The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-10-09
Select Story.
A MAD WORLD.

From Belgraria.
"Morning, Bob" says Mr.. Wilding
dropping into oBob's" chambers with hi.
usual airy grace, and sinking indolently into
chair
Good morning." calmly returns Bob, who
looks as if he ought to be addressed as
Robert, if not Bohun-his surname-which
would, of course, be even more dignifed
Briefs being new to him, and attorneys al
most unknown, he glances up from his
papers with a charmingly abstracted air
and Just soupcon of WEAKNESS, that is very
well done indeed. His friend is evidently
delighted with it, and smiles approvingly
"Used up, Bob?" he asks, with sus-
picious concern, after slight but eloquent
pause.
'sNo, nc" protests Mr.. Bohun, mildly;
''not so much that as-of course there is
responsibility attached to it, and-and
that"
"All that" says his visitor with increas-
ing sympathy; 81 feel just like you. Re
sponsibility is wearing me out. Conscience
is killing me slowly but surely ly-in fact,
making an old man of me before my time.
When | saw the wretched boy at my place
few months since, creeping and stagger-
ing up the stairs, and growing every second
more damp and unpleasant beneath the
load of briefs he held in both arms, feared
l might lose my senses, so fled to you for
advice, only to find you, if possible, in worse
case. Nv dear fellow. don't. Throw over
a client or two; do anything except kill
yourself with work"
"Oh, hang you p says Mr.. Bohun, incl
egantly and very frivolously, looking wildly
round for ruler, or any other seasonable
missile; and then they both laugh, and dig
nifty is no more. Bob foregoes grandilo-
quence and descends to commonplace.
''You know the Normans, don't you?"
asks Wilding presently.
"The old people-yes, and George l used
to know, long, long ago, but have rather
lost sight of him of late"
"Ah, yes. He's about the best of them.
He's in lunatic asylum now. Odd how
things come round.
"Nol You don'tsay SO. never heard
a word of it. l met the old man, Sir John,
at the Gorings the other night, and he said
nothing of it"
"Well, he wouldn't, you know; tisn't
likely" says Mr.. Wilding. "It's sort of
oh no; we never mention him sort of af-
fair altogether You see they set their
affections on George-swore by him; thought
he had the entire brains of the family
and when he was spun for the |. G. s.,
they nearly went out of their minds"
"Did they ?" says Bohun, with interest.
Evidently very excitable people; no doubt
it is hereditary in their family"
"EhT" says Mr.. Wilding, somewhat puz-
zled. Then-"Well, it couldn't be helped,
you know
"No, of course not, poor fellow, in tones
of the deepest commiseration.
"You're A l at sympathy says Mr..
Wilding; your face will certainly make your
fortune in court some day. Imitation, they
say, is the sincerest fattery, so don't be Of
Tended if you see ME trying to copy your
present expression. But l really can't see
that George Norman is so much to be pitied,
after ALL Things might have been worse"
"Well, | confess l don't see that"
"Oh, nonsense [ know many fellows
worse off. He says himself it is rather a
sunny berth, and that he is quite comfort
able.h
81 am glad to hear that. He doesn't
feel his position then?"
"One would think you were talking of
convict" says Mr.. Wilding, with some
contempt. 81 can tell you, in the long run
his people, in spite of their absurd pride,
were glad enough to get him in."
"That's only natural, you know, though
it sounds heartless. | dare say he was
troublesome at home"
"He was always restless sort OF peg
gar, that must be allowed; but it was a
come down, of course, from an Indian
Judgeshipp
"Well, it was-rather
"At first the old people quite despised
the notion of the asylum, but George was
headstrong, as you may remember, and very
determined, and do you know in the long
run they had the greatest difficulty in get
ting him in at ALL
"Ah! violent case, then, 1 suppose
Poor Georgel"
"What?" says Mr.. Wilding, stupidity;
and then he glances keenly at his friend,
and finally gives way to laughter, that by
degrees degenerates into a roar.
s'VioIent," says he, when he can speak,
and then laughs again so heartily that Mr..
Bohun perforce joins in the merriment,
although ignorant of its cause.
"Did you think that George was luna
tic p he says at length. "For small part
1 declare you are better than Toole"
"You said he was in lunatic asylum.
What would any one think from that ?"
demanded Mr.. Bohun, slightly aggrieved.
$50 he is, but not as patient He is
doctor of the Southway asylum. Thought
you knew that What brought me here
to-day was to bring you an invitation to a
ball at his place Imet him yesterday and
it appears he is giving his mad friends a
dance; 1 said | had never seen an affair of
the kind, and SO he asked me to get rid of
my ignorance without delay, and when l
mentioned your name q was afraid to go
myself he said he'd be awfully glad to see
you also. Will you come p
~ will, says Bohun, briskly;; II should
rather fancy renewing acquaintance with
George. He was always a very decent
fellow"
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