The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-11-30
(Fron AL the Year Round)
TWENTY-0NE MONTHS OF SILENCE
| COnCluued.1 ;

TWENTY-0NE MONTHS OF SILENCE
Concluded.
Half dozen soldiers were sitting on
a raised tailor's board in we'll known
professional attitude. The all raised
their heads when we entered, except
one. who, seated nearly with his back to
the door, Just turned his head and his
eyes for moment slightly, In our d.
rection, and then went on with his sew
ing. A moment afterwards, on the name
of "Strong" being called out by tue
doctor, this same person sprang OH the
board with quite curious display OF
activity, and stood confronting US, with
his hands close down by his sides, his
stockinged feet so close together that
the great toes touched each other, and
his eyes staring very intently straight
before him at the doctor. This gentle.
man then proceeded to ask him some
questions, as, indeed, we all did-how
he felt, whether there was any change
in his condition, what was the state OF
his general health, and the like. He |
answered by gesticulation, always of a
very energetic kind, and sometimes by |
means of the deaf and dumb alphabet |
on his fingers. He told us in this way, !
l remember, among other things, that
he came from Wales, and that he was
the first of his family who had ever been
afflicted in this extraordinary manner.
"Come," said the doctor at last, "let us
see You make an effort to speak. Try to
saw. 'Hew dye dor" The man certain
ly seemed correspond to this appeal, and
nothing could be more energetic than
the violent chopping action of the jaws
with which he did so; but no word, nor,
indeed ANY sound whatever was uttered.
After this, we all stood staring rather
helplessly and in state of mystitication
at each other. The soldiers sitting on
the board with their legs doubled under
them, stared too.
The scene was brought to close by
the doctor. "Well," he said, "you are
very comfortable here and usefully en-
ployed. You know we couldn't posi-
bly, send you out and throw you upon
your own resources, in the state in which
you are at present, and SO you ought to
think yourself very lucky" This was
said, as the doctor told me AFTERWARDS,
to show the man that he had nothing to
hope in the way of getting his dis
charge. He appeared we'll pleased with
what he heard, nodded and smiled
briskly, and Jumped up on his board
again.
"He is so extraordinary sharp and
quick of hearing" whispered the doc
tor, as we left the building, "that l must
ask you not to speak about him till we
are well out of earshot." / had little to
say, however. My impression was
simply of a good looking young fellow
of a light and active build, with exceed
ingly bright eyes, having perhaps
something little mad about them.
There was nothing stapid or brutal IN
his appearance; on the contrary, he
looked brisk and lively, as well as ex-
ceedingly cunning. He certainly gave
one the idea of a man possessed OF much |
logged determination, and quite capa- |
BILE of carrying out any scheme of an
underhand nature which he might set
before himself as thing to be accom-
plished.
VIVA It Private John Strong did set
before himself as thing to be accom-
plished, he did in this case most distinct
ly and completely succeed in doing. He
carried his point. He was too much for
the authorities. His powers were con.
eentrated; theirs were ditfused. He had |
but one thing to think of; they had
many. For such work as mounting |
guard with its necessary interchange of
sign and countersign, as well as for all
other forms of military duty of which |
speech ID an essential part, this man |
was untitled, as,well as for the transmits
sion OF verbal messages, or spoken in
structions; and so il came about at last |
that on a certain day Private John
Strong was brought before the medical
board, and after passing through an
other examination, and being subjected
to variety of final tests, was declared
to be Unfit for service, and was, then
and there formally discharged.
Soon afterwards, found myself once
more in the neighborhood of the great
garrison in which this curious drama
had been enacted. Now that the cur
tain had fallen, felt q strong desire to
hear something of the princi pal perfor-
mer, and to learn what had become of
him after his retirement from the stage. |
In accordance with this wish lost no
time in making my way to the barracks
at which my speechless friends regi- |
ment was quartered, bent on picking |
up all the information l could. Fortune
was propitious to me. Almost immedi- |
ately on my entering the barrack-square
had the good luck to run against
certain sergeant.major belonging to the
regiment, who had had the subject of
my inquiries especially under his charge
FROM this officer learnt that DR.. Cur
ION had been removed to another station
and that so the case had passed from
under his superintendent: and that the
doctor who succeeded to the care of
the man had, after very careful inyesti.
cation of the whole affair, become sniff.
GENTLY convinced of the geuuineness Of
the case to bring it before the medical
board with the result mentioned. "a
few days afterwards" said the sergeant,
concluding his accouRt:-"1 met the
man walking aloug the street, in com.
pany with young woman. Good |
evening, Strong said on speculation,
with sort of notion in my head that |
he'd answer me. And On he I'D Coed |
evening, sergeant hesays speaking Is
GLIB as possible and WI Ii -. - a
grim as ever you saw" The sergeant
concluded his narrative by Informing |
me that the ysung man had got married
uu was at work at q sewing machine
factory in the town.
az was difficult place IN find tb;s