The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-13
The yagarles of a Starving Man.

/ blOltt COutIlUuLeh ~ DCFiuNtI'N uu ln-
tensely interesting account of his
"Thirty.seven Days of peril" We
quote:
lost all sense Of time. Days and
nights came and went, and were mum.
bored only by the growing consciousness
that was gradually starving. l felt no
hunger, did not eat to appease appetite,
but to renew strength. | experienced
but little pain. The gaping sores on my
feet, the severe burn on my hip, the
fostering crevices at the joints Of my
fingers, all terrible in appearance, had
ceased to give me the least concern.
The roots which supplied my food had
suspended the digestive power of the
stomach, and their fibres were packed
III it in matted, compact mass.
Not 40 with my hours of sIumber.
They were visited by the most luxurious
dreams. | would apparently visit the
most gorgeously decorated restaurants
OF New York and Washington sit down
to immense tables spread with the most
appetising viands ; partake of the richest
oyster stews and plumpest pies engage
myself in the labor and preparation Of
curious dishes, and with them fill range
upon range Of elegantly furnished tables
until they fairly groaned beneath the
accumulated dainties prepared by my
own hands. Frequently the entire night
would seem to have been spcntin getting
up sumptuous dinner, Iwould realise
the fatigue Of roasting, boiling, baking,
and fabricating the choicest dishes known
to the modern cuisine, and in my dis
turbed slumbers would enjoy with cpl
curean relish the food thus furnished
even to repletion. AIMS there was
more luxury than lifein these somuolent
ynnnries. n
BY some process which was two weak
to solve, my arms, legs and stomach
were transformed into so many travelling
companions. Often for hours ] would
plod along conversing with these imag-
mary friends. Each Ind his peculiar
wants which he expected mo to supply.
The stomach was lmportunntc in his de-
mand for change Of diet complained
incessantly Of the roots fed to him,
their present effect aud more remote
consequences, | would try to silence
him with promises, beg of him to wait n
few days, and when this failed Of the
quiet desired, | would seek to intimi.
date him by declaring, Ms sure result
Of negligence, our inability to reach
home alive. All to no purpose-he tor
mented me with such fretful humors
through the entire journey. The others
would generally concur with him in
these fancied alterations. The legs i'm.
plored inc for rest, and the arms com
plained TINT l gave them too much to
do. Troublesome as they were, it was
II pleasure to realise their presence. I
worked for them, too, with right good
will, doing many things for their seem.
ing comfort which, had I left to myself
alone, would have remained und0ne.
They appeared to be perfectly helpless
of themselves would do nothing for me
or for each other. I often wondered,
while they ate and slept so much, that
they did not mid in gathering wood and
kindling fires. As n counterpoisc to
their own inertia, whenever they dis
covered lnnguor in me on necessary oc-
casions, they were not wanting in words |
of encouragement and cheer recall
MS write an instance where, by prompt |
and timely interposition, the represen-
tative of the stomach saved me- from
death of dreadful agony. One day | |
came to small stream issuing from |
spring of mild temperature on the hill
side, swarming with minnows. Icaught
some with my hands and ate them raw.
To my taste they were delicious. But
the stomach refused them, accused me
of attempting to poison him, and would
not be reconCiled until l had emptied my
pouch of the few fish had put there
for future use. Those that ate made
me very sick. Poisoned by the mineral
in the watcr, had glutted my appetite
with them us | intended, should doubt
less have died in the wilderness, in ex-
torment
A gradual mental introversion grew
upon Inc MS physical weakness increased.
The grand and massive scenery which,
on the upward journey, had aroused
every enthusiastic impulse ofmy nature,
was now tame and spiritless. Ny
thoughts were turned in upon myself
upon the dreadful fate which apparently
lay Just before me-and the possible
happiness OF the existence beyond. All
doubt Of immortality fled in the light
of present realities. So vivid were my
conceptions of the future that Mt times |