The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-08-11
An ESCAPED LUNATIC.
A YENkEE TRICK.

In coach which was winding its
way 10 the interior Of Vermont, was u
dandy or swell, whom we shall call
Snubbs. lie evidently considered him.
self man Of great importance--far
superior in every respect to his country
travelling comprehension tho reason
mainly that he hailed from New
Yawk."
During the conversation which oc-
CURED, of which he was the chief
speaker, he conccitedly remarked, shat
he had often heard of the 'cutenes. OF
Yankee tricks but rs none of the
latter had ever come under his obser-
vstion, lie was quite willing to offer
himself as q subject for anything Of the
kind"
Among the Passengers was a boy
some fourteen years Of age, who was
returning from school to spend the va.
cation at homo. Though be had been
termed 'greenhorn' by Snubbs, yet
he was a bright, though modest little
fellow, and an obScrvant listener.
Snubbs proposed to dine that day at
the inn, in the little village where the
boy resided, After which, he designed
to walk distance OF two miles, to the
residence Of Squire Smith, to whom
he had letters OF introduction Near
the villiage was lunatic asylum,
from which patients occasionally y made
their escape, causing much alarm in
the vicinity. After the arrival Of the
coach at the inn, the boy took the
road 10 Squire Smiths, and informed
the residents along the way that a
lupatic had escaped from the asylum !;
that lie was desperate, and would knock
tho brains out Of any person within his
reach. At tha same tins he gave an
accurate description of the manners
and personal appearance Of Snubbs,
and stated that he might more partic-
ularly be known by his iuquiriug the
way to Squire Smiths,
After dinner Snubbs sailed forth In
the full possession Of his ponderous
intellect, with cane fourisbing a Ia
baton, and with cigar in mouth. The
road to Smiths was winding. The
landlord directed him part Of the way
and informed him that beyond any of
the inhabitants could pass him along,
as all were acquainted with Squire
Smith.
After travelling the distance, he
halted at the gate Of farmhouse, on
the stoop of which sat an elderly lady
knitting, but who had not observed his
approach.
MADAM, will you please inform me
which is the right way to Squire
Smith'sH'
The old lady looked up, aud for a
moment stared 10 blank amusement.
The knitting work.droppcd, her sppOks
fell from her forehead.
Good gracious - she scream med, as
she few inside the house and bolted
the doors. Soon after she appeared at
q second.story window, and partially
raising the sash, exclaimed
20, YOU poor unfortunate critter. do
90 away from here How sorry do
feel for you r.
"Why, madam, I'm q stranger here
merely wish to inquire the right road
to 'Squiro Smiths"
30, yes, ] know oil about It, Come,
now, that's good fellow, do 60 away,
How your poor mother must feel IL she's
a-livin yet!'
Further parley was useless Snubbs
was convinced that the woman was
insane, and he passed on.
In front Of the next house, strong,
muscular man was engaged choppinp
wood. AS Snubts epprosnhed him
his suspicious became aroused, and he
seized stout hickory stick, some -four
feet 10 longth, for tho purpose Of self
deteuss.
"aood-dsy. fsisndj viii you please