The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-08-26
Adventure with a Maniac.


Adventure with a Maniac.
Among the inmates of an Insane asylum
is d physician who was formerly we'll
known and much respected in the COM
inunity where he resided but reverses Of
fortune so preyed upon his mind that he
became insane, and, during his delirious
moments, would do much mischief 80
that finally, his friends were obliged to
put him in the halEcrazy department Of
the asylum, where, during his rational
periods, he received visits from his friends.
A gentleman friend of the writer, who
had been well acquainted with the doctor
during his prosperity, thus describes a
visit
After the Doctor was placed in the
asylum l felt quite anxious to visit him;
so, upon one of the reception days, | found
myself very warmly greeted by my old
friend, and, as he clasped my hand in his,
and the pearly tears trickled down his
sunken cheeks, he said it made his heart
rejoice to find that friends who in pros
perity had flocked around him did not
forget him now that so great an affection
had fallen upon him. He conversed with
ME for half an hour as intelligently as
any one in their right senses; and then,
as we were admiring the beauty of the
country, proposed that we should 20 upon
the housetop, where better view opened
before us. Up, up we mounted, four
flight of stairs, and having reached the
ladder that led to the scuttle we we're soon
on the roof, and admiring the beautiful
scenery. will not stop to describe the
view, but hasten on to the close of the
story After few moments conversation
the doctor said,
II could be content to live here always;
the cool air fans my cheeks so soothingly,
the sunlight peeps through the trees in
such subdued manner, that / could lie
here and almost imagine myself upon en-
chanted ground. But look in the yard!
what are the men doing there?'
Following the direction Of his eyes, |
looked far, far down in the yard beneath
US, and saw men walking round the yard,
but at such distance they seemed more
like children. My head grew dizzy, and,
with sickening feeling, | turned away.
"Ohl wouldn't it be fun to jump down
among them? You 90 first and III follow;
as we 60 flying through the air they'll
think we're birds. Won't we play them
nice trick?'
Oh, horror! my blood ran cold as he
uttered these words, and, glancing at him,
was chained, as it were, to the spot
where stood, for he was now stark mad.
His blood-shot eyes glared wildly at me;
u passionate look oversprcad his features,
while, shaking his bony arm in threat
cning manner, he spoke, nay, almost Kissed
through his clenched teeth,
Say, will you jump? You can't hurt
yourself; I'll catch you if you fall; now 8
the time, one, two, three; are you not going
to Jump? quick, quick, or Ill throw you
down, down, down"
Oh! how shall describe the sensation
felt? The perspiration started from
every pore; my limbs almost sank from
beneath Inc, while my whole nervous sys-
tenn experienced shock from which /
shall never recover.
"IIa! har' continued he, 'you're afraid,
coward, coward, that you are; you know
the adag ga bird that can sing and won't
sing must be made to sing so, sir, unless
you jump, I'll make you jump"
Suiting the action to the word, he made
spring at me, grasped me by the collar
and, with gigantic strength, raised me off
my feet, and was in the act of hurling Inc
headlong down into the deep chasm, when
It must have been visit from my
guardian angel, for, like flash, an idea
entered my head, and l Immediately put
it into execution.
Putting my arm around his neck, and
stroking his head rondly gained my
footing, and said, in as calm voice as /
could command,
"Stop a minute and listen to me- It
would be poor fun to jump down there;
anybody can do that; but I'll tell you
what we'll do. Let us 60 down stairs
Just as softly as we can until we reach
the yard, then we'll get into good place
and jump up; yes, will jump from the
yard on the house, that will be great
deal nicer than that jumping down, for
anybody can do that you know--but
there are very few persons who can jump
up as high as this; 50 we will show the
men in the yard how much more accom-
plished we are than they" and / clapped
my hand on his shoulder in familiar
manner.
The wild light went out from his eye
for moment CLEAN Of intelligence shot
athwart his features, and slipping his
arm through mine, he said,
"You are right; | did not think Of that
before Won't the boys laugh? ha' ha! to
zee how much we II have the best of them'
they can't do it, can they? lead the way;
hal'ha hap' and, clapping his hands, and
dancing in an ccstacy Of joy like little
child, be made the air ring with his silly,
siokening laugh; but already felt the
danger past, and leading him carefully
down the ladder and through the halls,
we continued conyering in harmless
manner Of the exploit we were about to