The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-06-10

tremor through my frame, which L dc
not care to prolong or revive, by rePe
tition to the view. -if4a -
Directing my eyes steadily to the sur
rounding landscape, | was soon absorbed
in the contemplation broke out into
loud, prolonged peal of laughter, clap
ping his hands together, at the same time
repeatedly and with violent coneussion.
! | turned suddenly around, and was start.
tied at the change which had come over
him during the few moments We had beer
standing upon the tower. His person
was drawn up to its utmost height, his
face was flushed. his eyes glistening with
strange lustre, his bosom heaved, and
be seemed subject to, or struggling to mas
ter some mighty emotion. He was appa'
rcntly gazing at some object in the land.
scape before him. The motion of my
body, in turning, attracted his attention
aud his look fell upon me. Our eyes
met. We stood moment to gaze
mute with surprise, and he seemingly
struggling for utterance. 1la
"Ha ha y he at length broke forth,
"isn't it frel iso't it, indeed, glorious
"Tbe landscape you mean, Of course,
said |. at is indeed, glorious
"No! no !" be replied, in tone of i'm.
patience; "you misunderstood DON
mean the landscape, but the leap-tbe
leap, that's fue-the leap. that's glori-
Gus, too"
"Of what leap do you speak, sir"
hastily Inquired.
"Wby, man." he abruptly interposed,
"the leap, the glorious leap down there
pointing at the same time, with his hu.
ger to the roof of the house below US.
THAT would indeed, be leap" said
I, "aud fearful one too. Flesh and
bones could never survive it"
Suppose we try it" be retorted, With
fierce audacity of tone which bespoke
resolution to attempt what bis tongue
propose try it-yes l will and you
shall; yea, you shall make it With me-" &
There was no mistaking my position
any longer. STOOD FACE TO FACE WITH
A RAvING MADMAN
TO grappe with and overpower him, il
| could, and thus effect my escape, was
the first thought that flashed into my
mind In moment saw the utter fu-
tility and danger of the attempt. The
uianiac was greatly my superior in size,
aud Doubtless. also, in strength. lie was
under the fierce stimulus of madness
/ The deIrium Of fearful intent inteusi-
fed his physical powers, and added ten
fold visor to his nerves. | should be as
babe in bis bcrculean grasp. To close
with him, therefore, and atterpt to over
power men, would be to make sure Of in
Simultaneous destruction. He would seize
ne and make the fearful leap which he
med;tatcd, with me in bis arms.
Ny next impulse was to call for help,
and bring the officers of the asylum to
ny rescue. This plan upon moments
reflection, abandoned as equally im-
practicable and equally bszardous with
the former. 4 strong wind blowing at
tie time, the height of the tower and
thick interposing wall and doors, made it
extremely doubtful whether my voice
could be made to reach the ears of the
persons below Us. Besides, | felt moral
ly certain that the madman made appre-
bensive, by the outcry, of losing his VIC
tim, would anticipate rescue aud bring
n alters to an immediate and fatal issue.
I decided to stand upon the defensive,
and take whatever chance for rescue or
escape there mi sht be for me in the lot
tery of fate. My feelings at that moment
were awful beyond expression. | stood,
yond the reach of human help, upon
the perilous edge of high tower. a ra.
wing madma1 in front Of De, escape in
any direction from his mcrciless grasp, a
physical possibility. Uttering brief
ejaculatory prayer to Heaven, looked
steadily aud as impressively as | could,
into the glaring eyes of the maniac. lie
neither quailed nor seemed affected in
any way by the steadiness Of my look,
but returned it with gaze SO fixed
so deadly in its malignant stare
that lost all hope, and felt that my finaI
moment had indeed come, and that life
with NC would soon be over.
The maniac, cycling me With the IN
/ winking gaze with which the snake view:
its victim, began to approach me, shrek
ing as he advanced, tho fearful words
"Ihe Leap-THE LEAP-THE GLORIOUS
LEAP; We will take it now His face
waxed almost livid, bis eyes were fear
fully dilatcd, and his expression was more
diabolical than it is possible to describe
His hot breath reached me, and futtered
the hair of my head. Leaning bis per
son forward, and stretching out his arms
to their utmost length, as if to preren
my escape, he was already within few
feet of me when | exclaimed in loud
voice, 1.-The superintendent pointing
at the same time to the trap oor beh,ne
him. He hastily turned his bead to lool
but without drawing in his arms or chan
ging the leaning posture of his body
With the rapidIty almost of lightning,
darted between his legs, which, like hi
arms, he had stretched outwardly, bu
not so tensely, and managed as | passed