Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-06-27
INA LuNATIC,s rnMFR-
How n Lawyer Saved Ills Life with a
FUNNY Story.

Iney were all In tne power OF mad
man-one with that most dangeroug
mission. the offering of his fellow-man
on the sacrificial altar.
MIR. Burris was attorney for Mrs.
Weibold in her suit for divorce against
her husband. Cruelty and insanity
were the allegations. The lawyer, ac-
companied by DIR. Hadden, went to
Agnew's Station, the residence of his
client, where he was destined to spend
a night of such terror as few men would
have lived through.
When the visitors reached the house
they were informed by Mrs. Weibold
that her husband was in one of his dan
gerous moods and that her life was in
danger. The insane man had a revol-
yer, with which he had threatened to
shoot her if she left his presence. Even
as the women spoke the lunatic entered
the room and in his hand was the YEA
pom his wife feared SO much. He ap-
peared surprised to see two gentlemen
there, but recovered himself and spoke
in quiet manner, asking them how
they were.
Mr.. Burris answered him, saying he
hoped they would not disturb him by
their presence.
mo, you DON'T" said Weibold; "I ex-
pected you. I 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 earnest,
and the story his wife had told and his
presence in the room so unnerved DIR.
Hadden that he sank to the floor in a
faint.
Mr.. Burris knew there was no time or
room for expostulation. In the matter
of strength the mailman lowered over
him like Hercules. Unarmed the
lawyer could not cope with Weibold,
and even had he had weapon there
was no time to draw it.
Better hear this story before you
kill me" said Mr.. Burris, as if getting
killed were q matter of such ordi-
nary, everyday occurrence that five
or ten minutes would not make much
difference to the parties to the tragedy.
what is it? ?" asked Weibold, watch
ing his intended victim closely.
Burris had no room for story in his
mind when he blurted out the remark.
His thoughts were filed with considera-
tion of the desperate position he was in.
But the mans question aroused him,
and with what calmness he could COM
mand he began the recital of funny
tale. The conditions were not favor
able to the happy telling of humorous
story. A man is not given to hilarity
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 en-
tortainer through the dark valley. As
Mr.. Burris continued Weibold retreated
to chair and sat down, but his eyes
followed every movement of the attor-
noy and his revolver never lost the
point aim at Burris' head. En-
bellish 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 commentator.
"Good," said the lunatic; "fne. l
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
forefinger on the trigger.
"Let me tell you of one of my ad-
ventures in the Jungle after an ele-
phant," remarked Mr.. Burris, quietly.
u had it printed. but it may be new to
you"
Weibold said he would listen and
again took his seat. There was scene
for 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 an object as
had never before called out his power
of eloquence. 1t was plea for life;
rather demurrer against the taking of
it, and it was argued for hours. The
mailman sat with his eyes fixed ON the
speaker, quiet, impassive, earnest, be-
guiled for the moment from the ac-
complishment of his work, but never
losing sight of it; his cooked revolver
firmly grasped in the hand that pointed
it at his victims head. On the floor lay
DIR. Hadden, unconscious of the scene.
Mrs. Weibold had fled.
So hour after hour passed, and Burms
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, har-
pooning the whale rs he slept on the
valleys of the waters, chasing the bull
buffalo across the plains, or encounter
ing the grizzly bear on the mountain
side.
The night passed away the madman's
comments were short: "Good; go on;
another" The morning light shone
through tho trees now, although it was
only s o'clock in the evening when this
queer duel of wit against pistol began.
Story after story was told, and Burris
was almost exhausted.
He began on tale lie had told be-
fore; it flowed naturally, and had its
effect Weibold began to nod; his eyes
closed, but opened instantly, and were
fixed on Burris along the line of the
revolver. But again he nodded; his
head sunk down; gradually the pistol
arm weakened, the fingers relaxed their
hold, and with n bound the lawyer
jumped to his side and the weapon was
secured. Weibold did not stir, and
Hadden, who had recovered conscious
ness but dared not cause sound arose
to his feet and helped his friend to the
open air, who, now that the agony was
over, seemed on the point of fainting.
They walked to tho insane asylum, only
short distance away, and reported
Weibold's condition to the authorities,
who secured the madman.- San Fran
cisco Chronicle.
Dead Letter Money.