The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-07-28

]
merly, and his future dreams, also, to judge
by appearances, seemed to partake of the
mild and serene character of his thoughts.
The facts Of recent case of somnambulism
on the railroad cars in a Western State, and
the subjects remarkable evasion of fatal
consequences, are int resting.
The train in the River Division, en- route
from Milwaukee to Minneapolis, had on
board, among other passengers, one morn
ing a Mrs. Wright and her two sons. AS
the train approached Weaver, the elder of
of the two sons, aged sixteen, fell asleep,
and, after the train had left the station, and
was moving at the rate of twenty miles per
hour, arose from his seat, and, of course, un-
known to himself passed on to the platform,
and stepped from the train.
His mother noticed him as he passed out.
but thought nothing of it, and gave herself
no uneasiness. Supposing he had gone into
the next car, she began a search for him, but
he was not to be found. The conductor was
at once notified, and, after the cars had been
searched. he caused the train to be backed
slowly to the station.
Anxious eyes peered along the side of the
road, but no traces of the missing boy could
be found, except place in the snow that
looked as though he might have fallen there
Arriving at the station without finding the
boy, the mother and other son were left, and
the train proceeded.
The mother suffered the greatest agony of
mind, which was only relieved several hours
after by seeing her son come walking up the
track He stated that he knew nothing of
hTt 20 lxy lrr;y,
his side on ice and snow. He arose, and
wandered from the track, but afterward fol-
lowed It back to the station The iov of
Mrs. Wright was unutterabIe, and mother
and sons awaited the next train to continue
their Journey to Minneapolis.
Since the DAYS when witches and "spook
boys" rode farmers horses into reekinp
sweats between dark and dawn. there have
been few equestrianSdventuresq queerer than
the following:
A peddler named Jonas Marburger has, for
many years, tramped over various sections
Of Pennsylvania, selling his wares and by a
consistent course he has won the confidence
and esteem of a number Of acquaintances.
At about five O'Clock on a recent afternoon
the pedder opened his pack in the kitchen of
man ramed Eshelstaub, in Albany town.
ship. The farmers wife purchased what she
desired, and the peddler, according to the
custom of that neighborhood, was asked to
remain for supper, which he did. and subse-
qupntly determined to stav all nigh.
The farmer owns quite nice tract of land
and during the evening much Of the conyer-
satiOn centered upon matters pertaining to
farming. At about nine O'Clock the peddIer
was shown to a large garret under the roof.
where he was to sleep.
The family retired, and nothing unusual
occurred until some time near midnight.
when the farmer was awakened by the bark
ing Of watch-dogs and the tramping Of a
horses hOofs. He arose and looked out of
the window toward the barn, when an extra
ordinary sight met his gaze. The dogs were
in an adjoining field, and strange to say,
there appeared to be ghost riding on one of
the farmers young horses.
The farmer called the hired man, and, on
going TO the garret with lantern, they found
the bed, which had been occupied, empty.
and the peddler gone, but his clothes still
hanging on chair where he had evidently
placed them. The farmer and hired man
went down stairs, and found that all the
doors were locked as they were before they
retired. Going ont they found the horse still
/ In full gallop under the direction of his mys-
[ teriOus rider.
The hired man watched his chance, caupht
the animal, and. upon closer examin alton
/ found that the rider was the peddler. who
sat there like statue, and was in a complete
state OF somnambulism. He had nothing or
him excepting his shirt, undershirt, drawer,
and stockings, and, notwithstanding the
c0ldness OF the night, he was perspirinp free.
/ lywhen lifted down. They could not waken
him properly until he was led into the bouse
and when he came to his senses, he seemed
to know nothing of what had occurred. IT,
seemed startled at being out of bed and dovr
stairs in such apparel.
Subsequent examination showed that th,
man, in his strange state, had worked hi.
| way out of trap-dOor to the roof, and thence
down to roof of back building, and theme,
to the ground.
Not long since, William Lewis, a farme
near Indianapolis, was missed at home, Will
Valse and clothing, one morning, and no
until the close of the third day was his where
abouts known. At that time he returned
and reported that on the night of his disap
pearance he had gone to bed as usual. an,
was soon asleep. He dreamed that he arose
packed his valise, walked to Indianapolis
and took the eastern bound cars. His sur
prise upon awaking. and finding himself sew
enty-fve miles from home can better he i'm
agtned than described. How he purchased
| his ticket without his state being detected h,
/ the agent, and how he slumbered seranel,
through all the din and noise of the grea
Union Depot, are among the TROUBLESOME,
| things one can never find ont
Science does not explain all the facts n
somnamoulism. The somnambulist, as W,
have shown, moves about in the dark as read
/ lily as in the light, fearlessly puts himself il
/ dangerous positions, securely stands on slim
/ perry places, and executes feats of agility inn
/ possible to him when awake. Sometimes h.
/ performs difficult work he has been known
| to paint picture in utter darkness, nd d,
other acts, such as required for their execu
ton no ordinary intelligence in wide-awak,
men. And, as in the cases already present
ed, when the somEambu list wakes from hi,
unnatural condition. he knows literally moth
ing of his extraordinary acts
Occasionally the somnambulist appears In
humorous character, as did the woman in
/ the following anecdote, whose truthfuInss,
( is Vuuched for
One night certain grandmother wa,
awakened by somebody fumbling sbout tbs
| bedroom.
who's there ?'' she asked.