Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-12-11
The Sturg Teller.
ADVENTURE WITH A LUNATIc.
AN ENGLISH STORY.

Alf Dixon, Tom Giffard and I had gone
up the river camping out; we had done oul
second days work. 1t was early morning or
the third day, glorious weather. was IN tht
boat, getting the steering lines in order; Glt
fard and Dixon were on the bank, talking te
DR.. Rawle. As understood it, he was al
the head of private asylum for lunatlcs
He was Giffards friend, not mine. He hao
been taking a constitutional when he happen
ed to fall in with US just as we were sitting
down to our open air breakfast; the chance
meeting led to Gifard inviting him to share
our gypsy meal. He did. He was pleas
ant fellow, not too old and not too young.
liked him exceedingly. We talked of things
in general, and Of lunatics in particular
Something led to his Mentioning think II
was speaking of the cunning OF certain class
of lunatics, and the difficulty of Reeping them
within four walls-the fact that one of his in
mates had escaped day or two previously
and had not yet been retaken. This was the
more singular, as it was tolerably certain he
had not gone far, and search had been made
for him in every direction.
As Giffard and Dixon were saying good-by
preparatory to getting into the Loat, the doc
tor laughingly said, "Should you happen to
come across him, shall consider you bound
to bring him back safe and sound. He's
man of forty-four or FIVE, tall and bony, iron
gray hair, and has curious habit of showing
bis teeth and winking his left eye. Don't look
out for raving lunatic, for, on most points,
he's as right as you and I. He'swrong in two
things. Whatever you do, don't let him lose
his temper, for whenever he does, though ever
so slightly, he invariably goes in for murder
he's all but done for two keepers already.
And don't talk to him of England or Eng
lishmen, for if he should get upon his native
land, he'll favor you with some observations
which will make you open your eyes. - "-'
We laughed. Alf and Tom shook hands
with him and got into the boat. We promised
if we should happen to meet with him, we
would certainly see him returned to safe Gus
tody. Alf stood up and showed us from the
shore; we sang out last good.by, and left
the doctor standing on the bank.
It was beautiful morning. The river was
delicious, clear as crystal; we could see the
bottom, and every stone and pebble on it ;
just gentle breeze, tanning the surface of the
waters into ripple. We lit our pipes and
took it easily. / am good bit of a traveller,
know many lovely hooks and crannies in for,
eign lands. I have lived abroad as much as
at home; but will match the higher reaches
of our own Father Thames for beauty and
for charm against any scenery in Europe; and
on an early summer morning, after spell OF
glorious weather, it is in all its prime; the
water is cool, so clear; the hanks so green, so
charming; the stately trees on either side !;
the mansions seen over the meadows, or peep
ing out among the trees. You may choose
your Rhine, Garda, or your Maggoire, or your
golden Bay of Naples, but leave Cookham
and old Father Thames to me.
Presumably, we had come for river beauties
and the camping out. Presumably but as n
matter of fact, there was young lady living
not so far ahead, mutual friend, Lillian
Travers. Separately and jointly we had a
high opinion of Miss Travers not only of her
beauty, but of other things as we'll and hav
ing come so far, we hoped we should not have
to return until, at least, we had peep at her.
Unfortunately, though we knew Miss Travers,
we had no acquaintance with Mister-there
was no Missis We had met the young lady
at several dances, and such like; but on each
occasion she was under the chaperonage of old
Mrs. Mackenzie. Apparently, Mr.. Travers
was not party man. But Lillian had prom
ised to introduce US to him whenever she got
a chance, and we were not unhopeful she would
get that chance now. So, you see, that little
excursion riverward had more in it than met
the eye.
We went lazily on, just dipping the oars in
and out, smoking and watching the smoke
circling through the clear air. All thoughts
of the doctor and his parting words had gone
from our minds. We talked little and that
little was of Lillian, and the chances of our
meeting. We had gone some two or three
hundred yards; we were close to the shore
Alf could almost reach it by stretching out
his oar. Wewere dreaming and lazing, when
suddenly some one stepped out from among
the trees. He was close to us-not dozen
feet away.
He was a tall man, rather over than under
six feet. He was dressed in dark brown suit
of Oxford mixture he had stick in his
hand, wore billy.cock hat, and his coat was
buttoned right up to his throat He had
! light whiskers, a heavy, dropping moustache,
Aair unusually long, iron.gray in color. He
might be soldier, retired from his profession,
or an artist out painting; he certainly looked
like gentleman.
We were passing on, when he raised his
stick >and shouted out, "Stop!"
1t was regular shout, as though we were
half mile from him. We stopped, although
it was an unusual mode of calling attention
"Gentlemen," he said, still at the top of his
voice, II should be obliged if you could give
me seat. Ihave long wayto 60 and l am
tired"
We looked at him and at each other. II
was free and easy way of asking favor
but he seemed gentleman, and an elderly
one, too. Common polteness dictated civ
ility. :,
II am afraid" said Alf, "we have hardly
room; she is only built for three"
30, that doesn't matter" he said "you cal
put me anywhere, or I'll take an oar for ont
of you."
was on the point of advising point-blanl
refusal, not appreciating his of:hand manner
but Alf thought differently.
Call right" said he; 1--WE don't mind, i
you don't. Steer heri in, Jack"
steered her in No sooner were we nea
the shore, than quite unexpectedly he stepped
almost on my toes, rocking the boat from sid
to side.
"Hang it" said "take care, or you'll
have US over
"What if do ?" he returned. "It'll onl..
be swim and who minds swim in weathc
like this?'
We stared at him; the GOODNESS, not to sa,,