The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-14
Alone With a Maniac.

.+ Alone WIN a MamltlC.
I was smoking in my study at Port P
As leaned back in my easy chair, became
the subject of the most, delicious vagaries.-
My senses were carried away on the wings
of the most grotesque imagery; ''castles in
the air. rose like music, and long vistas Of
paintings and statuary opened at every turn
Perhaps this was owing to the cigar; per.
haps to my hat (Which sat rather rakisl,ly on
my head) pressing upon my organs of hu
NOR and ideality; because, perhaps, I was
just then satisfied with the world in general
and with myself i'll particular. Be that as j,
may, I was for once, matter of fact man as
am, indulging in the most absurd yet en-,
chanting visions. .a.i, ,,..,vgs.rr..r
Some cigars lay on the table, which, to.
gether with the way cooked my head al
unusual noises, revealed that was waiting
for companion. And so I was; l was
waiting for Frank Rivers.
A glorious, whole-souled fellow was Riv.
ers; sensitive to a fault, rather visionary ir
his views, warm, brave, impulsive, and very
strong in his likes and disIikcs.
r &
While / was sitting in my reverie, heart
footsteps com ng up stairs. ~ ..sru4.
There's Rivers at last" thought.
But it wasn't; the door opened and in
stalked a man whom had never seen before
There was something majestic in his tread
something intellectual in his countenance
something .demoniacal in the glare of his
eyes. ........ ..,.p ...........r.. ..-.,,. ...r
"Are we alone?' he asked in low voice
looking uneasily around the room. .......,
Exclusively So" I replied, eying my Wis
itor with more than common curiosity
"Take chair, Mr.. NJ" ,-n..r.
"Yes, yes-I see. Miles-Abner Miles,
he replied, taking my hint to introduce him
self, at the same time that he took the chair
"You are philosopher, Mr.. Reed-a me
chanic and a genius. know this, because
I have enquired; know it because have
seen the light burning in your room at lat,
hours. have something to exhibit to you
You viii be able to understand me, your per
ceptions are largely developed, your construc
tiveness very large, your reasoning power,
more than ordinary. I, too, am genius
For many years have been devoting my at
tention to new motive power-and my la
bors at last have been crowned with success
You said we were alone?" Pr
81 did, Mr. Miles, 2-i
"Well-you are waiting for me to expe
dite business, aint your" 'e I Is +3.a
''Not particularly so-though expect 3
friend-he shortly" 5S1'e
"You do?" asked he glaring at me. Soor
his eyes, however, assumed their natural ex
precision. "Yeu are quite complaisant, Mr.
Reed" ~ "NstH Sa b.n@. ''.4
2"Thank YOU" replied, lighting another
cigar, and becoming slowly convinced that
was alone witha maniac sH ,asaa
Takinga small box from his bosom he
made room for it on the table-shoving, as
he did so, my books, papers, microscopes,
pistols, &C., into glorious head of confl.
sion. a RI EE
"Disarrangins your table slightly, amt Il
But never mind" a. M s3 .f6ft .at
He opened the box and took out its con.
tents. 1t was miniature wagon, neatly
fashioned out Of brass and steel, with ma
chinery about it that wasoquite mystery ia
me. 20 taaiat tgl g'risia 7d ,iig ao.
Taking the light in one hand and the lit
tie car in the other, he sat down upon the
floor. Giving the hy-wheel, which was
higher than the other wheels, and stood clea,
of the floor, a sudden twirl, the car went
across the room with considerable velocity
Going to the farther end of the room, he start
ed it again. 1t few across the room, in.
creasing in velocity as it went; and running
up agai lst the wash-board with force suf
ficient to demolish it. ENg a suE
I"What do you think of that?" he asked h
"a great invention, indeed" said L. ''Bu,
what is the motive powcr?'' atu c
"Patience Mr.. Reed,I am not through
yet. Now watch how rapidly and how beau
tifu!ly it revolves in circle" '. q la
He started the car in circle of some foul
feet in diameter. 1t commenced SLOWLY te
make the circuit--then faster, faster, fastei
until it seemed to lie on the fioor iarg,
ring ofpolished steel prrfectly inotionless. =
watched it for about ten minutes. I was
thunderstruciS my brain was becoming be
wildered.a Iossa9 IsiEy grE g9s ify erHea
5"Rssadfa!... Splendid !" es7:e.i s7.:e.i in eestacs