Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1872-01-24
A GUESS FOR LIFE.

strange deIusions entertained by mad
men-the remarkable pertinacity and
cunning they display in carrying out the
wbims of their disOrdered minds. In
their wild freaks, maniacs frequently |
evince a method in their planning, an
adroitness and GOODNESS that would do
credit to the shrewdest sane person. We
give below a thrilling incident which
actually occurred as related, one of the
parties to it having been prominent
American army surgeon:
When my regiment was disbanded,
babe adieu to- my old comrades and to
the army, and commenced business in
the fiourishing town of L.
As I was starting for the supper table
on the evening of the third day after my
arrival, the door bell rang violently, and
soon the boy came in and said that a
man wanted to see the doctor. The Wis
itor was standing by the fire when I en-
tered. He was a tall, powerful mana
perfect giant compared to my five feet
six and his great and bushy black hair
aud whiskers were well fitted to the
mOnstrous form.
If You are at liberty doctor, said he,
please come With me. It is but few
steps and you will not need carriage.
put on my coat and hat and follow
ed him. It was my first call in L,
and I fondIy hoped it was the forerun-
ner of many others.
The man strobe up 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 in one of the principal streets,
he applied the latch key, and led me in
to pleasant little room on the second
floor, "a study I thought it), hung about
with good paintings and elegant chro-
mos and lined with books Of every de-
scription.
Tax a seat, doctor, said the man;
will step out moment Take this chair
by the fire; it's bitter cold night.
The chair was a great unwieIdy thing,
but exceedingly comfort able. threw
my feet upon the fender, and leaned
back on the cushion, we'll satisfied to
warm myself 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 a stout cord was thrown over
my wrists and across my breast, and a
handkerchief bound over my mouth so
quickly that [ could no. prevent it.
When I was perfectly secure, my con-
ductor stepped in front of me and look
ed with much interest at my vain at
tempt to free myself.
Good stout cord, isn't it? he asked. Tt
has never been broken, and many a
stouter man than you has tried it
There, now, be quiet while and I will
tell you what want.
He went tot cabinet that stood in the
corner of the room, and 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 com
monplace manner imaginable.
1 have for years studied the art of guess
ing, said he. I can guess anything;
that is my guessing chair that you are
sitting in now; and ] take great pleas
ure in imparting my knowledge to 9TH
ers. This is what want of you tonight.
1 did intend to make you guess that, but
1 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 full
history 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? he ask
ed. I know you haven't. am the on
ly one that ever reduced it to a science.
Since I left my noble veterans 7 have
devoted my whole time to it; and now I
am about to initiate you into its mysteri-
es, if you are worthy.
He was standing before me so verv
calm, that did not think he intended
to harm me; but when looked into his
eyes, burning with the fire of insanity,
I felt that my situation was desperate
indeed.
must test you, he said. Unjust see
whether you are naturally gifted or not,
before waste much time with you. If
IremOve the handkerchief, will you an
swer my questions?
I nodded an affirmative, and he re-
moved it.
Now, my dear doctor, you are an en-
tire stranger to me. Without doubt you
have often heard of me, but it will be a
hard task to distinguish my name from
all other great men of the time. You
may guess it doctor. What is it?
He had brought his face so near to
mine that could feel his hot breath,
and fancied I could feel the heat in
those terrible eyes. The long, keen
blade he was holding over me-for what?
To take my life if failed.
Guess! Guess! he screamed. IF you
fail, it will be your last guess in this
world.
I dared not cry out-the knife was too
near. I could not escape, for the strong
cords bound me to that chair cound not
lift; and Icould lie there and lose MY
life. What could I do2
: II was a hard guess, he said, and I
will give you three minutes to answer