor officer, who vocilerated loudly that the
other was the mailman, and he the officer :;
but as this only confirmed the story told by
the lunatic, it did not at all tend 10 procure
his liberation. He was taken away, and be.
came so Indignantly furious that the straight
waistcoat was speedily put upon him, and
his head was shaved secIndum artem.
Meanwhile the lunatic walked deliberately
back to the inn paid the reckoning and set
out on his journey homeward. The good
people in the country were, Of course, sur
prised on seeing e wrong man return !:
they were afraid that the lunatic, in a fit of
frenzy, had murdered the officer, and they
asked him. with much trepdation, what he
had done with Mr.. Stephenson.
"Donc with him. said the mailman
"why, left him in the Lancaster Asylum.
as mad as h. ."which, indeed, was not very
far from the truth, for the wits of the officer
were well nigh upset by his unexpected dc.
tention and subsequent treatment.
Farther inquiry was forthwith made by
his neghbors, and it was asccrtained that
the man was actually in the asylum. A
magistrates order was produced for Lis lib.
Grafton. and he returned home with hand
kcrchief tied around his head, ia lieu Of the
covering which nature had bestowed it.
UaHcheStsr tEogJ Guardida