The Irish standard., 1886-11-06
I NARROW ESCAPE.
How Chicago Capitalist Duped Tenn.
porarily Insane Friend.

How Chicago Capitalist Duped Tenn
porarily Insane Friend.
GO have not the least doubt" sale
an eminent American physician at a
recent medical convention, ..that al
least one out of every ten of the people
of this county live under some form oil
insanity. In some it becomes Violent
in others noticeable; in others never
known nor suspected, except there is
what might be termed collusion OF
circumstances.
There have been some curious cases
of this last species Of insanity. Some
seven or eight years ago a well-known
public official of the State OF Ohio
visited Niagara Falls with his family
for q months rest. He was nervous
and worn out, and there were certain
business and political matters which
followed him there and could not b,
shaken OF. The gentleman did not
realize that his nerves were at all
shaken; OIL the contrary, he pridel
himself in believing that he could en-
dnre more mental worry than three or
dinary men. He had been at the falls
three or four days when be was Joined
by a Chicago capitalist. The two had a
speculation together, and the details
were to be settled here.
One day after dinner the pair went
into Prospect Park and sat down on q
bench facing the rapids, and not over
five feet from the water. When they
had talked for an hour or so, the Ohio
gentleman seemed TO be somewhat ex-
C ted in his speech aud movements.
He threw several sticks into the water,
talked ia loud tones and soon attracted
attention The capitalist thought it q
bit queer, but felt no uneasiaess until
the other suddenly seized him in a tre-
mendous grip and said:
'Blank, you are 8 scoundrel, and I N
going to send you over the falls!''
The capitalist was the smaller and
the weaker man, and he felt the help
lessness: OF the situation. He was
gripped by the shoulders, but he used
his hands to clench the seat behind
him, and replied to the iunatic:
II know I'm Il bad man, and you
must give me time to pray
GAIL right, al right" said the
Ohioan; ''you shall have two minutes
for prayers, and then we'll go over the
falls together. Say, Blank, you are a
good fellow, after I'll, and Well go
together
The idea with The Chicago man was,
of course. to gain time. The people
who had been attracted by the loud
talk had passed on, and it so hap
pened that no one else came that way.
lie hoped the luna5ic might change his
mind after two OF three minutes, but
instead of that he grew more impa-
tient, declaring that they must hurry
up or they would be too late, De-
spairing Of aid from others, the capi-
talist finally said:
s'See here, Mr., Blank, let's go up
and jump off the Goat Island bridge.
Well have further to swim, and I
want to leave my wallet with some
one
s.By George! Good idea; come on!'
exclaimed the other, and they walked
up the path and out Of the park arm in
arm. They were no sooner out Of
sight Of the rapids than the Ohioan be-
gan to grow calmer, and as they
bore off toward the hotels he
removed his hat, scratched his
head in thoughtful way and
picked up the point be dropped
quarter OF an hour before, and went
on debating the transaction as if Moth
ing unusual had occurred. An hour
later, when asked il he was in earnest
i'll threatening his friend. he was COM
pletely eumbfounded, nor could he be
made TO believe that any thing Of the
sort had occurred. However, a dim
suspicion that he might have been lr,-
duly excited by the roar and clash OF
sne waters crept into his mind. He
went down to the park alone, but re-
Jnrned almost at once, his face very
pale, his eyes betraying wjldness, and
lis whole manner showing that he had
passed through a severe struggle.
- shall keep away from the water
he said to the capitalist
g l couldn't stay there five minutes
without committing suicide or nlur-
ler.''
The matter was, OF course, kept
luiet, even from the wife, but two
ears later. while the gentleman was
making a trip On the Ohio river, he
vas suddenly missed. and he has never
oeen heard of since. The boat was
acing with another, and the prob
Utilities are that the excitement
,rought back his passion for self-de-
truction, and that he went overheard.
NJ Y. San.
A SenSihle COmnr0no;ca