The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-07-30

Isacl VI my keepeTn ls taught %
i play the flute or some other ia.
strument The effect on my pa,
tiehts is simply marvellous
saul OF David o. some one was
sooIhed by music,@ Isaid, wonder.
Iingly, $50 I'suppose il must be good
for troubled mind,n
esimply marvellous; especially
when we hit upon the nelodysuit.
able to che case. One lady, d vic.
tim 10 religious mania, can only be
soothed by yankee Doodle e"-the
most violent Of all my patients
weeps Ikea child when his keep.
or tootles "come into the garden
Maud.D Strange psychological
fact isn't itg',
Very, said, doubttully, and
Wondering if Dr.. Wolfe, casting
aside professional gravity, were
practising, on my crGdulily. He
took no notice Of my unbelieying
accent, but continued putting his
/ J. ~ = . .
cigar SO serenely that ! was forced
to think he spoke in good faith.
The poor murderer in the corner
still gazedqt US intently. | scarce
Ily liked to put the question to the
doctor, but l felt, in case Of the
wretch growing restiye, / should
like to know his fayorite melody.
DO you fndinsanity on the in
crease or on the decline2" Iasked.
"Most decidedly on the increase.
Even now l am thinking Of build
ling a new wing, to accommodate
the people who will sooner or later
occupy it,"
MAY that need not be due to
your great reputation2n | suggest
ed-ptoFessional men dearly love a
compliment like this,
The doctor waved his hand in as
sumel self depreciation. "NOt al.
together" he said. "There are
men and women by the hundred
apparently in full possession Of
their senses whom | have known
for years, aud marked MS some day
coming-lot US hope for their own
sakes-under my care"
"But, DR.. Wofe, surely you can
not fOrctell insanity in sane per.
sons2n
aAIost undoubtedly I can, That
is one Of my great discoveries; al
low me-one moment"
He leant forward, and for Che
space of half minute looked
straight into my eyes. | was too
much surprised to speak, Then,
resuming his former easy attitude,
he asked with an air Of commisera.
ton.
"Any Of your family insane2"
AS l stated before, | am a nervous
man. The perspiration formed on
my forehead. Ny heart beat rapid
ly
"No; none at ALL" l stammercd.
Yet, even as'I spoke, it flashed
across my mind that | contributed
yearly a small sum toward the
maintenance of q distant relative,
one whom | had never seen, but
who had been in an asylum for
many years.
"You arc quite sure?" asked the
doctor, with a puzzled air,
| / trombled in every limb as |
confessed TO having third or fourth
cousin who was mad. ~
@Hal I was sure Of it," said the
doctor, in q compassionate but
triumphant voice. "There tis-
another proof ofinallibility of my
predictions. You must always 60
a long way up the pedigree to find
the source. Now, if you will trace
back"
"Good heavens" l cried, "you
cant mean to tell mo that l shall
ever go mad, DIR, Wolfe2"
Certainly you will unless you
happen to die first, he answered,
cheerfully. II never met with Q
case l could diagnose more satisfac.
toriy. But what then2 Come t.
me; you will be kindly treated, ant
most likely will bo happier thar
you are now. Meanwhile, let me
take down your name and address
and, ifyou can give me another
cigar, l shall be much Obliged"
Isankback unneryedand speech
less My eyes were riveted on th'
speakers face as fixedly as l hayt
seen a ,felon's eyes riveted on the
face Of the Judge who had JUS
drawn on the black cap. Wordi
will not describe the state Of m,
mini I holiavo lhare 10 No mar