Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-22
BY w. D. WALLACE.
INCIDENT IN AN INSANE ASYLUM.


The following narration exhibits something
of the craftiness and cunning of the insane bui
especially the tact and great presence of mind
necessary on the part of the conductors, partic.
ularly in emergencies, when dealing with their
patients
The former excellent matron, Mrs. Reid with
her attendant, generally called Elizie. had
gone, as usual in the morning, into the apart
ments OF the most raving females. They were
all yet in their separate apartments LEADING
into one long hall. On some occasion Mrs. r.
had gone forward to the farther end, and Elizie,
contrary TO regulations, had opened one of
the apartments, where a very strong insane
woman slept. This woman was sometimes yery
furious, and would not fear to commit any deed,
even to take life, if provoked. She had for
merly drank excessively, and was ardently
fond OF sherry wine; but there was no difficulty
In dealing with her when she knew that her
managers were stronger than herself On this
occasion, as Elizie entered, the bundle of KEYS
were imprudently left in the door and arrange
ments were making to bathe the insane woman.
watching carefully her opportunity, the wo-
man slipped by Elizie, shut the door and turned
the key; then, with the bound of a wild beast,
her eyes flashing with excitement, she spraDg
forward to Mrs. Reid, aud exclaimed, "Ob
Mother Reid! I've shut Elizie into my room,
nave got the keys, and you are in my power. -
Mrs held, being a person of only ordinary
strength, knew she could do nothing with her
but pleasantly replied, "W Well, and 80 what do
you propose to dO!' The fierce maniac replied,
N gong to shut you up, too; open the o.ht r
rooms, and let all the women out "WeII. .
said Mrs. Reid and what then?n sEThsn
i m going to San Francisco" was the reply.
why In those clothes you have got on 3''
SAID Mrs Reid, "surely everybody will laugh
at you. "Oh, well, ," was the reply, after a
moments survey of her clothes; "I will 20
and buy me some new ones in San francisco"
But, said Mrs. Reid, "you can't, because
every one VIII Know at once by those clothes
tnat you come from the insane asylum, and
they will take You and bring you right back
again Stopping for a moment for effect. as
the rayIng woman was looking at her dress she
added, Now, / know where all the new
dresses are, and can fix you out So that no
one shall detect you. You don't know the
room, but come with me and can show YOU"
=, 90 together they started along the hall. AS
tney were going, the insane woman holding
tight the keys, Mrs. Reid observed to her:
y" Now, do you suppose that for a bottle of
sherry wine you could pick out the kew 10
Elizie's doCr?" Yes" was the reply. for
bottle Of sherry wine / could e I hardly
think you can" said Mrs Reid. "Yes.
can, was the reply. "Well, now," said
Mrs Reid, "let US see" The insane woman
turned at once to the door where EIizie was
locked In, and tried one key, and it would not
answer next, another was tried and failed,
and the esgerness Of the woman increased az
each key failed, till little while the right kew
was reached, turned with a wrench and the
door thrown back wide open. In moment,
Elizie sprsng out, and Mrs. Reid grasped the
insane woman around the waist, pinning her
arms to her body, and Elizie, in like manner.
seized her around the lower limbs, and she was
quickly borne by the two into her room. and
the two stepping out, turned the kew, then
nrst to breathe easy since the danger was per
csived- 1t was an occasion of rejoicing at
.neIT escape, OF severe and deserved reproach
and leaving the keys in the door, and Of earn
est proteststions by Elizie, that she would be
more careful again