Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-19
4 NIGHT WITH A MANIAC.
BY A YOUNG PHYSICIAN.

The maniac was a giant. He had
broken his heavy chains as Samson broke
the withes, had torn open the door OF his
cell-torn the keeper literally to pieces
burst the outer door-killed the watch
man with heavy iron bar that he
wrenched from the door-and escaped
with his formidable weapon into the city.
The town was aghast with the news
and we students at the hospital and dis
secting-room, who were connected with
the asylum, had to nerve ourselves to
help capture the escaped wild beast.
Ihad gone to the dissecting-room alone,
and was about TO commence using the
knife on subject. There was q storm
raging. and with low sob the wind
swelled through the long aisle OF forest
trees and dashed with the gathered force
of an ocean wave against the dead-house.
simultaneously, hand struck the light
door and the yell of maniac rang
through my brais.
Above the door, through small ven
tilator, the face of the madman and the
murderer peered at me. "a.
"Ha, hal have caught you at last
-here-and alone. l have been waiting
for you. You took me once-didn't you !
| Ha, hal Let me in. f"
The GOODNESS of imminent peril brought
my powers to action. | held bis eye an
instant; but it was evident that he vas
too wild for that; his blood was up, aud
il roved with eager ferocity through the
room and over the frail walls. With the
light bound of leopard / gained the
door and shot the double bolt. A CLEAN
Of rage darted from his eye, but he
laughed. =,
1Hal ha You think that you will
keep me out"
He leaped to the ground. In an in
slant the light was out
"Wait," l cried. II have weapon
in my hand keen as q razor. 1t is pois'
oned by the body | have been working
on. Burst the door. and | will plunge II
into your heart. You may kill me, but
will kill you also, as certain as there II
a God !"
The swartby giant shook the door I'M
tl its hinges creaked and groaned be
meath his hand. Then laughing agair
low to himself he muttered:
Fool I'll outwit you yet"
And stole off in the darkness. l heard
him, for an instant, pressing against the
wall of the building, and it swsyed anc
bent inward with his weight. Then 81
leuce. The din of my pulses made
thunder in my ears as / tried to hear his
stealing tread, and the sobbing wind ros'
anew with weird shrek, and made M
efforts fruitless.
A thousand times / heard his low
devilish, murderous laugh. A Thousand
times felt his brawny strength agsins
the door, and saw his wild face lool
down on me through the gloon bu
still he did not come.
tried to think he had abandoned thI
design and SUNK of discouraged; but
knew it was not SOL knew he wa
crouching in some corner on the watch
10 spring upon me when / passed.
Could / stand there all night2 No
certainly not An hour more and Harrl
Leigh (my young wife's brOther) woulc
come and see me-come unconscious o
he danger. until a bloodhound At hil
throat would choke the brave young lifI
down there forever.
listened in the intervals OF the nov
ftfui storm TO hesr il be was breathing
near me. / put my soul in the sense o
bearing, bat no human shadow OF SOUND
greeted il.
When the storm sEelled again drew
the bolt and looked into the night olacl
pail hang over the earth and SKY. hat
as good a chance to pass him in the %
scurity as he 10 catch me. With ny
knife IN ny teeth, and the massive thigh
bone Of q negro 10 fen him With, i'll mast
drew of ny shoes and stepped ont int
the darkness A sudden vhiri q thl