Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-08-22

asylum to the care OF his trends.
Meantime, however, he was to be close
ly watched, and no garden tools or
other implements put into his hands.
How he had managed to eIude the vigi-
lance of the orderly under whose sur
veillance he had been placed, and to be
where | met him, was one of the things
L never understood. But so it was.
When he saw me his melancholic de-
meanor ceased; he advanced with rapid
strides towards me, ana / saw at once
that he meant mischief of some sort or
other; for every muscle of his body was
trembling with passion, and on every fea-
ture of his face was pictured that of a
demon. [ confess that fear came over
me. What was this maniac going to do?
But to show apprehension would be ia
tai, so faced him boldly, and exclaim-
ed: " Hollo, Matthews what are you
doing here? Why are you not in the
airing grounds with the others?"
He turned a wild and flashing eye
upon me, and glared like a wild beast.
Then he howled out, rather than said:
I" LetGmeout of this p ....
sFWhat do you mean p I replied, re-
solving if possible to gain time, and
trusting that presently an orderly might
pass and relieve me from the terrible d.
lemma in which / stood.
Let me out y he repeated. CT
have been too long in this vile place. [
want to rejoin my regiment, to see my
poor old mother and Mary, my sweet
heart. Why am I here? am not mad
like the others. God knows that, so do
you But if [ am kept much longer Ishall
be stark-staring mad. Let me out, I
sayW
He was now boiling over with frenzy.
Still [ kept my ground. Matthews"
l said, 81 know that you are not mad,
so listen a moment. How can get you
out! am not the head doctor. can't
act without his orders. Your removal
has been recommended by him. I'll
go and consult him now"
"No, you won't, indeed"
"Well, can't release you. It would
be as much as my commission is worth
to connive at your escape. [ should be
tried by court martial and cashiered, if
nothing worse. That you must be aware
of. F"
"That's no matter to me. I'll make
| you! See this!" He opened the loose
gray pea jacket he wore, and, to my
horror, took from within it a round paw
ing 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 slenderest of threads. [ had no
means of defense. The rules prevented
my taking into the interior of the asylum
even walking stick, and man to man
the maniac was taller and stronger than /.
| The soldier raised the stone in his UP
| lifted hands and held it over my head,
which was protected only by my reguls-
| ton forage-cap. [ expected every in
slant that [ should be crushed beneath
| it, but still the man seemed nresolute to
strike. Then, while Damocles-like, the
missile hung above me, a sudden idea
flashed across my mind: "What it l try
to dodge him %
"Put down that stonel" I cried out.
d" Let me out, theni" he answered.
Put down that stone, and l will.
But first declare that you will tell no
one who did it or how it was done"
Doctor, swearr And then, to my
lnexphcable relief, he lowered his raised
hands.
I looked round once .again, really to
spy if any official was in sight; but in
such sly, covert way as to make Mat
thews believe that I feared an caves
dropper.
''You know the locality outside the
barracks?"
"Yes. I was stationed here some
years ago with my regiment"
"Well, this door F" Cpointing to one
which was close to u.s. "leads down a
very short passage to another exit open
ing onto the Denes. y I'D ...---..
He was now all ears-every nerve
strained to hear what [ had to tell him.
Here, take this key" I put into
! his outstretched hand one that I hap
pened to have in my pocket; I forgot
to what it belonged, but I knew that it
would fit no lock inside the asylum.
He grasped it eagerly, and at the same
time dashed the paving stone on the
floor. .......-- ....
What then, sir?" he asked in less
excited tones.
"This. With my pass key I shall
let you into the passage. Grope your
way for yard or two down, feel for
the lock of the outer door, open it with
this key-and escape"
4" You will tell no one that I am gone
take no steps to have me caught?
Remember this: If I am brought back
III murder you"
Mathews! if you escape by the
method | have pointed out no one shall
know it.
"You are the soldiers friend!' he re-
piled. ''Let me shake hands with you
SIR
did not feel happy when found my
palm wrung within his, but quickly
opened the door alluded to, and without
the least shadow of suspicion he entered
Immediately. Once he was fairly in, I
pulled it to with a great bang which
shook the very walls. He was inclosed
in bath room.
The STRAIN of excitement over, reaction
came on. I felt sick and faint, and knew
no more until [ saw one of the officials
and my servant stopping over me. The