Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-06-21
A Guess for Life.
A THRILLING NG TORY

A volume could be filled with the
strange delusions entertained by mad
men; the remarkable pertinacity and
cunning they display in carrying out
the whims Of their disordered minds.
In their wild freaks maniacs frequent
ly evince a method in their planning,
an adroitness and GOODNESS that would
do credit to the shrewdest sane per-
son. We give below thrilling Incl
dent which actually occurred as relat
ed, one Of the parties to it having been
a prominent army officer:
When my regiment was mustered
out of the service, | bade adieu to my
old comrades and to the army, and
opened an Office in the hourishing town
of l.
AS was starting for the supper ia
BILE on the evening of the third day of
my arrival, the Office bell rang violent
ly, and the boy came in and said that
a man wanted to see the doctor.
The visitor was standing by the fire
when | entered. He was tall, pow
erful mana perfect giant compared
to my five feet six; and the great and
bushy black hair and whi8kers were
well fitted to his monstrous form.
IF you are at liberty, doctor, please
come with me. 1t is but a few steps,
and you will not need a carriage"
Iput on my coat and hat and fol
lowed him. 1t was my first call in
l., and | fofdly hoped it was the
forerunner Of many others.
This man strobe on ahead of me all
the time, notwithstanding my endeav-
ors to keep at his side, and spoke not
a word, not even answering my qucs-
tions.
Stopping before substantial look
ing residence on one Of the principal
streets, he applied the latch key. and
led US into a pleasant little room on
the second floor, IA study thought
it, hung about with good paintings
and elegant chromos, and lined with
books Of every name.
Take a seat doctor; | will step
out moment. Take this chair by
the fire; it's bitter cold night
The chair was a great unwieldly
thing but exceedingly comfortable. |
threw my feet upon the fender, and
leaned back upon the cushion, very
well satisfied to warm a little before
seeing the patient.
| heard the man approach the door,
which was directly back of where |
sat, and heard the door open and close
again. | supposed he had gone out,
but did not look around to see In
deed, | had no time, for a stout cord
was thrown over my wrists and around
my breast, and a handkerchief bound
over my mouth 50 quickly that | could
not prevent it.
When l was perfectly secure my
conductor stepped in front Of me and
looked with much interest at my vain
attempts to free myself
Good stout cord isn't it?" he ask
ed. 1T has never been broken, and
many stouter man than you has tried
it. There now, be quiet while and
| will tell you what want"
He went to cabinet that stood in
the corner Of the room, and taking a
long wicked looking knife from one of
the drawers, ran his thumb over the
edge, and felt the point, all the while
talking in the most common place
manner imaginable.
II have studied the art OF guessing
for years, said he. | can guess any
thing that is my guessing chair you
are sitting in now, and l take great
| pleasure in imparting my knowledge
to others. This is what want Of you
tonight. | did intend to make you
guess that, but | have thought of some
thing better"
He had become satisfied with the
edge and point of the knife, and pac-
ing up and down the room, giving me
full history Of the world, intcrspers-
ed with facts relative to the art Of
guessing, at which times he always
stopped in front of me.
"Did you ever study it, doctor? l
know you haven't. lam the only one
that ever reduced it to science. Since
left my noble veterans have devot-
ed my whole time to it; and now l am
about to initiate you into the mystic
ries if you are worthy"
He was standing before me so very
calm, that | did not think he intended
to harm me; but when | looked into
his eyes, burning with the fire Of in
sanity, l felt that my situation was
desperate indeed.
Il must test you," he said. Il must
, see whether you are naturally gifted
or not, before | waste much time with
you; if | remove the handkerchief
will you answer my questions 2"
| nodded in the affirmative and he
removed it.
"Now my dear doctor, you are an
entire stranger to me. Without doubt
you have often heard of me, but ii
would be hard task to distinguish
, my name from all other great men Of
the time. You guess it, doctor. What
l is it?
; He had brought his face so near to
mine that | could feel the hot breath
and | fancied | could feel the heat Of
those terrible eyes. The long keen
blade he was holding over me-foI
what To take my life if | failed.
Guess! guessr he screamed. ii
you fail it will be your last guess in
this world
l dared not cry out; the knife was
too near. l could not escape, for the
strong cords bound me to that chair
t could not lift, and | could lie there
0 and lose my life. What could l do :?
J, Its very hard guess, and I will
1 give you three minutes to answer it,
s he said.
summoned all my courage, which
a had never yet failed me even in the
: awful hour of battle, and looking hin
/ steadily in the eye, said
1 4 know you, sir; so where is the
b. use of guessing? | have seen you OIL
y the battle field marshalling your host