Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-03-31
FREAKS OF A sOMNAMBULIsT.

Johnny L. hoDertS nau been drum
mer-boy in one of the regiments of
New York State Volunteers, and ut the
close of the war, after lettering about
his old home in Auburn few months,
importuned me TO accompany him to the
West. In our youthful fancy we pictured
the Great West rs an Eldorado, and
Chicago as its capital. To this capital,
therefore, we directed our course, but,
like thousands who had preceded us,
we arrived there only to be disappointed.
The posies we had expected to find
seemed as remote as the fountain of
youth proved to De Leon. We were
discouraged, however, only afternumer-
Gus adventures and failures common to
boys who had for the first time invaded
n large city. Then we turned our backs
upon the mythical capital, and sought
employment at Mosherville, among the
agricultural districts of Michigan. Dur
ing our brief stay in Chicago, my
companion for the first time developed
the peculiarities of somnambulist.
The excitement incident to the days
adventures continued with him at
night, and vocalized his dreams. The
phenomenon was a novelty. to me, and
naturally encouraged it. Neither of
us had had much experience in earning
our bread after the Scriptural code, and
the laborious life of farm therefore taxed
lis severely. Upon young Roberts the
work was particularly arduous, and
this burden, together with the recent
excitement experienced. tended to ag-
gravate his mental eccentricity ma
terially.
By days we were inseparable, and by
night we lodged in small bedroom
opening into the sitting-room of n large
farmhouse. To this room there was
but one window, which was within q
few feet of the ground. We always
went to our bed together, and rarely
without engaging in some cheerful con-
versation. So suddenly would my COM
panion fall asleep, that in our converse
there was scarcely lull, and the only
means had of determining that he had
1apsed into the land of his vivid dreams
was by an abrupt change in the sub
ject of the colloquy, or by some ir-
rational remark.
A few moments of silence would fol-
low this semi-unconscious state, and
then the silence would be broken, and
his words would become coherent,
though he was sound asleep-sleeping
so soundly, indeed, that by no possible
means could he be awakened until, as
morning approached, his sleep became
: SPENT, Boy-like, / had keen relish
for the entertainment which the freaks
of the young somnambulist afforded,
and naturally did for him the worst
possible thing that could do. by reply
ing TO all his unconscious talk, thus ir.
ritating what was rapidly developing in
TO malady.
AT the beginning of his experience a
somnambulist, he confined himself Il
words, but these were soon supple
mented with deeds. To my surprise, HI
suddenly arose, one moonlight night
partially dressed himself, and almos
before could realize his movements, 81
quick were they, he had thrown up th'
window-sash, and feet first had dartet
through the opening as nimble as |
squirrel. My toilet probably never wa
arranged more quickly than then, TO
only Il moment. later was through tn
window and in hot pursuit caugh
but a glimpse of my companion as h
disappeared throught the doorway O
barn located about 800 yards distant
Hurrying TO the barn my entranc
through the front door was the sigma
for his exit through the rear. and tha
began an uneven chase. had boaste
NOT a little OF the nimbleness of m
feet, and on this occasion they wer
not handicapped with shoes and stocl
irgs, but they were no match for I'll
feet Of the sleeper In sixty seconds
possibly less time. was distancel
apd-witIi a weird laugh, made doubl