The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-07-07
How to Catch q Lunatic.

Years ago, when was yo""B''oi' W
came nm assistant Of DR.. B., the super
intendent Of q public insane asylnm-in
what town 1t does not matter-the location
don't affect the narration in the least.
As in oil insane asylums, some Of our pa.
tients were docile and tractable, and had the
freedom Of the house and high-walled gar.
den, while others, being violent and danger
Gus in their madness, were confined to their
rooms. -
Sometimes one OF the last.named gentle
men would get loose, a fact which he immc-
diately announced by breaking things gener-
ally-upon which announcement the doctor
would repair to the spot at which he was
"elevating the Ancient Henry" and advanc-
ing upon him with stcadfast gaze, would
fascinate him rs black snake does Cat
bird, and march him of to his room instan.
ter. The doctors eye was never known to
fail: and he impaired some portion ct his
literally charming qualities to my fellow as
sistans and myself, so that we were able to
master any ordinary maniac, although the
doctor himself had to attend to tho slough
customers"
We had ono lunatic by the name Of Smith,
Us tall as Tom Hyer and as strong as an os-
trich, besides being possessed Of as strong di,
ges,ivc powers as that interesting bird, for
no once got loose and swallowed 30 many
cents that no ratified when he walked, yet
no showed no injurious effects from the
meal.
lie had broken out OF his room two or
three times, but he had always gone back
very quietly when any one OF us made our
appearance.
The asylum had saloon in the centre
with door ut each end one of these doors
required fixing, once upon time, and car
pcnter was engaged upon it, when in trund.
led Mr.. Smith and quietly possessed himself
of long, sharp chisel. When the carpen-
ter looked around, the mailman gave grin
and poke Of the chisel at him; whereupon
the terrified man Of chips scuttled out and
locked the door at the other end.
Having thus Gagged the ostrich, he gave
the alarm; and I, supposing it was an Ordin-
airy case which could easily control, un-
locked the door and entered boldly, where
upon he made rush at me, and l incontin-
emily bolted.
The Doctor was sent for. He came, and
after accommodating through the keyhole, as.
certainng that the enemy was at the other
end Of the room, he opened the door and
saw at once that his eye would fail him in
this emergency. lie was apparently in di.
lemma. Here was certainly problem.
Given: A crazy individual, strong as q
bull, perfectly uncomfortable, and armed
with deadly weapon.
Required: How to catch him.
To capture him by force was difficult and
dangerous undertaking, and to starve him
out would have been tedious affair.
But the doctor did not hesitate moment.
"Alfred," he sand, Ego down into tho sur.
gerry. fill the large syringe with hartshorn,
and bring il up"
lcaught the idea, rushed down and brought
back quart syringe filed with hartshorn-
diluted-for ldidn't want to kill the man.
Then the doctor, Jones and myself, FORM
ed an army Of invasion. We threw open
the door, and entered in the following battle
array:
l, being shortest Of the three, marched
FIRST, holding chair in front Of me by the
back, so that the legs might keep of rush
il our popgun flashed in the pan. Then
came Jones, with tho syringe resting on my
shoulder like piece Of flying artillery.
Finally, in the rear, in the safest place,
like all great generals, came DR.. B.
The lunatic sat at the other end Of the
hall on chair, cycling us keenly and savage
ly. Slowly, very slowly. we advanced to-
ward him. 1t seemed to me that we were
seven miles apart, from the length Of time it
took to approach him. Tho nearer we got,
the more wicked that chisel looked, and the
handle seemed to increase till it was Us long
as broomstick. When we got within iow
feet Of him, he sprung at US.
"Firc !" cried the general from the rear !;
and whiz splutter splosh went the quart
Of hartshorn right bang into his countenance
down he went like a log-it would have
knocked down battalion; and while he
was catching his breath we caught him.
Amop1 Tho ,nanv thin0s which Tho Yan.