Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-29

whose phase Of insanity was somewhat
puZZling the head surgeon and myself.
Without entering upon details l shall
merely say that we had doubts upon his
case, and had recommended his removal
from the asylum to the care of his friends.
Meantime, however, he was to be closely
watched, and no garden tools or nipple
| ments put into his hands. How he had
managed to elude the vigilance of the
orderly under whose surveillance he had
been placed, and to be where / met him,
was one of the things / never understood.
But so ii was.
When he saw me his melancholic de-
meanor ceased; he advanced with rapid
strides toward me. and saw at a glance
| that he meant mischief of some sort or
| other; for every muscle of his body was
trembling with passion, and on every
featureot his face was pictured that of a
demon. l confess that fear came over
me. What was this maniac going to do?
But to show apprehension would be fatal.
so l faced him boldly and exclaimed /:
'Hollo, Mathews! what are you doing
/ here! Why are you not in the airing
grounds with the others?''
He turned a wild and flashing eve upon
me, and glared like a wild beast. Then
he howled out rather than SAID: "Let me
out of this.''
"What do you mean?" replied. resolv-
ing, if possible, to gain time, and trusting
that presently an orderly might pass and
relieve me from the terrible dilemma in
which | stood.
LET me Out!v he repeated. 81 have
been too long in this vile place. | want
to reioin my regiment: to see my poor old
mother, and Mary, my sweetheart. Why
am | here? / am not mad like the others.
God knows that; so do you. But
II am kept much longer | shall be stark,
staring mad. Let me out, l say!'
lie was now boiling over with frenzy.
Still kept my ground. 'Mathews." l
said, Il know that you are not mad; so
listen moment. How can let YOU out
| am not the head doctor. / can't act
without his orders. Your removal has
been recommended by him. I'll 90 and
consult him nOw.v
mo, you won't, indeed.''
"Well, l can't release you. 1t would
be as much as my commission is worth to
connive at your escape. l should be tried
| by cOurt-martial and cashiered, if not
worse. That you must be aware Of
THAT'S no matter to me. I'll make
you. See thisn' He opened the loose
gray pea-lacket he wore, and, to my hOr-
rOr, took from within it a round paving
stone of some pounds in weight, such as
the courtyard of the building was paved
| with. How he had managed to obtain
and to secrete it was another mystery.
a cold perspiration broke out upon me.
My life seemed to be hanging by the slen-
derest of threads. | had no means of de-
tense; the rules prevented my taking into
the interior OF the asylum even a walking
stick; and man to man. the maniac was
taller and stronger than |.
The soldier raised the stone i'm his up-
! lifted hands, and held it over my head,
which was protected only by my regula-
ton forage cap. | expected every instant
that should be crushed beneath it; but
still the man seemed irresOlute to strike
Then, while DamOcles like the missile
hung above me, a sudden idea flashed
/ across my mind: "What if try to dodge
him.
Put down that stone!" l cried out.
LET me out. them" he answered.
Put down that stone, and | will. But
first declare that you will tell no one who
did 1t or how it was done"
doctor, | Swear!' And then. TO nv
lneXpllcable relief, he lowered his raised
hand.
looked around once again, really to
spy If any official was IN sight; but in
such sly, covert way, as to make Math-
ews believe that | feared an eavesdrop-
per.
You know the locality outside the bar
racksE'
Eyes. | was stationed here some wears
ago with my regiment"
Nv ell, this door pointing to one which
was close to us ''lcads down to Il very
short passage to another exit opening on
to the Denes.''
He was now all ears-every nerve
strained to hear what l had to tell him.
Here, take this key" put into his
stretched-out hand one that / happened
to nave IN my pocket; ! forget to what it
belonged, but knew that it wonld fit no
lock inside the asylum. He grasped if
eagerly. and at the same time dashed the
paving stone on the floor.
what then, sir?' he asked in less ex-
cited tones.
This. With my pass-key l shall let
you INTO the passage. Crepe your way
FOR yard or two down; feel for the lock
oil the outer door; open it with this key
and-escape."
You Will tell no one that | am gone
take no steps to have me caught? Re
member this: If | am brought back I'll
murder you.''
Matthews, if you escape by the method
l pointed out no one shall know it,"
~ GU are the soldiers friendr' he re-
Piled. LET me shake hands with you, sir"
dId not feel happy when | found my
palm Wrung within his; but | quickly
~ - "COi olluueu W, anu WITHOUT
the least shadow of suspicion he entered
Immediately. Once he was fairly in [
pulled 1t to with bang which shook the
very walls. He was incloscd in bath
room.
The strain Of excitement over, reaction
came on. felt sick and faint, and knew
no more until / saw one of the officials
ana my servant STOPPING over me. The
former going his rounds, had found me
lying on the floor, and as soon as came
to my senses | told them what had hap
pened, and steps were taken to have
Mathews so watched that in future paw
ing stones would never again be in his
possession. l took care also never to per-
ambulate the asylum without my orderly
escort.