The Lincoln County herald., 1869-12-02
ALONE WITH A MADMAN.
BY AN OLD TRAPPER.

mere nave Deeu many IcMole netOl0es
since Joan Of Arc set the example, aud
sue, following tho footsteps Of those who
had gone before, was only more fortunate
in that her heroism was Of . peculiar
kind, aud hence found more prominen Mt
place III history. Many others have
equally deserved the title Of heroine ~
decidedly as sho.
Among tho many whose courage and
resolutions have been sufficient in the
hour of sudden and unexpected peril, We
may mention the namo Of Mrs. Cyrcns
Mason. Born and reared upon . farm
in tho remote settlement, she was early
Injured to all manner Of hsrdships, aud
seemed to inherit, ss her only birthright,
q moro than ordinary degree Of physical
courage. In statue she Was small, and
almost child.like in appearance, but
strength Of heart and sizo Of body arc by
no means c0.existont.
At the age Of eighteen, Christopher
Mason met aud loved her. and asked that
their destinies might be united. She
gavo q happy consent, and when they
were married accompanied him still fur
ther into tho wilderness, to q new but
lonely cabin, which become to thom sa.
cred homo.
Two years passed pleasantly and hap
PLY. A little cherub came to gladden.
their hearts aud develop . new, holy love
which neither had felt before. It was
about this period that tue event which |
am about to describe, aud which illus
trated her character 90 we'll transpired.
It vas day in autumn. The husband
was in the field mile from the dwelling,
and was not to return till evening. Cy-
rena sat within the door knitting. One
foot rested upon tho rocker Of the cradle,
within which the sweet babe lay sleeping.
Suddenly the mother started and rose
to her feet. A footstsp sounded closely
without, and - she expected no one she
vas for moment startled Conside. iug
the state Of tho country It Was no wondeI
that she felt somewhat excited. Possibly
her husband met with some misfortune,
or it might be person with evil intent,
and If such was really the fact how help.
less she was, with nothing save her hands
IOv 00JeU1o $40 .s..a...yr
When tho conner emerged into view,
however, the momeptary look Of terror
passed from her face and she placed Z
chair for him near the door. Il Vas q
tall. strongly built man, who had. apps'
reutly seen forty ysars Of life. HE dres.
was shabby and carcless, and the wild
Gre which cleaned 10 his eye bespoke the
shattered mind,
Simon Webb, such was the oognomen
Of this most singular looking being, Wal
one Of the unfortuustes whose brain
proves incapable Of bearing the amount
Of study evoked BY % inquiring, anxious
miud.
Years before, his intention had been
called to the diversity Of religious bs.
liefs, and not being aware Of tho magui.
tude Of che task he was assuming, and
bis unatusss for it, sst about stud yine
the Bible and converting with oil whom
he met, hoping 10 this manner to solve
the difficult problem and sst himself right
upon the perplexlpg question. When
this was done Il seemed probable to sup.
pose that he could convince others, and
thus aid materially 10 the restoration oi
pure and primitive Christianity.
Instead Of tho results he had antici
patsd. Webb found himself getting every