Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-12-10
Vol. Xxx. Whole No. 1887. No. 50

with him. and went down into the woods
he Is the madman.'
''Oh, no-I guess not" said the big
keeper, with fearful attempt at pleasant
irony.
My good men. you are laboring under
some very singular delusion," remonstrat-
ed the victim. trying to speak plainly be-
tween the jolting of the wagon and his own
excitement. Il am Mr.. Nathan Tripler,
OF No. -. John ST.
'Oh. yes" said the keeper, lighting
cigar. yesterday you was Napoleon Bona
parte, and to-day you're Nathan Tripler,
and to-morrow,-likely as not-you'll be
the king of the Sandwich Islands. I've
heerd this kind O'talk afore."
| Tripler's heart began to stand still with
underlined horror. Was this hideous
dream? or was he to be actually immured
within the high stone walls of the asy-
lum he had SO often walk past with feel
ing of dread and horror hey ond all descrip-
ton, The lifelong. victim of some scarce
creditable mistake? In vain he reasoned,
argued. protested; his words fell on th9
nnheeding ears of his two conductors, like
| drops OF rain pattcring on the stony sur
fact OF Table Rock, until at length he was
carrled-more dead than alve-into Il
narrow apartment at the end OF a long
| row OF similar ones. II was lighted and
ventilated by an iron grating in the door.
with corresP Ondng window hi.h upon
the wall. aud furnished with only a narrow
couch and stand built into the wall; aud
! there MIR. Nathan Tripler, released from
his coniining bonds, was left to enjoy the
uninterrupted society of his own cheerless
meditationS.
1T can't be possible, must be asleep
and dreaming" thought Nathan.
| But it cdS possible, and he was never
wi,!er awake in his life,
Towards evening pitcher of water and
a piece of bread were dealt out to him.-
Mr.. Tripler ate it under Il sort of mental
protest to relieve the gnawing sensation OF
| tantness that was at his vitals.
What would give for one of Dorothv's
hot biscuits thought the wretched cap
tive. My poor little Dorothy! l have
been too hard upon her. Suppose-just
suppose | should die without bein. able TO
tell her how ashamed | am of having been
such a brute.''
1t was not the dry bread that choked
Nathan Trlpler just then-it was the hu-
initiating sense vf his own sins and short
comings.
Next morning it was bread and water
again. Nathan thought Of Dorothy's de-
splscd coffee and grumbled-at steak
I've deserved it, thought Nathan.
".herrs no mistake about that. Poor
darling little Dorothy! how her heart is
aching Tor me now. | wish | could stroke
down her hair just once. Oh it is hard to
be treated So even though know I'm
served exactly right. If ever oct out of
tins hole alive. Dorothy Will find me i
changed man
Inc confused current of thoughts was
Just eddyin= vaguely through his mind
whtn there was a sound OF steps and voices
III the long corridor without.
81 suppose they're going to fut5 on a
Stralt-Wal>tcoat now thought Mr.. Tripier
with II resigned air. We'll. there's nothing
LEFT for me but to endure. | don't think I'm
mad but how long shall hold ont sane
uEder Tins ere>tin%,c0nratcnation OF cir.
cnhS'ances i rather doubtful question:
but Mr. IrIuIer was mistaken about the
Strah-""iSfcoat-it was his keeper instead,
accompanied by two or three "eutlcmcn-
All proiuSe apologies and sympathetic cjic-
uiatloh>'
9uch mistake; said one gentleman,
WIN ohlu mead.
80 aM Mh"ard Tor you, my dear sir"
Sald another mlddle-ased gentleman, with
honah nose.
but ehtlftIy unlntentlonal, | assure vou
'"ohtd vaguely from one to another.
men III not mad, it seems:' he de-
manued'
N"I Pafltle. sir! cried the three
committee men in chorus.
"oh !: 'ald Mr.. Triper, I'm glad to
near It,
men the committee proceeded to inform
1htir involuntary guest how the mistake
had happened by which his identity had
be- been e1nlounded with that of his mysteri-
GUS I'VE NIqar'an'e ar y1rr sor,r oi the 9 woods, h
m.ttee-m"n' m shaking Mr. Trpler's hand as
" 1t h"u oeen the town pump.
30 am 1, sad Mr.. Triper, lac0ni-
caHy.
here are your hat and coat sir said
the second Committeeman, I'VE had great
ulllcHity IL getting them away from our
poor iLlenu IN tue lncurable Ward. who
'anclea they We're the last dying bequc>t
OF PRESIDENT linc"in.'
-A''" any h'n@ we can do to make any
a'o"e'he"t ior the a" "kward mistake would
oe pleasure said The third. While the
Keeper eyed MI lHpler dnbiously, as if
nor "loeether certain but that he was Il
niue mau alter all.
" heh Mr' Nathan Iripler reached his
nome All was the widest grief and con-
searched and The river dragged. and the
noie 'Ic'na3e rahsached- and was now
"a y, ,raiih, t.,Gs III .nt nursery. Nathan walk
bar '''' "'' pun oo'h arms round
..Hera 7 nm Do.,;o, ~.
more" 'oN 'is any
Rut Mrs rrinIar cr;oa ,>,.,. .t.,..