Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1883-08-23

want to rejoin my, regiment, to see m,
poor old mother and Mary. nv sweet
heart. Why am Z here am NOT mar
like the others. God knows that 30 "a, d.
you. But if I am kept much longer Ishal
be stark-staring mad. Let me out, j
sayl"
BE was row boiling over with frenzy,
Still / kept my ground. Matthews,'
L sald, " l know that you are not mad,
30 listen moment. How can I get YOU
out! am not the head doctor. I cant
act without his orders. Your removal
has been recommended by him. I'll
go and consult him now."
| I No, yon won't, indeed.h
We'll, i ca 7 release you.s It would
be as much asniy commission is worth
to connlve at your escape. I should be
tried by court martial and cashiered, ii
nothing worse. That you must be aware
That's no matter to me. I'll make
you'll See thisl" He opened the loose
gray pea jacket he wore, and, to my
horror, took from within it 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. 1 had no
means of defense. The rules prevented
my taking into the interior of the asylum
even q walking stick, and man to man
the maniac was taller and stronger than 1.
The soldier raised the stone in his up.
lifted hands and held it over my head,
which was protected only by my regula-
ton forage-cap. I expected every in
slant that 1 should be crushed beneath
it, but still the man seemed irresolute to
strike. Then, while Danocle les-like, the
missile hung above me, a sudden idea
flashed aorossmy mind: "What it 1 try
to dodge hin? 2"
" Put down that stonel" cried out.
"Let me out, thenl" he answered.
Issa" Put down that stone, and I will.
But first declare that you will tell no
one who did it or how it was DONE"
Doctor, swear" And then, to my
lnexpicable relief, he lowered his raised
hands.
I looked round once again, really to
spy if any official was in sight; but in
such ally, covert way as to make Mat
thews believe that / feared an caves
dropper.
barracks2"
Yes. I was stationed hero some
years ago with my regiment.
"Well, this door" (pointing to one
which was close to us) "leads down a
very short passage to another exit OPEN
ing onto the Denes."
He was now all ears-every nerve
strained to hear, what I 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, bnt knew that it
would fit no lock inside the asylum.
He grasped it eagerly, and at the same
time dashed the paving stone 8on the
floor. ~
What then, sir?" he asked in less
excited tones.
,"This. With my pass key shall
let you into the passage. Grope your
way for a yard or two down, feel for
the lock OF the outer door, open it with
this key-and escape.
"Yon will tell no one that I am gone
take no steps to have me caught?
Remember this: II I am brought back
I'll murder you"
Z" Mathewsl if You escape by the
method | have pointed out no one shall
know it."
You are the soldiers friend!" he re-
piled. Let mo shake hands with you
SIR"
I did not feel happy when l 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 great bang which
shook the very walls. He was inclosed
in bath room.
The strain of excitement over, reaction
came on. felt sick and faint, and knew
no more until 1 saw one, Of the officials
and my servant STOPPING over me. The
former, going his rounds, found me ly-
ing on the floor; and as soon as 1 came
to my senses, told them what had hap
pened; and steps wero SO taken to have
Mathews 80 watched that in future paw
ing stones would never again be in his
possession. l took care also never again
to perambulate heIasylum without my
orderly escort. - Chambers Journal.