Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-23
MISC L LII A N Y
Madness with Method in 1t.


Under this head, the Philadelphia Times has
the following:
On Wednesday last. neatly dressed, very
prepussessing aud prettily spoken woman. some
where between sixteen and twenty five years o
aye. drove up to the door ot the Insane Hospital
over which Dr.-presides, and inquired fol
that gentleman. She was uShered INTO the recep-
tion room. ard awaited the coming of the doctor
with an air of nonchaience which rather ascinat
ed the servant. who looked upon her with eyes %,
admiration and unfeiGned pleasure. When left
alone, she amused herself, as woman always
will. in gratifying her curiosity by inspecting the
various articles in the room critically and thorough
| IL. The doctor being announced, she received
| him with one of those bewiderng smiles which
some women know how 50 well to best0w, and
whose influence no man of feeling can resist
The doctor welcomed her with more than usua
warmth aud suon learned the object of her visit.
| She had come, she said. witha glance full o
melancholy. and tone of more than womany
tenderness, to ascertain of the doctor, III person
whether she could secure private quarters for hei
! husband who was subject to intense his of aber-
ration Of mind, but whose conduct towards her
bitter and cruel as it was cuud not aienate he'love
for him, which was the all pervading passion OF
her soul Ho had grown SD violent of late that
sing wished to have him secured from violence tn
hmself as we'll as to her, (and here the charming
creature wept for some mamcnts.) and II she
could make an arrangement with the doctor, she
urued that it should be kept as private as her
most secret thoughts. and her husband beyond
the scrutiny of visitors. And then she said her
heart would break, she knew it would, and wept
bitterly and long
| The doctor, as all who know his kind and tender
heart will Imagine, was not lnsensible IL
the touching recital OF his visitor, and with that
rankness which always characrerizes him, he
promised To comply wiia her " shes to Give her
husband private apartment and his special care
and also to SHIELD him trnm the gaze Of curiosity
seekers vino run down public institutions.
The lady was not long in arranging terms she
was nut long in expressing her thanks, inermn
gled with tears she was not long in settling the
details of her husbands confinement; she was
not long, in short. in taking her leave. And as
she stepped in her carriage, aided by the kline
hand of the duc;or, she turned her beautiful face
towards him. and cast upon him a glance tina
was full of tenderness and solieiude aud inspired
him anew with admiration and pity.
The c1rrare drove away, the doctors eyes
folluwed. amid the clouds OF dust which followed
in its wake. until 1t was entirely lost in view
Down To the bridge. along the crowded thorough
fare. over The pehbIed way of Chesnut street 10
fashionable, ifnot the most fashionable jewelry
establishment of our city. the carriage passed, it
sweet and solitary inmate glancing out and smil
ing within, and growing radiant with a though
that requires another paragraph 10 learn.
She aghed aud gded into the bazaar ofgolc
and silver aud precious stones with all he statell
ness of queen Oae or two of the genllenanly
attendants ran to learn her wishes. She wanted
10 select set of silver ware, not too elaborate II
design or Workmanship, nor yet too plain; soma
thing neat, tasteful and beautiful. The various
patterns were shown, and set valued at S3Ot
was selected By the lady OF stately tread. Sht
desired the article to be put up a bill made ou
and she would settle it, Her wishes were com
piled with, and the lady look out her elegant pnr
mama e. bat alas! there was but $40 in it. Sh'
had picked up her wrong porte monnae. she said
with bewitching sweetness, and sad she was
vexed at her stupidity. She, however. could ar
range it. She was the wife of DR., iht
pri"eital physician nf the Insane Hospital, an,
she desired her attendant To accompany her Il
that place, when she would pay him at once
Who could resist such request from beautiful
wonan-request spoken as much with the eye
as the volcel Noi the clerk. certainly.
The twa gut into the carriage together ant
back it whired to the Hospital. The lady jump
ed from ,he carrage, and was warmly greeted b,
the Doctor, who was at the entrance
"Doctor, this is my husband" said she, witt
an air at once sweet aud s0rrowiul.
The poor attendant started. lie was sruc
aohasl. He could not tathom her meaning.
Nv hat did you say Z"
doctor. this is my husband please take hin
in charge"
The devil, madam. Pm not your husband
what do you mean -"
Bursting into tears she sobbed aloud, ''He ha
another spasn--he has another attack Oh Doc
tor. ii you have pity in Your saul, secure him, ,ant
save Yourself and me from violence"
In vain the poOr fellow attempted 10 explain
Z He was hurried along the corridor and into
ron. and confined Securely-he woman all th
while following chrse behind weeping as thong
her heart would break. The Ductor and the ad,
rs,nrned to the reception room, and the latter
after irving the oIher an outline oi the pecu!lari
ues If her alleged husbands attacks, togett e
wi,h snme directions in reference Ia the care shs
desired tn have bestowed upon him. she left
nr,misioc 10 return aran in few days. AnC
av,v w6,rled the carriage. the silver ware ant
| rho I,lv neither of which has been neard U
since.
The Door attendant was confined for three day
before any one about the establishment could D
Induced to convey letter to his employers, VIII
all the time were suspec'ing his honesty, an'
preparing to advertise him in the newspapers -
Up1n the receipt Of the letterit did not take then
lolg to discover that they had been sold mos
brilliantly and upon their appearance at the hos
pita, it did not take the Doctor long to discove
that he had been sold decidedly the poor atlen
liant was satisfied upon his arrival al the hospital