Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-07-01
A Guess for Life.
A THRILLING STORY.

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 frequently
evinee a method in their planning, an
adroitness and coolness that would do
credit to the shrewdest sane person.
We give below thrilling incident which
actually occurred as related, one of the
parties to it having been 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 l was starting for the supper table
on the evening of the third day of my
arrival, the office bell rang violently,
and the boy came in and said that man
wanted to see the doctor.
The visitor was standing by the fire
when entered. He was tall, power
full mana perfect giant compared to
my five feet six; and the great and
bushy black hair and whiskers were we'll
fitted to his monstrous form.
eff you are at liberty, doctor please
come with me. Itisbuta few steps, and
you will not need a carriage"
put on my coat and hat and follow
ed him. 1t was my first call in T.,
and fondly hoped it was the forerun-
ner of many others.
This man strobe on ahead of me all
the time, Notwithstanding my endeavors,
to keep at his side, and spoke not word
not even answering my questions.
Stopping before substantial looking
residence on one of the principal streets,
he applied the latch key, and led us in
to a pleasant little room on the second
floor, Ga study thought IT'D hung about
with good paintings and elegant chromos
and lined with books of every name.
"Take seat doctor; l will step out
moment. Take this chair by the fire
it's bitter cold night"
The chair was very unwieldly thing
but exceedingly comfortable. Tthrew
my feet upon the fender, and leaned
back upon the cushion, very we'll satisf-
ed TO warm little before seeing the
patient.
I 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. Indeed, [ had NO
time, for stout cord was thrown over
my wrists and around my breast, and a
handkerchief bound over my mouth so
quickly that / could not prevent it.
When l was perfectly secure my con-
! ductor stepped in front of me and look
ed with much interest at my vain at
temps to free myself.
, "Good stout cord isn't it?" he asked.
r 1t has never been broken, and many a
! stouter man than you has tried it. There
, now, be quiet while and ( will tell you
what | want"
. He went to a cabinet that stood in the
f 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 imag-
; Unable.
al have studied the art Of guessing fol
years" said he. | can guess anything
5 that is my guessing chair you are sitting
! in now, and take great pleasure in i'm
D parting my knowledge to others. This
g is what / want of you to night. L did
, intend to make you guess that, but
have thought Of something better"
He had become satisfied with the edge
and point of the knife. and pacing UP
and down the room, giving me full his
! tory of the world, interspersed with facts
relative to the art of guessing, at which
times he always stopped in front of me
"Did you ever study it, doctor? !
know you haven't. lam the only one
that ever reduced it to science Since ]
left my noble veterans have devoted
my whole time to it; and now l am
about to initiate you into the mysterie;
. if you are worthy
> He was standing before me so very
calm, that did not think he intended tC
harm me: but when | looked into hi;
: eyes, burning with the fire of insanity, ]
j felt that my situation was desperate.
al must test you," he said. "I must
! see whether you are naturally gifted oil
u not, before / waste much time with you
if remove the handkerchief will you
: answer my questionsg' p
: nodded in the affirmative and he re
moved it.
Now my dear doctor you are an en-
4 tire stranger to me. Without doubt