Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-05-11
4 GUESS FOR LIFE.

n Voiume couiu Oe nlled With the Stran &c
delusions entertained by madmen-the
remarkable pertinacity and cunning they
display in carrying out the whims of their
disordered minds In their wild freaks.
maniacs frequently evince method in
their planning, an adroi.ness and cool
ness. that would do credit to the shrcwd-
est sane person. Below will be found a
thrilling iccident which actually occurred
! as related, one of the parties to it having
been prominent American army surgeon
When my regiment was disbandcd,
bade adieu to my old comrades and to the
army, and commenced business in the
fiourishing town of l..
As l was starting for the supper table,
on the evening of the third day after nv
arrival, the door bell rang violently, and
soon 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, powerful man--a perfect
giant compared TO my five feet six" aud
his great and bushy black hair and whis-
kcrs were well fitted to the monstrous
form.
"If you are at liberty, DOCTOR" said he,
please come with me. 1t is but a few
steps, and you will not need carriage" :"
put on my hat and coat and followed
him. 1t was my first call in l., and
| fondly hoped it was the forerunncr of
many others.
The 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 a substantial-looking
residence in one of the principal streets,
he applied the latch-key and let me into
a pleasant little room on the second floor
Ca study thought t). hung about with
good paintings and elegant chromos, and
lined with books of every description.
Take seat. DOCTOR said the man !;
II will step out a moment Take this
chair by the fire: its a bitter cold night. :"
The chair was great uawieldy thing,
but exceedingly comfortable. threw
my feet upon the fender. and leaned back
upon the cushion. well satisfied to warm
myself little before seeing the patient
| heard the man approach the door,
which was directly back of where sat.
and heard the door open aud close again.
| supposed he had gone out, bnt did not
look around to see. Indeed I had no
time, for stout cord was thrown over nv
wrists and across my breast, and hand
ke-chicf bound over my mouth so quick
ly that could not prevent it.
/
ductor stepped in front of me and looked
with much interest at my vain attempts
to free myself
Good stout cord, isn't it?" he asked
1T has never been broken. and many n
stouter man than you has tried it, There.
now, be quiet while, and will tell YOU
what want"
lie went to cabinet that stood i'm the
corner of the room. aud taking long
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.
Il have for years studied the art of
guessing" said he. Il can guess any
thing; that is my guessing chair that YOU
are sitting in now: and take great pleas
ure in imparting my knowledge to others
This is what I want Of you tonight. |
did intend to make you guess that, but
have thought Of something better"
He had become satisfied with the edge
and point Of his knife. and was pacing up
and down the room. giving me a full his
tory Of the world, in.erspcr>cd with facts
relative to the art Of guessing. at which
times he always stopped in front Of me
did YOU ever study it. doctor?" he
asked. Il know you haven't / am the
only one that ever reduced it to science.
Since left my npSle veterans | have de-
voted my whole time TO it and now am
abou, to initiate you into its mysteries, if
ron are worthy
He was standing before me. 50 very
calm that did not think he intended to
harm me; but when I locked into his
eyes. burning with the FIRE Of insanity,
felt that my situation was desperate in
deed q fsa ~t 3. sa4 - ~
II mus, ,es. you," he said Il must
see whether you are naturally gifted or
not, before I waste much time with YOU
II remove the hanfkssehief, you will
answer my questions :!
nodded an Affirmative, and he remov-
ed il.
Now, my dear dcctor. you are an en-
tire stranger to me. Wisheu, dcub, You