Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-02-20
our Lewis County Letter.
WESTON. February 18th,

hSiON, February i1tus iooo.
We are enjoying delightful weather.
The snow has disappeared gradually, hard
ly showing its effect upon the river. The
pleasant change is greatly appreciated by
the inmates of this institution, who are
glad to walk about in the open air.
In passing through Hall No. last week,
was handed small fragment OF paper
on which some patient had written, and
carelessly thrown upon the floor, the fol-
lowing eifusion:
"A passing shadow Of regret,
Though we were strangers fingers yet,
And In nights hush and loneliness,
"A starry eye, an auburn tress,
In pictured beauty comes again,
A photograph, on heart and brain,
We met, You know, by merest chance
You thrilled me with careless glance,
And to that chance, owe the bliss
OH one delightful stolen kiss
An idle hope, a vain desire,
a glimmer OF the mystic fire,
A gentle anguish.--you were gone,
felt the light OF life withdrawn.
Musing, dreaming alone tonight,
May the future be, as the past, all
bright
If original in composition, ii certainly
shows fine abilities. 1t may possibly be a
quotation; If SO | never met with il before.
In the raphsodys ofexcitement ON the part
OF many patients they give frequent ex-
pressons. OF much beauty, and If any one
could catch and follow the thoughts as
they flow they would astonish the world.
We have here u gentleman who devotes
his entire time to the composition Of poetry
He Is very peculiar in temperament and
will never admit any one to his room, or
converse with another. The matron en-
deayored to introduce me to him u short
time ago. He very tersely said, 81 have
no desire Of forming new acquaintance,
and wish you would leave my ROOM" You
may rest assured we did not tarry long
after such reception. Ii Is said that his
poetry is often very fine.
Last week visited each male hall and
recorded the name Of every one as came
to the rooms occupied by them. In Hall
No. 1, we have IS; Hall No. ., 25; Hall No.
3, ~; Hall No. 4, 36; Hall No. s, 3s; Hall
No. 8, 80; Hall No. Z, ~; Hall No. 8, "a;
Hall No. Q. "a; Hall c, 81; Brick building,
| AZ; Colored Brick, 16; making total OF
| 35l males, and on female wards there are
$50, making total Of 600 patients now un-
der treatment. One young man from Han
| cock county, was taken out under bond
last week, and returned with his father to
his home greatly improved. A few days
ago / received letter from u former in
mate, who is now in Kansas, sending
grateful thanks TO all here who aided his
recovery or gave him comfort, and describ-
ing to me the reception he met with from
father, mother, brother and sister-around
the family altar. Oh! 1t was like the joy,
we imagine, OF one returning from the
dead 1t has at times been my duty to
! give information to friends OF the mental
condition OF patients, and when able to
impart information of positive improve
ment, raising their hope of full recovery,
it has afforded pleasure to myself which
i would be unable to describe. No joy or
happiness in this world could surpass It,.
often find myself giving thanks TO God
for the christianity which has provided
such retreat for the unfortunate. =. q.