The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1884-07-15
FAR TOO PRACTICAL.
INSANE ON ACCOUNT or FIGURES.
How an Arkansaw Genius Developed
Love for Mathematics aud Where
His Unfortunate Pred,lec.
lions Landed Him.
LArkansaw l,rANelerl

lArkausaw Traveller
A strange case of insanity i now at.
trsc;ing the attention o: Arkansaw ply.
scianS \ short distance below Little
Rock lived a quiet, thoughtful man named
Matthew Pickton. The walls OF this
house were not lighted by pictures,
but here and there, neatly framed, hung
great mathematical problems deliberately
figured out. In short, = .ckton was
noted mathematician. At college he teak
Gil the mathematical prizes, aud ~ Will
d.d his tame become established tast
using the language Of reverend protes
sor, "none Of the snoozers would buck
against him"
Several months ago tramp stopped at
Pick.on's house and applied for food and
lodging.
"lcars ago, adopted rule" said Mr.
Pick;on. at man can give me u
mathematical problem that is of difficult
solution. hc can stay in my house
and eat ut my table. Otherwise, he
can not"
II can accommodate you,' the tramp
replied. Get pencil and paper"
Mr.. Pickton produced "A pencil and
mote book and the tramp, after few mo-
menrs reflection, said
"A man weighing two hundred and lhir-
ty.six pounds, while lying on his back,
snores eighteen times in one minute He
notices that the tatter he becomes the
more he snor-s, and realizes the fact that
the leaner he becomes the fewer times per
minute he shores. Now, how fat must he
become 10 snorc once every second, or how
many pounds must he lose to stop snoring
entirely"
Mr.. fickton took down the problem, and
was so well pleased that, turning and grasp
ing The tramp's hand, he said: ~,
my dear friend. that is ma .nifcent
example, and hope that it will furnish me
employment for several hours. y any
rate you may make my house your home
until the thing is worked"
The tramp put down his bundle and en-
gagged a washerwoman. Mr.. Picktou went
TO work. just before midnight he called
for glass OF milk. and as tine clock vas
striking three he demanded d half p.ut 90.
apple brandy. The tramp. who upon going
20 bed had placed the hind 10, of baked
sh AT on table near his couch OF rest,
would occasionally reach ont aud fondlv
pinch OIL fragments OF the meat IN YOU,
contemplation that he was making up the
Mr.. Pick on ate no breakfast, and when
dinner time came. SIN utently engaged,
he waved aside the dishes that we're
brought him, and again turned To his *.
ample" with that arior OF devotion which
tho true mathematician ever teels for the
problem II useless intricary The tram
continued 10 enjoy himself. lie put on
suit o. Mr.. IirhtQn's clothes, AMI, IN many
NJ lat fla, 4.
sell at home. rts anthor Of tho ''Aut .crat
OF the Breakfast Tatle''- ,cniul v,.ut.,man
said "l fancy that can lear;hey i, 4e,l~
clicA ia a calculato,'> BRAIN" Had "a. ~tt
messed the sad plight of Nh Matthew t4cA
ton. he would have said II can tear tn,
cog wheels Of that mans brain er.ndlu.
together in relentless wear"
Mr. Pickton lost his mind ere the fifth
day dawnrd. HIS rrm.va! 20 the insane
a>y .um soon became a necessity. A. THIS
institution the writer visited TIE nm or.
tunaie gentleman. ha,iu- ever held HIS in.
tell, ctual cuduw ment> i'm great esteem.
Nj. lIckton. with sn rNl rr,>iou OF c!o,,
cal, ulation, entered the reception ROOM
and threw himself on sofa. He Iycos.
nized The writer, Int Ills mind sadly wan.
dered, 70. when asked concerning the state
OF MS health, h. said:
81 -
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