Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-06-29
CFrom Beadls's MonthIy,J
HIS WITS ABOUT HIM,

I certainly thought he was 'out of his
head" He had such peculiar ways, and
said peculiar things; and he went about
as if he Wasiu sOmnambulie state almost;
that is, [ don't quite mean that; but he
never seemed to take the same notice of
what happened about him that other men
do. And, as to his ever being surprised
at anything, l never knew him to show
surprise on but one occasion in his life.
What that occasion was, l shall naturally
mention before 1 am done.
His name was Joseph Harrison, and he
vas a student at the academy in Sandford
one of the style of academies that seem
to have nearly gone out Of date now,
where both sexes were taught under the
same roof. I attended the Sandford
school. The Principals house was on
the corner across the way from the aead-
emy, and he boarded a dozen or so of
the students. l was one of these
boarders.
shall never forget the day Mr.. Har-
rison came to the house to board. 1 was
sitting on the second floor piazza, study
ing. It was late on summer afternoon.
As he entered the gate I leaned over to
look at him, and when he was just under
meath, [ CHANGED to drop my book. 1t
struck him on the shoulder, and fell
thence to the ground. He turned and
looked at it quietly, and then poked it
aside with his big cane.
What does he carry that big cane for
thought l /; OF why didn't he pick up my
book, or look up at me, or do any other
thing rational being would
He rang the bell, and I saw no more of
him until tea-time. He sat directly op-
posite me at the table. Would you be-
lieve it, he never looked at me onee-nor,
81 ooIEa oh
was the reason, perhaps, why i looked at
him more than ever / did at any young
man in my life-in the same length OF
time.
After tea, we gathered in the parIor, as
we were in the habit of doing, and he was
introduced to me. He bowed, and then,
for the first time looked at me-or rather
he looked through meas if he saw some
thing behind me, and my head were as
transparent as glass. Then he smiled,
and turned away.
[ confess I was provoked at the man
ner of the young man. What amused
him, I should like to know? When Belle
Harrison asked me, afterward, how l hk-
ed her cousin, I said l did't like him at
all. She only laughed, and said she be-
lieved that nobody ever did like him at
first. Somebody asked me TO sing. L
seated myself at the piano, and gave a
song IN the best manneT-Whieh l had
been taught to believe was not an inferior
manner, by any means. My voice is good
and I had received the best musical cul-
ture. What mysterious influence was
at work upon me [ did not know for If
[ thoroughly disliked a person in my life,
I certainly disliked this Mr.. Harrison; !;
but 1t is true, Notwithstanding that, L
sung for him; and when I turned away
from the piano, it, was with some special
curiosity | anticipated his comments, if
he chose to make any, or his manner and
its meaning, if he chose to hold his
tongue.
Ifyou will believe it, the man was look
ing at a painting on the wall, looking at
it standing up, with his hands clasped be-
hind him, and his back to the company.
Was there ever such a clown?
"What is the name of that beautiful
song?' asked Orville Redway, a young
man from the village, who had been in
vited to tea, and now sat with us in the
parlor.
told him.
II must have it, said he; sit is really
exquisite.
BE took out his pencil to write on a
card the name of the piece. He broke
his pencil lead. "Will some one lend me
a knife ?' he asked II have left mine.
Mr. Harrison heard the question,
though he was still looking at the paint
ing, and produced a large pocket knife,
which he handed to Mr.. RedWay.
Its very sharp said he 'be care
full
The first thing that Redway did was to
cut his hand. The blood spirited out in
! Jets. He turned pretty white, but just
gathered his hand in his handkerchief,
and said it was a mere scratch Of no
consequence.
"Beg your pardon sir" Mr.. Harrison
| spoke; 1T is of some consequence
You'll lose your life, if you don't look
/ out. I'll fix you.
He took his own handkerchief and
| tied It loosly around RedWay's arm.
] Then he took his knife, shut 1t carefully,
put it under the handkerchief next to the
arm, and began to twist 1t about. AS the
! handkerchief tightened on the arm, the
blood ceased to flow.
"Send for doctor, said Mr.. Harrison
"A doctor" uttered Redway. is nj
this a good deal of fuss over a little cut?'
"a little cut, said Mr.. Harrison
! when you cut an artery it is a big cut. "
DR. Miner was three doors of, and he
came in a few minutes. he expressed
great appreciation of young Harrison's
conduct. Young Harrison, as unconcern-
ed as apost, had returned to his inspection
of the painting he seemed 70 admire SO
much. Mr.. RedWay soon went off with
the doctor.
The knife lay on the table. Out Of
pure impudence, or some other feeling,
took up this terrible knife, and accident.
ally cut the end of one of my fingers near.
ly off. I screamed loudly, for it was ,
horrid wound and the blood flowed eopi
Ously.
well, upon my word, remarked Mr.
Harrison. Here's another p
Another How contemptuous the
word sounded to me. I, Margaret Bal
ley Monroe, confessedly belle, a beau
ty, and a lady Of rare accomplishments, be
sides being heiress to hundred thou