The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A Nirhi With a Lnnailc.

We take this story from an English
paper: la a very quiet neighborhood,
/ ia Sussex, resides family. one OF the
members of which il afflicted with mental
arrangement. Being quiet and inof-
fensiye, the parents had chosen rather 70
keep her under their own care than b
put her in an asylum. Although habit
ually weak minded, the poor girl ~ not
noticeably deranged, save at long inter
walls. A few weeks since, however, one
Of these attacks came upon her; and
under the influence of the strange inala
DIV, she climbed out OF the window OF
her room, and sought the residence of n
friend Of the family few houses of.
Being we'll acquainted with the premises.
she had no difficulty in gaining admit
tanoe; aud just before dawn, the gentle
man and his wife were awakened from a
profound sleep by most fearful scream
IN their bedroom. Starting up, terribly
alarmed and frightened, they beheld an
apparition well calculated 10 inspire
terror and unuerve the bOldest.
With the subtle cunning which some
times attends insanity, the girl had
taken from the mantelpiece revolver,
aud now stood IN the center oi the
room, her long black hair streaming
over her robe, and the eyes blazing like
fire, and the pistol pointed At the two
people in bed. Every time either OF
them moved, fearful glitter Of her eye
aud a movement Of her arm disclosed
her purpose 90 firo Entreates and
soothing words were alike unAyailing,
aud 10 all questions and appeals she re
piled with a scream Of maniac lau shter.
In this position hour after hour went
by. aud still the girl stood menRcingly
at the foot of the bed, still threatening
10 shoot, still laughing with glee that
curdled the blood, aud sent the cold
chills through the frame Of the appalled,
couple, who expected every moment 10
feel the crash Of the leaden missiles,
armed with desth. Finally her mood
changed, and she seemed 10 desire a
frolic rather than Il tragedy.
Get mp and dance = she said; and
in obedience 90 her commands, the gen
tleman aud his wife arose and CON-
menced a series OF rerpsichoreAn antics,
which, however, ludicrous, we're any
thing but laughAble 10 the parties en-
gagged. The morning came, close and
heavy; and the dense atmosphere OF the
room made the unwonted exercise IA
hguing 10 the last degree. The per-
spiranon stood out in great drops on
their foreheads, and ran down their faces.
The steps and graceful motions usually
employed in the " cotillion, the ina
zourka. and the " schottische. were
now exchanged for a staggering reel;
and the tired and compulsory votaries OF
Terpsichore were ready 30 drop. But
every indication Of a suspension OF the
active exercise, drew from the obseryant
spectator the stern injunction, Dance
And although their limbs ached and
their breath came quick and short, dance
they did-they " danced all night till
broad daylight.
The lady being somewhat obese, and
unused 10 such violent work, showed
evident signs Of distress. But Il did no
good. The maniac was bent on n trollc,
and kept them IN incess&nt motion.
How long the frolic would have been
kent mp 4 is impossible TO say, had not
a servant come in and diverted the at
tention Of the girl. This enabled the
gentleman 90 secure the pistol, and thus
relieved from peril, suspend the dance.
Although very fond OF such amusements
before, both he and his wife now discov-
er grea; antipathy 10 dancing.