The Cecil Whig., 1875-09-11
Ills WITS ABOUT HIM.

BY ROVER.
l certainly thought he was "out of his
head" He had such peculiar ways anG
said such peculiar things; and he went
about as if he was in a somnambulic state
almost; that is, l don't mean quito that
but he never seemed to take the same
notice of what happened about him that
men do. And as to his ever being sur.
prised at anything, never knew him tc
show surprise on but one occasion in his
life. What that occasion was l shall nat
urally mention before l am done.
His name was Joseph Harrison, and he
was a student at the academy at Sanford
one of the style of academies that seem to
have nearly gone out of date now, where
both the sexes were taught under the same
roof. | attended the Sanford school. The
| principals house was on the corner, across
the way from the academy, and he boarded
a dozen or so of the students. l was one
of these boarders.
shall never forget the day Mr.. Harrison
came to the house to board. l was sitting
ON the second floor piazza, studying. 1t
was late on a Summer afternoon. AS he
entered the gate, leaned over to look at
him, and when he was just underneath, l
chanced to drop my book. 1t struck him
on the shoulder and fell thence. to the
ground. He turned and looked at it quiet
| ly, and then poked it aside with his big
cane. What does he carry that big cane
for? thought l; and why don't he pick up
my book, or look up at me, or do any other
thing a rational being would?
He rung the bell, and saw no more of
him till tea time. He sat directly opposite
me at the table. Would you believe it, he
never looked at me once-nor, indeed, at
any one else, it seemed-which was the
reason, perhaps, why looked at him more
than l ever did at any other young man in
my life, in the same length of time.
After tea, we gathered in the parlor, as
we were in the habit of doing, and he was
introduced to me. He bowed, and then,
for the first time, looked at me, or rather,
he looked through me, as if he saw some
thing behind me, and my head was as
transparent as glass. Then he smiled and
turned away.
| confess 1 was provoked at the manner
Of the young man. What amused him l
should like to know. When Belle Harri-
son asked me afterward how l liked her
cousin, said didn't like him at all. She
only laughed, and said she believed nobody
ever did like him at first.
Somebody asked me to sing. l seated
myself at the piano, and gave a song in my
best manner-which I had been taught to
believe was not an inferior manner, by any
means. My voice was good, and l had
received the best musical culture. What
mysterious influence was at work upon me
l did not know, for, if ever l thoroughly
disliked a person in my life, l certainly
disliked Harrison; but, it is true, notwith,
standing, that sung for him.; and when
turned away from the piano, it was with
some special curiosity l anticipated his
comments, if he chose to make any, or its
manner and its meaning, if he chose tc
hold his tongue.
If you will believe it, the man was look.
ing at a painting on the wall, looking at il
standing up, with his hands clasped behind
him, and his back to the company Was
there ever such clowno
| -. -, &c
song?" asked Orville Redway, a young
man from the village, who had been invited
to tea, and now sat with us in the parlor.
told him.
"I must have it," said he; ait is exqui
site." And he took out pencil to write
on card the name of the piece. He broke
his pencil lead. "W Will some one be kinG
enough to lend me a knife ?" he asked
81 have forgotten mine.'
Mr.. Harrison heard the question, although
he was still looking at the painting, and he
produced large pocket knife, which he
handed to Mr.. Redway.
at is very sharp" said he; "be careful. -
The first thing Redway did was to cut
his hand. The blood spurted out in jets
He turned pretty pale, but he just gathered
his hand in his handkerchief, and said
"1t was mere scratch of no consequence. ,
"Beg your pardon, sir" Mr.. Harrison
spoke, "it is of some consequence. You'll
lose your life if you don't look out. II
fix YOU"
| II l., l. ,or NJ ID
loosely around Redway's arm. Then ht
took the knife, shut it carefully, put il
under the handkerchief, next to the arm
and began to twist it about. AS the hand
kerchief tightened on his arm the BLOOD
ceased to flow.
"Send for DOCTOR" said Mr. Harrison
GA doctorn' exclaimed Redway. "Isn't
this good deal Of fuss over a little cut ?"
GA little cutr' said Mr.. Harrison, "wher
you cut an artery it's big cut.'
DR.. Miner was three doors off, and h,
came in few minutes. He expressed
great appreciation at young Harrison's con
duct.
Young Harrison, as unconcerned as
post, had returned to his inspection of tn,
painting he seemed to admire SO much
Mr.. Redway soon went off with the doctor
The knife lay on the table. Out of pur'
imprudence, or some similar feeling, tool
up this terrible knife and accidentally Gu
the end of one of my fingers nearly Off
screamed loudly, for it was horrible
wound, and the flood flowed copiously.
"Well upon my word,'' remarked Mr.
Harrison, "here's anothern'
Another! How contemptuously the wor,
sounded to me. l, Margaret Bailey Mon
roe, confessedly belle, beauty, and
lady of rare accomplishments, besides be
ing heiress to hundred thousand dollars
/ was just "anothern Why didn't Ii
call me person and be done with it?
Well, what would he do with my fright
full wound?
"Mix little flour and salt, and put
on" said he, "that will stop the bleeding
IT iS n mere trif1e -