The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-07-18
NIGHT WITH A MADMAN.
How an Attorneys Talent for Story Telling
Saved His Life.


John F. Burris' presence of mind
pushed death to the wall and saved
the lie of himself, of DR.. Hadden, and
OF Mrs. Henry Weibold OH Friday
night. They were all in the power of
u madman-one with the most dan
gerous mission, the Offering of his fell
low man on the sacrificial altar.
Mr.. Burris was attorney for Mrs.
Weisbold in her suit for divorce
against her husband. Cruelty and
insanity were the allegations. The
lawyer, accompanied by DR.. Hadden,
went to Agnew's station, the resi-
dence of his client, where he was des-
tined to spend a night of such terror
as few men would have lived
through.
When the visitors reached che
house they were informed by Mrs.
Weibold that her husband was in
one of his dangerous moods and that
her life was in danger. The insane
man had a revolver, which he had
threatened to shoot her if she left his
presence. Even as the woman spoke
the lunatic entered the room, and in
his hand was the weapon his wife
feared SO much. He appeared sur
prised to see two gentlemen there,
but recovered himself and spoke in a
quiet manner, asking them how they
WERE -
Mr.. Burris answered him, saying
he hoped they would not disturb him
by their presence.
'No, you DON'T" said Weibold; II
expected you. l have to kill you,
and you came to be killed"
AS he spoke he advanced toward
the lawyer, with the pistol aimed at
his head. He seemed terribly in earn
est, and the story his wife had told
and his presence in the room SO un-
nerved DR.. Hadden that he sank to
the floor in a faint.
Mr.. Burrls knew there was no time
or room for expostulation. In the
matter of strength the madman
lowered over him like a Hercules.
Unarmed the lawyer could not cope
with Webb Did, and even had he had
a weapon there was no time to draw
it.
"Better hear this story before YOU
kill me-" said Mr.. Burris, as if get
ting killed we're a matter of such or
binary, everyday occurrence that
five or ten minutes would not make
much difference to the parties to the
tragedy.
What is it?" asked WeiboId,
watching his intended victim closely.
Burris had no room for a story in
his mind when he hlurted out the re-
mark. His thoughts were filled with
consideration OF the desperate posi-
tion he was in. But the mans ques-
ton aroused him, and with what
calmness he could command he be-
gan the recital of a funny tale. The
conditions were not favorable to the
happy telling OF a humorous story.
A man is not given to hilaritv on the
edge OF the grave. The hearer, when
ones audience is madman, may fail
to see the point, or he may have
heard the story before, and the flash
of the pistol in his hand may light
the entertainer through the dark
valley, AS Mr.. Burris continued
WeibOld retreated to q chair and sat
down. but his eyes followed every
movement of the attorney and his
revolver never lost the pointblank
aim at Burris' head, Embellish the
story as he might, tell it with what
skill for killing time he could, it had
to come to an end at last. But it
was received with commendation.
"Good," said the lunatic; fine. I
have heard worse, and now l have
to kill you"
He again advanced on Burris, who
saw his arm bend with the tension of
his forefnger On the trigger.
"Let me tell you one ofmy advent
ures in the Jungle after an elephant"
remarked Mr.. Burris, quietly. II
had it printed, but it may be new to
YOU"
Weibold said he would listen and
again took his seat. There was q
scene for a painter. The LAWYER,
apparently as cool as if in his office,
talking over the trivial matters OF
the day, talking to such purpose and
for such all object as'had never be-
fore called out his power OF eloquence.
1t was plea for life; rather a demur-
rer against the taking of it,
and it was argued fer hours. The
madman sat with his eyes fixed on
the speaker, quiet, impassive, earnest,
beguiled for the moment from the
accomplishment of his work. but
never losing sight of it; his cooked
revolver firmly gasped in the hand
that pointed it at his victims head.
On the floor lay DR.. Hadden, uncon-
sciQus ofthe scene. Mrs. Weibold
had fed.
So hour after hour passed, and
Burris passed with the time from
place to place, now hunting "rogue"
elephants in the jungle of Africa,
now spearing the walrus in the
frozen North, harpooning tho whale
as he slept on the valleys of the wa
ters chasing, the buffalo across the
plains, or encountering the grizzly
bear on the mountain side.
The night passed away; the mad
mans comments were shorts ''Good:
go on; another" The morning light
Ishone through the trees now; al
though it was only 8 O'Clock in the
evening when this queer duel of wit
agatnsS pistol began. Story after
story was told, and Burris was al
most exhausted,
He began On q tale he had told be-
fore; it flowed naturally, and it had
ita effect, Weibold began to nod,
| his eyes closed, but opened instant
Ely, and We're fixed on Burris along
| the line OF the revolver. But again
he nodded; his head sank down,
gradually the pistol arm weakened,
the fingers relaxed their hold, and
. | - Il.