The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-07-04
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMMyNG.

allow patients to emerge from the re-
straint within. |
The old system of chains, whips, and
starvation has vanished before the en-
lightened legislation Of the present
century; though in some few asylums
dark deeds are still perpetratcd under
the rose. But let us thank Heaven
they are in an overwhelming minority.
Whether it was more to Mr.. Sturgcs
interest to cover Mr.. John Hardy, on
whether his sanity became too patent
Accidentally to the commissioners IL Is
difficult 70 say; but certain 1T is that
the gentleman was pronounced cured
and permitted to go at large
Mr.. John Hardy was n Cornish man,
possessing the moderate income of five
hundred a year. He possessed homi,
cidal mania, and had attempted to Kill
several persons in his native town of
Tintagel in Cornwall.
Those who called themselves his
| friends relations he had none-causcd
him to be ncarccrated in DIR. Sturge's
nsyl,lm, and showed their disintcreFt-
cdness by allowing all his available IN
come to be devoted to his support
while under the doctors care.
Mr. Hardy did not feel himself per
fectly safe even when his liberty was
granted him. Seeking DIR. SturEe, he
explained his motives in asking for
| some one to look after him.
"rhe truth is, DR.. Sturge, l want to
| he protected from myself
"But, my dear sir" answered the
doctor, "thcrc is nothing in your caS,,
now W hich would lead me to apprchend
any return of your complaint
HYouare mistaken" said Mr.. Hardy,
shaking his head salty.
wn that case you had better stol
where you arc.' =,
"No, not for thousand worlds,
hastily cried Mr.. Hardy.
"Why not? | hope the treatment
HAS been uniformly kind, doctor
vet cannot bear to mix with mum
| her of people who are nolorlouSly 'li'
uolpabIy mad 1t is humiliaCing AM
DEPRESSING to live under the same roo
with the roor creatures who nav
doubtless been afflicted by Heaven TO
some wisc purpose u.
"Wcll, sir" replied the doctor, "yo
can ito ns you please. The Comm
sioncrs in Lunrcy have recommends
me to Give y,ua ,limha,gc. You nav
it, aud can make whatever use so
like of it," =,
= az fully intend to do so,' said NJ
IJp DIV. '"Th,rr l., however, one fav'
I should Ike to bc% at your hands"
[ "Nru II ,vc only TO name IT.
s wulriuw my residence here | hay
I met with much clvi'ity from wa
dcr.n
II (Which or them?"
y "lom IIoorcrn cricd the docto
"H" " one Of my best men" -,
-, at am aware of it, and that is u
reason Of the diilidcncc feel WIN
~ addressing YOU on this subject. | !"
y. fiat should be perfectly happy al
IA ma, k M, sa'o-with Hooper, -
l. "Do { understand that you are q
s. sirous of taking Hooper with you
vt xcIaimed the doctor in astoniShmcl
x 0You have guessed exactly repll
Mr.. Ila dy with n smile. II VII q
ly him liberal +a'ary. He VIII ma
tx quite sinecurp. His principal dll
&c will consist in accompanying me
Is NV daily walks. He will dune WI
" me at nv own table, and play at so'
interesting game, such as cflbn,al
ma chess, or billiards, in the evening
he "Your proposition Is one IN eve
ve way so favorable TO Tom Hooper,"
is ioined the doctor, "that in justice
" him | cannot refuse to commulllc
or your offer"
~, "You will do so?"
~, "At once" 81, :,
IT, | shall await your return with
,,o Eo patience. Use your influence IN
iie behalf to the best Of your ability
DIR. Surge nodded, and went out
ite tbe room in which the cOnvcr' at
les had taken place.
'ry He met Hooper in one OF inc {
lss ridors, and stopped him.
ny Tom was tall, stout man. u
upon time he had been very mus
IA lnr and strong; but. since his reside
,lic in the a,ylum, he had made flesh,
ian en- into rather lazy habits, and 10;
/ a great part of his strength.
ties He was powerful still, and legar
with more fear than love by, the n
no. refractory patients. The others II
NV him-indecd, he was a general iavol
,mca maa "Goud morning, sir" said Tom
tIe Mr.. sitrrge stopped him.
,ly. "Can you spare me a few mn, !,
o,i Tum?" replied the doctor 81 b
inn something to say to you.'
~" "Notling wrong, hope, sir T
ooh no! If you have anythln
ma do here, call another officer"
tlie Tom raised n small whistle wi
;ine hung round his waist by II string,
,,, s"n put it to his lips. s,
'un- scarcely had the echoes of the s.
els, blast died away, when wardcr c
cry ,uuning up. Tom spoke u lew W
de- TO him, and then followed the &c
s'le into the central hall. 81,
UYou know, Tom, that Hard
ON cc;ng out tomorrow Y" began
,ucs d rtOr. ,,;.,1 u
Her ole has male u peculiar req
Igue, uc says i'm effect that he lears
5000 cnrrence of his fits, and that lie
q, as not con .i,Irr himself safe unless 20
'e IN with him." ,., ~,
'rOus as it me he wants." askeu ~
;" surprise. ,.,., o,,or
thicr eyes. Think me matter ovvi ;,i,
fics 7 shall he very loath to part WIN
cent Inf this offer is a good one. Io'
hugs Get what salary in moderation 20
tick TO ask for; you will have lit
III LII "nthinp TO do; and | need not Sd.
."iH' .' In, ,,p,, are as welcome as the flow'
IS s the Nav to come back here wheheVe
y !, cola .J % "On that understanding thin
where with your pern'i'''''''
reals It," A., ,ot;.,nts subi
4 on homicidal mania are at tllllIs u'
y twice nm. and never to be thoroughly
70 mt cd. j said the doctor warliIlgiy.a
t. r,i". pa' 'hrll he on my guard" repi,cc
, 'VI Tie uoopcr with q knowing smlie
D !, hriI. denoted that he thought nm mn
# dia- match for any lunatic he ha'
.ooo;vo ,. % come in contact with.
v would The next day Mr.. Hardy +, an, /,
"' left the asylum, standing III !
Ie'' ,.s,sto or and companion,