The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-05-31
TOO PRACTICAL.
A We'll Known Man Who Became In
 sane OnSAccount of Mathematics.

sane On Account of N Mathematics.
 A strange case ofinsanity is now attract ing the attention of Arkansaw physicians. A short distance below Little Rock lived a quiet. thoughtful man named Matthew Hekton. The walls of his house were not lighted by pictures. bu, here and there. neatly framed, hung srea, mashe- matical problems elaborately figured out. In short, Pickton was a noted mashe- matican. At college he took all the mathematical prizes, and ss well did his fame become established that, using the language of a reverend professor. none of the snoozers would buck agains, him .'
 Several months ago. a tramp stopped a, Piekton's house and applied for food and lodging.
 "Years ago. 1 adopted rule," said Mir. nekton. If a man can give me A mathematical problem that IS of difiieul, solution, he can stay in my house and ca, al my table. O,herwise, he cannot. '
 "I can accommodate you." the tramp replied. Ge, pencil and paper"
 Mir. Pick,on produced pencil and notebook, and the tramp, after a few mo- ment's reflection, said:
 A man weighing two hundred and thiry-sis pounds. while lying on his back, snotes eighteen times in one minute. He notices that the fAtter he becomes the more he snores, and realizes the fac, tha, the ieaner he becomes the fewer times per minute he snores. Now, how tat mus, he become to snoTe once every second, or hos many pounds must he lose to stop snoring entirely F' Mir. Pickton took down the problem, and was so well pleased that, turning and grasping the tramp's hand, he said
 My dear friend, that is magni6oen, example, and hope that it will furnish me employment for several hours. A, any rate you may make my house your home until the thing is worked"
 The tramp put down his bundle, and engaged washerwoman. Mir. riekion went to work. lust before midnight, he called for a glass of milk, and as the clock was striking three, he demanded a half pin, of apple brandy The tramp who upon going to bed had placed the hind leg of a baked shoa, on table near his couch of rest, would occasionally reach out and fondly pinch off fragments of the meat in joyous contemplation ,ha, he was making up the time los, during a long fast.
 Mir. Pickton ate no breakfast, and when dinner time came, still inten,iy engaged, he waved aside the dishes tha. were brought him, and again turned to his CT. ample" with tha, ardor of devotion which the true mathematician ever feels for the problem cf useless intricaey. The tramp continued to enjoy himself. He pu, on a sui, of Mir. P.ekson's clothes, and, in many other little ways, proceeded to make himself al home. The author of the Autocrai of the Breakfast Table genial gentleman said: "I fancy tha, can hear the wheels click in a caicuIa tors brain" Had he witnessed the sad plight cf Mir. Matthew Pickion, he seait have said: eI can hear the coz wheels of that mans brain grinding together in relentless wear"
 Mfr. Pickton los, his mind ere the fifth day dawred- His removal to the insane asylum soon became a necessity. Al this institution the writer visited the ua- fortunate gentleman, having ever held his intellectual endowmenss in great esteem. Mir. Pickton, with an expses- sion of close calculation, entered the re- ception room, and threw himself on sofa He recognized the writer, bu, his mind sadly wandered, tor when asked concerning the state of his hezih. he said:
 Ihi1y-
 " suppose tha: you are yell safis6ed with the location of shis inssitutinn r
 Sixy-shree-"
 "Ys= seem .e he ie e=eelle.s h>sl.A Mr. Piekfcn 7"
 Yes the eighsy-fous sf " general sevesfy-six is exceedingly fortynise-
 Hov long d. yoa ezpscf b semais hese~
 si am undecided concerning my twenfv-two. hv bu1inens of eirhfv-eiehf