Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-09-21
TALES AND SKETCHES.
THE ESCAPED LUNATIC.

my face as he held up his lantern, athwart
which the gusts of rain dashed furiously.
"What time is it 2"
He glanced over his shoulder, through
the half-open door, where fire and candle
light CLEANED cheerily upon the face of a
cheap wooden clock.
mine o'clock, SIR"
spurred on my horse, with a word or
two of thanks, the closing door of the toll
house shutting out all warmth and light
and human companionship, and | was once
more alone in the wind and storm and
pitchy darkness. No matter--three miles
was no distance worth speaking of.
should soon be within shelter; so patted
my horses neck, and spoke soothingly to
him. .
"Old fellow, don't be nervous. Heavens
artillery will hurt neither of us, and you
shall have u feed of oats and snug, dry
stable, very soon ~
Sultan tossed his superb head, as if he
fully comprehended my encouraging words
and quickened his pace. But at that in
slant blaze of lightning, more brilliant
and vivid than l had yet experienced, re-
vealed the whole surrounding scenery to me
in ghastly distinctness-deep woods, through
which the narrow road wound sinuously-a
sunken, zigzag face on each side, and could
it have been possible that l was mistaken
or did white, terrified face glare at mine
through the low cedar tickets, in that in
slant of lluminationa
'Hallo!" cried out, listening intently
for some other sound than the rush of the
rain and the perpetual flutter of moving TO-
liage in the wind. But no sound was re-
turned. Twice repeated the summons
twice it was in vain.
1--WE are dreaming, Sultan" said, en-
couragingy, to my horse. Come, get on
old fellow, or we shall fancy ourselve:
hemmcd in by wi;ches.'
am not nervous man by nature, but
those three miles seemed to me the Longest
three had ever traverseG, and unconscious
ly kept listening for footsteps on the sdt
of the road, watching for pale, frightened
faces; and when at last the ruddy lights o
the wayside tavern cleaned through tn,
with glad heart.
That night slept the dull, heavy sleeI
of thoroughly wearied man, and rose de
pressed and unrefrcshed, in the morning
Not even the fragrant slices of ham and the
good coffee could inspire me with an appe
lite.
bring me my bill, landlord, if yol
please" said.
I'm sorry you should have been delayed
sir" said the fat and jolly Boniface, bus,lns
in, "but the servants have just come in from
! the village, and they're telling me of a yer.
extraordinary occurrence-a lunatic, sir
one of their worst cases. escaped from tn,
asylum, and at large in the woods !" .lg
"a lunatic ~ l exclaimed / felt TIN
h1nnA nhlN from m oho,la / 70
membered the white face among the ceda
thickets of the wilderness.
"What time cid he escapel" asked.
"About o'clock, sir" lie replied.
| And had seen the apparition at littl
after 8. Then it was no optical delusion-
no spectre of disordered imagination.
paid my bill. without word; then
told my host what had seen.
| Dear me, SIR" said the excited landlord
But they're on his track = they'll soon SC
cure him."
Landlord" l said, as I drew on m
gloves, "is it far to Arch Hall? Z"
"Arch Hall, sir2 Squire Ackley's! Onl
about two miles by the footpath throug
the woods-six by the high road"
waited an instant. Bright and war;
the summer morning sunshine streamed j
upon the floor; softly the breeze stirred til
creepers that trailed over the porch pillar
| thought of Sultan, already overwearied.
II have half n mind to walk. and let 20
send Sultan after me this afternoon" sale
Its Just pleasant walk, SIR" said mir
host, rubbing his hands and smiling
Squire Ackley an old friend of yours, sir
"Yes-no; have never seen him.
was my brothers friend"
The landlord looked at the deep mourl
ing weed on my hat, and nodded.
"Are you expected, sir !" he asked.
81 suppose So" replied.
Other questions, no doubt, my landlol
would have asked, but checked them
inquirng the exact way, and set forth.
1t was a lonely path, lying through 81
itary glen. The trees were yet drench'
and dripping from the storm the night
fore, and, as pushed my way throut
overhanging bushes, the drops of moistu
drenched me with miniature showers; b
cared not.
7 / was picking my way over the ston
that lay across rivulet in the path, whe
looking up, met the gaze of pair Of da
. | eyes.
| A man, wearing little Scotch cap, al
. with his hair and clothing sprinkled wi
bright drops, stood before me. He m,
have sprung down the steep hillside, wi
almost incredible agility. Pale, with da
If eyes, and wet, matted hair pushed aw
from his high, white forehead, he seemed
J. me to bring back the scene of the night
fore-the wooded wilderness, and the bl
white CLEAN of the lightning.
II wish you good morning, sir" be sa
pleasantly. II confess | didn't expect
q = meet strangers in this out of the way plac
" returned his salutation, somewhat stiff
: He glanced at my dress, which proba
: bore the impress OF my journey OF the MI
before. y--r.r
"Ah," he said, jocosely, $50 you were
in the rain last night Z" ,.r,ssfssg
Was only giving vent to my suspicio
IS. or was the crafty cunning OF madness
ne his eye as he looked at me, as II to SOU
me whether remembered him or not 7
re / looked him steadily in the eye as
swered, "Yes, and you were, too."-
up He started, and his eyes suddenly fell
n fore mine-a deep crimson spot burned
=. instant in each cheek and then left ii
Is, paler than before. "a = - f..l
You are mistaken, sir, he said.
had resolved to humor the whim OF
instant, more particularly as caught 81
of the gleam of silver-mounted revo
in his inside coat pocket.
ks Truly this was no pleasant predicam
orr ore to be alone in the woods with madn
an and an armed mailman, too. l had Il
death undaunted. !. had lain in I
Tia trance and heard the physicians whispe
me, "There is not the shadow OF hope
n ~.