The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-09-04
A MAD ADVENTURE.
BY FRANK CAROL.


/ was Just twenty-one when, having
concluded my second term at college,
went on visit 10 relative in lonely
village of the mountains of Virginia.
The picturesque scenery and famous
mineral spring in the vicinity brought
many summer visitors thiiher, and rem
dered the little place very gay during
the season
was invited to innnmerzble dances,
picnics, and lawn parties, and it was at
one of these latter that met what re-
garded as my fate in the person Of Miss
Alice Carey, lovely and piqnant bru-
nette, Just two wears my junior.
She was the only child Of a wealthy
gentleman-so my aunt informed me
owner Of fine old country place called
Rock Hill, only about a mile from the
village
He was very clever man. but bookish
and unsocial, and averse 10 his daughter
receiving visits from young men, to
whom be generally alluded as ''apes and
popinj.ys"
. / think he would like YoU, Frank"
said nv partial aunt. Your manners
are so quiet and gentlemanly, and you
can converse so nicely upon literature and
science and other things which We coun-
try people about here don't quite appre-
ciate. As to Alice, its clear that she likes
YOU already-any one could have seen it
last evening-and if you can make an
equally favorable impression upon her
father, your fortune is secured. shall
pay = visit % Miss Carey-Aliee's aunt
in few days, and viii take you with
me and if you win pretend an interest
in she old gentlemzn's ngsty books. and
minerals, and things, and show of your
Greek and Latin, I'm sure he, II never in
terfere with your visiting Alice. She's
worth the trouble, for it isn't every day
that you meet with such bright and
pretty girl who is an heiress."
But said !, doubtfully, a heard
from one Of the young ladies that Jack
Cunningham"
Nonsense : OF course We ali know he
is in love with her, bat he's too Wild to
suit her father. In fact. have heard the
old gentleman aIludes to him as that
scatter-brain.' And as for Alice herself,
she's a girl of taste, and could never pre-
fer Jack Cunningham to you. Why, I've
heard her more than once making fun Of I
his red hair"
Thus encouraged, I next day at pic
mic devoted myself to the fair Alice, and
was delighted TO find that she very evil
IDENTIFY appreciated me and my atten-
tions.
We strolled together about the beaati-
ful grove, quoted poetry. talked romance
and sentiment, and ate Decentralization
sanwiches from the same plate, until
overheard one of the girls declare that
Jack Cunningham's red hair had actual
ly begun to turn green with jealousy and
envy.
On the following day, too inpatient to /
wait for my sunt's promised visit to the |
Careys, started off alone on walk to
Rock Hill, in the hope Of having at least |
a glimpse of my charmer, who had been
told generally spentthe pleasant evening
hours with her aunt in an open sumner
house on their lawn.
The place lay close to the river, and
the walk was delightful, lying along the 1
wooded bank Of the stream, with droop-
ing boughs overhead.
Unfortunately for me the hour was
rather early, the sun having not yet
touched the summit Of the mountains,
and as passed the fne old-fAshioned /
brick mansion which was the residence
of my eharmer, saw no sign Of her on
the lawn or piazzas.
continued my walk still further,
hoping to be more fortunate on my re-
turn.
The pathway now became wild, wind I
ing M among the lonely hills had not I
progressed far when I;met two men, who /
anxiousy inquired if l had seen any one
on the wav.
Theyiwere looking for an old gentle !
mana Doctor Fargns-who had that
evening escaped from the private lunatie
asylum, situated some miles up the I
river.
In reply to my inquiry, they said that
he was quite harmless, though very troub- i
Iesome and that he had q nonomania +
for fancying himself some distinguished
personage. such as Gladstone or Napoleon
Bonaparte.
They passed on hurriedly and / pur-
sued my walk, but had not proceeded far /
when came upon two young men en-
gagged in fishing, one of whom proved /
to be my rival, Mr.. Jack Cunning
ham.
We exchanged formal greetings, but
after pa sing ! paused to inquire whether
they had seen anything Of the escaped
lnnatic, repeating what the two men said
to me.
We saw him about an hour ago, = re-
piled Jack, @wading in the water above
that point Of rocks. He is harmless ~
child, and as be always enjoys these lit
tie seasons Of liberty, and IS invariably
caught and carried back saie ia a few
hoars. We did not care to interfere with
him. This evening he Is posing as the
king Of The Sandwich Islands, fantastic
ally tricked out with flowers and dragon
lies If you chance to meet him, just
address him n snch and rr,r, viii Coo