West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-07-19


oh, helpl-killing mel remember
struggling and writhing. but all to no
purpose; aud then a choking, burning
sensation, and then all was blank.
When came to / found / was once
more in bed. The candle was still
lighted, and saw Macray sitting on a
chair near me with his head buried in his
hands. A slight movement on my part
caused him to start.
''Are you better, old fellow7"
''Yes," ] answered. lit is gonei"
He seemed to understand, for he said
simply, "Yes."
'What-or who-was itl"
81 will tell you everything tomorrow /;
had you not better wait2" replied Mac
ray.
"No; tell me now. am all right. I
think, though ] had q pretty tight
squeeze"
"It was my brother Charles who
attacked you. II is strange story, and
will not ask you TO believe il. Some
five years ago Charley was in business
and had home of his own. One day
he told his wife he had to go to Gin
cinnati- The nature of his business re-
hthA w kO tlusbt OilGu On hnOEL
tips to the neighboring cities.
This time he was absent about
week. When he got back
he had not the slightest idea where he
had been, nor could he give any account
of his movements since leaving New
York. He said he could only remember
travelling a good deal on the cars. To
me and his wife he admitted (although
he could not at all explain it, that he felt
he had suffered some harm; but CT what
nature he could not say. This went on
for year, when in the same week pre-
cisely, as a year before, he had an attack
of insanity, which lasted just week and
left him perfectly sensible; yet very much
exhausted. Fortunately this first attack
occurred when he was alone with me on
a fishing excursion in the mountains.
What i had to endure that week no one
can imagine, and no one will ever know.
Well, this has gone on for several years.
The mysterious attack always comes on
in that particular week of the year. The
doctors declare IL is not insanity; in fact
can get no definite answer as to what
is the matter with my brother. Charley
has always had a morbid fear Of an in
sane asylum, so promised him always to
take care Of him during that particular
week in the year. So secretly has the
matter been kept from the public that
not even his own wife knows Of il. You,
and one or two doctors 70 whom
have introduced my brother
as a stranger, are the only ones that have
seen Charley in one Of his fts, or what
ever you like 20 cali them. Ihave al
ways had a taste for carpentering and I
have fitted up the room directly above
yours for him. Last night he managed
20 escape out Of the window, and thus
got into your room. It was most fortu-
nate that I arrived when did, for in an
other moment he would have stranQled
you. However, there is no need Of
further alarm. saw him safely into his
ntrong room, with no possibility OF an
other escape. IL you like it, we will 90
and see him. Think that would be the
best means 20 settle your nerves"
I thought 30 myself, 50 we went Al
though the room was directly above
mine, We had to walk quite n distance
through an upper hall before we came to
10. Stopping at heavily barred door.
Macray after unlocking an upper and
lower lock, drew out long thin key.
with which he finally opened the door.
Are you not afraid TO go inW I
asked.
"oh, no, he always seems to know
me"
Holding lighted candle, we entered.
At first / saw nothing Of my late in
truder; but heavy stertorous breathing
led us 20 where he lay in front Of a
thickiy- barred window. We lifted him
up and carried him to a small iron bed
stead The candle light fell on his face.
which was a repulsive one with a savage
scowl still lingering on IL. His hair was
thickly matted
After standing moment. Macray said :
"Como, we will have a glass Of some
tn ng. ] see your nerves arc shaken a
b {. Look out or you will drop that
candle"
"Of course, Jack, continued Macray.
when we were downstairs, you will