Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-26
1alfs aud Sketthes.
LOST ART AND WEALTH
By J. w. WATSON.

kean, who invariably, upon entering
place where there was lunatic asylum.
Immediately visited it, and studded its
every phase. before he did anything else.
Whether this was because the tragedian
had latent terror or belief that he would
ultimately became an inmate of one. like
poor Mccullough, cannot say; but. with
myself. | think it was simply morbid
curiosity that grew by what it fed on.
Sufficient to say that while this mania
lasted with me obtained letter from an
influential source to DR.. K. the su-
perintendent of one of the largest avs
lums in the State, and man Justly looked
upon as being one of the greatest experts
in that line living. and presented it.
The doctor was simply charming, and
after interesting me for an hour with the
most absorbing "reminiscences of his pro-
fes.ion. said, in an off-hand way:
Now will put you in the hands of
one of our people who knows more OF the
history of this place and its inmates than
all the attendants put together; in fact.
more than do myself. You will like
him." and touching his bell. he said to
the one who answered the summons,
| 'send Beauseant here"
In few minutes there entered tall
hite-haired man, very well dressed. and
with most intellectual and amiable face.
whom the doctor introduced as Mr.. Beau.
seanr, stated to him my business. adding,
pleasantly. that was in the literary line,
and would doubtless make use in that way
of any knowledge or incidents he might
be able TO impart.
! found Mr.. Beauseant most agreeable
guide and companion, an educated man,
and good linguist, always addressing
the inmates of various countries in their
own language, talking with all svmpa-
thizingly. bringing forth the different
forms of mania skilfully and inielligently,
and illustrating them with anecdotes of
deep interest. For two hours he escorted
me through the vast establishments, never
for ore moment losing the thread of what
he was saving, or firing me with his com
ments or variations, and at the end of that
time invited me into what he called his
little cave, a small apartment, kept in ex-
quisite order and lastly decorated. al
though the works of art predominated on
religious subjects. There we sat down to
talk on Indifferent matters. and, AS was
very natural, | said, pardon me, Mr..
Beauseant, but it is not idle curiosity that
| SuOulu dSh HOW IL 10 tHstl NOu happen "
be here. You seem a superior man for
your position. What brought you here?"
did not say as keeper. or attendant,
but that was what | wanted to say. |
thought he WINGED little, and then re-
piled:
Yes. perhaps it is strange, but l have
been all my life more or less interested in
the study of insanity, but the absolute
cause of my being here in my present
position grew from a circumstance that,
should tell it, would sound like an i'm
probable romance. though it is strictly
true, and has Influenced my life for the
last twenty years"
OF course. my storytelling profession
was aroused at once, and begged HIM to
tell me the tale. He was not at all I'M
willing, and told me the story:
Twenty years ago came from France,
which, as you can tell by my speech.
is nv native land, am of the ancient
family Of Beauseant of Lorraine. and
am myself the count Beauseant, al
though never use my title. and | nave
abundant wealth, but prefer to stay here "
Absorbed rs | was on the subject,
looked with establishment on the accom-
plished man who chose to surrender wealth
and title to dwell in a madhouse and care
for lunatics
"My father still lived when, at the age
of %. the spirit OF adventure caused me to
leave my ancestral home and come to
America longed to see the boundless
prairie. the vast forest. the stealthy red
skin, to hunt the buffalo. and know the
meaning of camp life.
when arrived in New York sought
out men whom | was told were familiar
with the great West. and asked their adj
vice. They gave it. If | wished to see
wild life in its perfection | must Join the
Great American Fur Company, and 60
out to one of their frontier posts. This
soon did, and in little time found my
self quartered at Fort William, on North
Lake Superior. with as much of the In
dian (Oiibbewa) element, hunting and
fishing. about me as the most ardent novel
reader on those subjects could desire
at was not an uncommon event for
parties of trappers and hunters. some
times numbering as many as fifty, to start
out from the post at the fort and remain
away month. taking out their provisions
and stores on carts and sleds, according
to the season drawn by the men them
selves. and bringing in the same laden
with furS.
"On as many of these excursions as
could always went, so that | remained
in the field most of the time. and became
very popular among the men for my per
severance and danger daring. tor in this
latitude the winter lasts seven months of
the wear, the thermometer frequently rat
ing 80 or 40 degrees below zero
blew on my fingere as BeauSeant told
this. though it was a sweltering day in
July.
"Well, one dav in early January. |
Joined n party of forty-six that started
northward from the fort and on the fourth
dav out we calculated that we were
about sixty miles from the fort in
a northwesterlv direction. 1t was nearly
sunset when we started drove of bears.
and a chase commenced in all directions
myself and two others pursuing an old
bear and two cubs. somehow, through
nv carlessness, became separated from
my companions. and when | shouted and
tried to make my way back to camp got
no response. and, as found out after
ward. only wandered further away
Then night fell, and was obliged to
seek sleeping place on the south side Of
a rock. where built fire. and turned in
supperless. The next morning | shot a
RABBIT. made nv break fast. and trudged
on in the direction | suOnospd my MARTY