Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-16

pressions Of his mental state. reques-
ted them to not even hint to the bewil-
dered youth that they knew me, and
that L would seek an introduction to him
through another channel, and then not
as medical man, but as private gen.
tleman.
'1n few days effected my purpose
1 found that he could only think of the
=, woman who had Tilted him. At first /
imagined that the cause of his eccentri-
cities was the vounding of his self-love
that like most young men who had
graduated with brilliant standing as a
scholar, ! e was sensitlvely egostistical
But, he rarely alluded to his acquisi-
tions, and no matter how foreign the
topic introduced, he wopld cunningly
divert conversation to the only channel
= in which he cared to have his thoughts
run-the beauty of Grace Lysander.
For several days / was his almost
constant companion. He unveiled his
heart to me- / saw that he was gradu-
ally falling into species of insanity,
which is correctly described by the
term melancholia. y
'From Grace Lysander his thoughts
began to run extreme forms. Once he
imagined him self the defender of the in
nocent - especially innocent young
women. From the women he turned
his mind TO the sad condition of men,
and suggested the propriety of building
a large ASYLUM for bachelors-it should
be large enough to accommodate one
hundred thousand of those who, as he
said, should upon examination be proved
to have b en- born without that ex-
tremely useful article in the bosom-the
heart. Once he imagined himself Pres
ident, at another time Governor, and
one afternoon, when the idea was farth-
est from my mind, he declared himself
pirate of the lake.
sit was exciting very, on that occa-
sion, and 1 believe my presence of mind
alone averted a catastrophe. We were
floating on the Mahopac, In two-oared
boat 1 was seated in the stern, having
! the gearing of the rudder in my hands,
and finely favored cigar between my
! lips. Fortesque had the oars. He was
pulling manfully at them, while 1 was
enjoying what the Indians call dolce
far Riente, at the same time luxuriating
in the bits of scenery which every now
and then came before me, when suddenly
my worthy Charon dropped his oars,
and pulling out revolver, leveled it at
my head!
'.Was ever gentleman and physician
placed in such an embarrassing situation
before?'
Mr. Tarbord, said my patient, 4
have an idea. ---s--------------l
"'Ah, indeed, said I, looking into
the tube of the pistol which, if he
pressed upon the trigger, would speed
lily end my career as a medico. / saw
that my life depended on my coOlness.
What is it?''
"'That shall turn pirate. The free
hooters of the sea always imbue their
hands in human gore before they earn
name for atrocity Now, / propose
sending n bullet through your head
Won't it make sensation? All the pa
pers will be full of the wild deeds of
Fortesque, the bloody pirate of Lake
Mahopacl"
The poor fellow, saw was in dead
earnest
"1t would be capital idea, replied
But you don't propose going on pratt
cal expeditions alcne, do you? You'll
want lieutenat or two. / think I'd
make first-rate cut throat, We'd bet
ter go ashore and see if We can pick up
crew that will agree to board and kill
the crews of the other boats on the
lake
Fortesque, still holding the pistol so
that the muzzle covered my body,
paused to consider my suggestion.
"'Well. yes, he returned, L don't
know but that you are quite right. 1t
would be ridiculous for me to go pirat-
ing alone. Yes, We had better engage a
blood-thirsty crew, and, Mr.. Tarbord,
YOU may consider yourself my first of
ficer and entitled to share of any booty
we may get
While this little arrangement was in
process, beads of cold sweat gathered
on my brow. and 1 felt as if a great
piece of ice had been placed against my
spine.
ssH. withdrew the revolver and re-
sumed the oars. When we landed, you
may be sure promised myself would
never again place myself at disadvan-
tage with man who was laboring under
temporary alteration of mind
However, what love had destroyed
love cured-on the Hahnmann princi-
pie of like curing like, suppose.
The friends of Fortesque when they
heard of my lake adventure, seriously
considered the propriety of placing him
under restraint. He was becoming
dangerous. At any moment he might
be guilty of crime for which they, I'M
derstandlng his condition, could never
forgive themselves-for which, indeed,
they would be held morally, if not le-
gally responsible.
"When about to carry out their
resolutions, curious circumstance hap
pened. The affianced Of Grace Lysan-
der was daily expected from Europe.
Her marriage to him was to follow I'M
mediately upon his arrival. The trous-
sean was in readiness; but the man new
| - 1900 J,sfaad a faleoram WAS re-