The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-03-07

| hVuAg S@s0 AS, Uue oOOub AuIuusbut nc got up and went cut. When he came back, which he did after some time, heard him washing his hands, and at morning when went to the wash shelf on the porch saw blood stains in the bottom of the bowl"
 The truth is, unable to sleep had got ten up. I went out, lighted my pipe, and walked around, smoking. As l was returning to the house, came in contact with the end of a rail wbich projected over the fence, forcing few drops of blood from my nose.
 When 1 made. the statement, the peo- pie looked suspiciously at me. My law yer made an able speech, dwelling on the fact that was the old mans friend, and that l had nothing against him; and, although had known him 10 be some. thing of a materialist, yet supported the
 squire's opinion insomuch that as the old man had unquestionably written the note, he might have cut off his own head.
 The magistrate decided that the evil dence was sufficiently strong to justify my detention, and, as the case was not bailable, was taken to jail. had great hopes that the grand jury would fail to return an indictment, but l was disap- pointed. When it became known that the charge against me was sustained by the gentlemen in secret session, mob as- sembled and it was with great difficulty that the sheriff could keep me from the clutches of the yelling avengers.
 One morning, just before the meeting of the court before which was to be tried, the sheriff entered the jail and said: |:
 "Mr. Buck, you are free. Read this letter. It was written by crazy man, well known in this community, and was addressed to the circuit judge"
 The surprise was so gladdening-the thought of regaining my liberty and once more taking my place among respected men, filled me with such desire to throw up my hat that it was with difficulty that could repress my exultation long enough to read the letter. The docu- ment which effected my liberation ran as follows
 "Judge, while no one is bothering me, and while sit alone in my room, num- Der TOP left wing, I will drop you a few lines. We used to go to school together, didn't we, judgeS Well, some time ago -I don't know how long for sometimes it seems ten years and then ten minutes -I slipped away from the asylum. They had given me the privilege of walking out. got on train and went up to your town. It was night and nobody saw me. After had walked around awhile, got down on my knees and Tapped water out of puddle. Yes, did. saw light in house and went in. An old man with white hair was in the house. It tickled me to look at him. While we were talking, funny idea occurred to me Suppose the people were to come here in the morning and find that old mans head on the rock table, what would they say? It would puzzle 'em if he was to leave note saying that he had cut off his head and put it there. could put his head there and write the note, but the people might know his handwriting and detect the forgery. won't commit forgery. It is wrong. They send folks to the penitentiary for forgery. I'll get him to write the note.' That is the way the funny idea ran through my head. began to talk pleasantly to him, told him that owned farm a short dis tance from town. Well, do, judge. 1 wont tell lie unless it is to help along a great cause. 'Will you do me great favorr asked. He said that he would. { want to play joke on my little girl, said l. 'She can read and write, but can't. The other day she whipped her doll. I told her that she ought not to be so cruel, that if she didn't mind the doll would commit suicide. Now, tell you what l am going to do. l am going to cut off the dolls head and put it on stool and leave note, explaining the funny situation. While she is weeping over the death of the doll will take out Q nicer one which shall have handy, and make her glad. Won't you please write down the words l dictate9' He laughed at the idea, said it was the first time he had laughed for years. l told him that I was glad to afford him any amusement, and that would be grateful if he would write the words for me. He did SO and l went out slipped into a store, through window and got a new butcher knife. Then went back and found the old man