The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-07-18

Ieyes riveted on the face of the Judge
who had Just drawn on the black cap.
Words will not describe the state of my
mind. believe there is no man living
who, in some crisis, some misfortune,
some deep grief or mental depression.
has not asked himself the question,
IAN losing my witsT' or "May !
not lose themp" Who, then, can won
der at my horror and despair when ]
heard the greatest authority in England
the man against whose fiat there could
be no appeal-declare that was DIES.
tined to 60 out of my mind? seemed
to be in CHASTITY dream, and as l lay
quivering and gasping with fright
saw. or fancied 1 saw, twinkle OF
fiendish exultation in the eyes of the
silent lunatic at the other end of the
carriage.
| The bland doctor-the bearer of the
bow-string-tookn no notice of my natu-
raj agitation. He simply held out his
hand for the expected cigar. / positive
" hated him. tried to frame prayer
that when the awful hour which he SO
surely predicted did come, my partic-
ular mania might be homicidal. and
that the nearest and most convenient
throat to cut might be that of DR..
Wolfe.
At last faltered out:
'.But you may be mistaken; the wisest
are liable to err"
81 never make mistake; certainly
could not mistake such clearly defined
symptoms as yours. Why, my dear
sir, 1 can look into the eyes of child
in the cradle, and say: ''If that child
lives, and l live long enough, shall
see it put under restraint. That is why
l must enlarge my asylum-so many
cases which I marked down in early
infancy are now getting due"
This was perfectly awful ! gazed
helplessly at the glib speaker. l felt
like one in a mesmeric trance.
..And let me tell you," continued DR..
Wolfe, dropping his voice to a confiden-
tial whisper, but gradually speaking
louder as he proceeded, lit is not only
so far as regards human beings that i
have the power of detecting the sleep
ing symptoms. In the brute creation
nay, even in inauimate objects, l can
find them, and foretell what must hap
pen. My journey to town to-day is
partly to inform the President of the
Board of Trade that have detected I'M
doubted symptoms of approaching in
sanity in the huge steam roller used in
Bath to crush the stones into the roads
symptoms of the worst, the most dan
gerous type. The consequences will be
frightful when the machines mania is
fully developed. I ask you, sir, did
you ever picture steam roller in a
frenzy--the destruction to life and
property when such a ponderous mass
of metal becomes uncomfortable, and
exercises its stupid strength to the det-
riment of respectable citizens? Who is
to check it? They may send for me.
but what can l do? What padded room
will be strong enough to restrain its
mad and unreasoning rage? No. sir,
not moment must be lost. Immediate
steps must be taken, and it will be my
duty to urge Mr. Chamberlain to issue
an order for its destruction before its
fury renders it too late"
As he finished this extraordinary
statement, | heard something very
much like chuckle proceeding from
the other corner of the carriage. l
turned, and once more encountered the
eyes of the supposed lunatic; in Sec
ond knew the whole truth. Fool that
l was to have been bamboozled by an
artful mailman, let alone frightened
out of my senses by his ridiculous as
sertions. Even the feeling of relief /
experienced did not compensate for the
annoyance of having been so complete
ly tricked. The conditions of the two
travellers were absolutely reversed.
The glib. self-styled doctor was the
patient; the poor creature whose hands
were said to be red with the blood of
his amiablc wife and twin babies was
either DIR. Wolfe or some one of his en-
ploy. Now that the scales had fallen
from my eyes. it was curious how diff
ferent the man in the corner looked,
and cursed my stupidity in misread-
ing his knowing chances.
The expression Of relief which crossed
my face doubtless showed my late tor
mentor that he had committed himself.
He relapsed into silence and pretended
to sleep; though no doubt his fertile,
but erratic, brain was busy Matching
some other preposterous scheme, in
order to facilitate the escape which l
felt sure he was trying to effect. Isaid
nothing, but awaited the upshot with
anxiety. Looking at his powerful
frame, it seemed doubtful If the united
strength of myself and the man in the
corner would suffice to overpower him
if he turned FESTIVE.
1 knew we must be getting near
Swindon. The impostor must also
have known it. as he begin TO tidget
about. Presently he whispered:
''In case the poor fellow grows
troublesome, l may rely upon you?'
Undoubtedly" replied. Just then
the shrill whistle sounded.
do you happen to have kew about
you?" he asked. Il should like to lock
the door this side"
s'The door is locked" / said, leaning
my arm on the window-sill. At the
same time noticed that the man in
black had edged up two seats nearer to
US.
As the train steamed slowly along the
wide platform, an elderly man, with a
face full of anxiety, peered into our
carriage; then, laying his hand upon
the door-handle, he ran side by side
with us until we came to halt.
.'Swindon! Swindonr' shouted the
porter. The tall man began to show
signs OF great agitation. He glanced
from door to door, twisted his fingers
nervously, then, turning his eyes to me
beseechingly, tried to stammer out q
few words. Suddenly he made dash
for the door. stood up ready to rem
der what assistance l could. My aid
was not wanted. The man in black