Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-20
THE MADMAN,S RUSE.
BY EMERSON BENNETT

bad rail cars running at sixty miles An bo,-
and smashing things generaily-when the then
mile an hour stage coach was the great in.
su,uuon Oh the country-peOple who Travelled
but though never 50 grum and surIy at home
grew sociable and talkstive-Iaughed, told
stories, and listened to others-and conducted
themselves rs human beings should, who. II
not oy car or coach, are all travellers ON the
highway Of life.
In one OF these whilom conveyances, in which
nad taken passage, there was among an in
side full of travellers an elderly. identified LOOK.
ing gentleman, who seemed contented to lean
quietly back, and silently but attentiveIy listen
10 tne conversation Of the others, rs they told
tneir stories, anecdotes or jokes, or discussed
Pohtics or religion, or nettled each other with
sharp repartees.
uOn, the conversation turned upon insanity.
ana then Mr.. Brown and Mr. Smith got into
an argument as to what and where should be
Tue exact Ilne OF demarcation between a man
of sound mind and oae non compos nae1.tis.
AS the debate on this subject waxed warm,
ana became sPiced with some very curious and
original speculations of the two disputants the
elderly gentleman fUused up with a look Of in
terest, and, speaking almost for the first time,
quietly observed that there were MANY cases Of
confirmed insanity in which the line between
reason and lunacy could not be drawn at all,
except when the affected person was touched
upon some one peculiar subject
Mr.. Brown, who had the other side of the
questlon-and who contended that all insane
men could at once, and at all times, and under
All circumstances, be detected by look voice
language, and manner, either severally or col
iectively y instantly denied the assertion, and
requested the gentleman to give any respect-
aole authority in support Of his position.
can give you my own experience" re-
piled the other
why, you are not an insane man, are you
slr - inquired Mr.. Brown, with wink at his
companions. -'0
1t Is just possible 1 may be in your estima-
uon, smiled the elderly gentleman "for it
Is one OF the peculiarities of certain mopoma-
selves" S
~" very sharp and very pretty, sir ~ said
Mr.. Brown, getting rather red in the face :.
but still ridicule is not argument; and as Won
nave started upon the premises which I deny
tR toto, sir, 1 should like to see Won sustain
yourself by respectable authority, sir for |
always 60 in for respectable authority in all
matters of-Of-a-in short-of this nature
sir '" '
Well, suppose give you the authority Of
DR. Maxwell, of the *%s*s Insane Asylum"
said the other.
condescendiDgIy. "Dr Maxwell / consider
very respectable authority indeed, in all mat
ters pertaining to insanity. But then, sir.
bear In mind, sir ~ said Mr.. Brown; warming
up and wiping the perspiratioa from his fole,
mead understand, sir, that do not agree to
take the doctor secondhand oh, no sir Pro.
duee him, sir :. I5E yTOpTfa pSTxO1a sir i-set
him right here before me- in his own proner
person, sir and then, If he will vouch for the
truth OF your assertion, will yield the point,
SIR and acknowledge myself a-a-ah : mis-
taken, SIR -
Very well, - smiled the venerable gentle
man, las You are not disposed to take my au-
thority second hand, suppose you take il first
hand myself am DIR Maxwell, of the x%.x+
Insane Asylum"
At this announcement Mr Brown turned all
sorts OF colOrs except white, and we all epioyed
hearty laugh at his expense.
10 prove my point pursued the doctor
when the merriment had subsided, "let me
tell You OF THss that was played upon me by
an insane man, and then show me, if you can,
wherein that man, in carrying his point, lacked
the cunning, sagacity and reason of the sound
est man you know Of-yOurself for instance
he story L refer to is this:
Some years ago, as was one day sitting
IN my once turning over the records of the es,
adjustment, was interrupted by the entrance
ot n tall, spare, intellectual looking gentleman.
neatly dressed in black, who, in a very bland
and dignifed tone, inquired if he could be per-
united to speak with the superintendent of the
Institution.
"'I an the person Won seek al, n,odos,,n
replied. '
Ah, yes, he rejoined; Il am very happy
70 know you. DIR. Maxwell, presume
The same, at your service
Ny name he pursued 'is Williams
francis Williams-and also have the honor
CT having NJ. ID. attached am a praotieino
physician, sir, in a neighboring town, and have
called TO see you on some business connected
with my profession
repliel that 1 was very happy to make
MS acqusIntance-that his name was not un-
familiar to me, even if his face was lie bow.
ed, expressed himself highly gratiied at the
TACT that had ever heard the name of one so
humble and obscure as himself, and then pro-
ceeded to state his business
Inc case wish TO bring to your notice.
Doctor, he said, SIS o rather curious one Have
you ever seen man who was perfectly sane on
every subject except one?'
Often, DIR. Williams-often, SIR replied
IN my blandest tone
"'Ah" " he rejoined i am pleased 10 hear IL.
because you will have less difficulty in under
standing the merits Of the case in question.
lou see, Doctor, have a patient-a yery re-
spectacle man, indeed, and belonging TO a very
respectable family-yho, / am satisfied, is quite
Insane-quite q subject for this ip,titu,Ion-
but only on one point and that is-pardon me
h consider II serious one-he thinks himself
no other than your most obedient servant, and
-ha ha that 1 myself am insane, and
should ne placed in here for safe keeping.
Y lite a joke, no doubt you think
Mot an uncommon case, DR.. Williams
replied.
Bat one that can be cured eh, Doctor p
he inquiringly rejoined.
i trust sol hope So
Well, so his friends think, and having
heard much Of you and your valuable institu.
ton here, they have deputed me to call and see
you on the matter, and to know if il would be
agreeable TO you to receive Mr.. Hubbard-ths,
Is MS nams-as a patieut2'
Certainly, said L, and shall be happy
to dc all can for him, and no doubt, with pro-
per care, shall soon be able to effeot com-
piete cure
Well, there is another point, doctor he
pursued he would have q perfect dread of
being lncarcerated in an insane asylum, but
tnongnt could oy having an understanding
with you, so manage it that we might ride out
together and come hither-mereiy On a visit
TO inspect the place, you understand-and