Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-10-14

sensitive, ana ne WS hHectcu in Po"et-
ful manner by metallic and magnetic in
huences. OF all the senses smelling was
with him so highly developed as 10 he a
source Of daily torture. Things which to
ordinary moltals are entirely destitute OF
odor he could scelt from alar. and now-
ers or other substances which possess a
dis,inguishsbIe perfume affected him so
powerfully that it was necessary 10 eXer-
else constant care to keep him without
their range.
To this state Of morbid sensibility there
succeeded one In which his exceptional
powers of memory, and, in less degree,
those OF sight. hearing. smelling. taste,
and touch. faded. and his ability TO learn
the lessons prepared for him steadily de.
creased. This was doubtless q natural
result Of the forcing system which was
adopted by his tutors; but it was also
coexistent with the change which had
been gradually affected in his diet. Ed
ucation in this direction had been n work
OF groat difficulty. but by degrees Kaspar
became accustomed 10 eat meat aud
drink milk, and he throye so well under
his new diet that he was soon able TO
walk the streets OF Nurenburg without
exciting doubts vi his sobiiety. or
horses aud Of riding be was passionately
fond. he was from bis first mount as
sale in saddle as 4 child in its cradle,
and thenceiorward daily rode out Oh
horseback. undertaking without fatigue
journeys which would have worn out u
fox hunter.
In 1929. the year after Kaspsr's birth
into the world-and il is necessary TO bear
in mind that il is of his first year have
hitherto discoursed-the public demanded
that something more than had yet been
accomplished should be done towards
clearing up the mystery Of his lie. Ac-
cordingly y court of inquiry was appointed
by the government and several days were
consumed in hearing the dispositions OF
facts connected with the founding. or
the scanty evidence sdduced, the most
interesting is blief memoir written by
himself in February. 1929, less than
twelve months alter his appearance in
Nuremberg. production which displays
the wonderful educational progress made
by him in 80 short time.
TO his existence in what he calls 'hole, >
which from his comparison with other
localities. appears 10 have been u chambe
six or seven feet long and five feet high.
His dress. he tells US. consisted Of shirt
and drawers and trowsers, with rug 10
cover his legs. and he sat upon straw
with his back against the wall. never lying
full length even when he slept. When
he awoke from sleep he sometimes found
that he had clean shirt on, and there
was always pitcher OF water and piece
OF bread on The floor beside him. How
they came there he never questioned,
accepting them as matter Of course and
only occasionally wishing the supply OF
water was more liberal. When he was
very thirsty. aud had drunk all the water
in the pitcher, he Was wont TO take up the
vessel and hold il 10 his mouth. expecting
that water would presently now; "but it
never did" And then he would put down
the pitcher aud 90 TO sleep again. and
when he awoke there was water.
He had for playthings two wooden
horses. dog, and some pieces OF red and
blue ribbon. and his sole occupation
throughout the years he had spent in "the
holo" was 10 deck the dog and the horses
with the ribbon. lie had no notion that
there was anything beyond the walls that
enclosed him, and for long time he did
not know that there was any being in
creation save himself But once man
appeared, and placing q low stool before
Kssper. laid a piece OF paper thereon. and
taking the prisoners hand within his own
guided il in forming with a pencil the
words "Kasper llauser." This he repeated
a, intervals. ill Kasper could write them
himself, practice in which he took great
pleasure, for it varied the monotony OF
bis ordinary recreation.
One day n man came TO him. lifted him
up. and placing him upon his teei endeav'
ored to teach him 10 stand upright and
use his legs. Kasper had never yet stood
on his feet. and the experiment gave him
great pain. But the man persevered, and
by degrees the position grew less distress
ing. After the lesson had been repeated
many times the man took him upon his
back and carried him out into bright
light, in which Kasper tainted. and "all
became night" They went long way,
he being sometimes dragged along. fall.
ing over his helpless feet, sometimes
carried on the mans back. But the man
spoke no words except to say, II would
be rider as my father was" shibboleth
which thus became imprinted on Kasper's
memory. When they got near Nurem.
borg the man dressed him in the clothes
described at the commencement Of this
article. and upon entering the gates OF
the city placed letter in his hand and
vanished.
Nothing could be made Of this extra.
ordinary story. and the court Of inquiry,