Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-22

had been helped out by Ronald Mervvn's
purse. And yet at times, as even those who
most liked and admired him could not but
admit Ronald Mervyn was queer fellow.
His fits were few and far between but
when they occurred he was altogether un-
like himself. While they lasted he would
scarce exchange word with soul, but
shut himself in his room, or, as soon as pa
rade was over, mou nted his horse and rode
off, not to return probably until late at
night.
Mervyn's moods were the subject of many
quiet Joke among the young officers of the
regiment. Some declared that he must have
committed a murder somewhere, and was
occasionally troubled in his conscience;
while some insisted that Mervyn's strange
behavior was only assumed in order that he
might be the more, appreciated at other
times. Among the two or three officers of
the regiment who came from that part of
the country, and knew something OF the
family history of the Mervyns, it was whis-
pered that he had inherited some slight
Share of the curse of the Oarnes. Not that
he was mad in the slightest degree-no one
would think of saying that of Ronald Mer-
vyn-but he had certainly queer moods.
Perhaps the knowledge that there was
taint iu his blood affected him, and in course
of time he began to brood over it.
When this mood was on him, soon after
joining the regiment, he himself had spoken
to the doctor about it. as
"Do YOU know, doctor, am a horrible
sufferer from liver complaint?"
"You don't look it, Mervyn," the sur
geon replied; 'your skin is clear, and your
eve is bright. You are always taking ex-
ercise; your muscles are as hard as nails. l
cannot believe that there is much the mat
ter with you."
81 suffer, Doctor, so that at times for two
or three days am fit for nothing. I get
into such state that am mott fit to e1-
change word with a human being, and
could quarrel with my best friend if he
spoke to me. L have tried all sorts of medi-
cines but nothing seems to cure me; 1 sup
pose it's liver. don't know what else it
can be. 1 have spoken about it to the
Major, and asked him it at any time he
sees me look grumpy, to say a word to tine
mess, and ask them to leave me to myself;
but do wish you could give me some
thing
The doctor had recommended courses of
various foreign waters, and had given him
instructions to bathe mis- head when he felt
it coming on; but nothing had availed.
Once year, or sometimes oftener, Ronald
retired for two or thres. days, and then
emerged as we'll and cheerful as before.
Once, when the attack had been particu-
larly severe, he had again consulted the
doctor, this time telling him the history of
his family on his mothers side, and asking
him frankly whether he thought these peri
odical attacks had any connection with the
family ta1nt. The doctor, who had already
heard the storyin confidence from one of the
two men who knew it, replied:
"Well, Mervyn, L suppose that There's
some sort of distant connection between the
two things. but 1 do not think you are likely
to be seriously affected. L think you can
set your mind at ease on that score. A man
of so vigorous frame as you are, and lead
ing so active and healthy life, is certainly
not a likely subject for insanity. You
should dismiss the matter altogether from
your mind, old fellow. Many men with
more than usual amount of animal spirits
suffer at times from fits of depression. In
your case, perhaps due, to some extent. to
your family history, these fits Of depression
are more severe than usual. Probably the
very circumstance that you know this his
tory has something to do with it for when
the depression-which is, as have said, not
uncommon in the case of men with high |
spirits, and is in fact sort of reaction
comes over you, no doubt the Thought of the
talnt in the blood occurs to you, preys upon
your mind, and deeply intensifes your de-
preston"
'sThat is so, DOCTOR When I am in that |
state my one thought is that am going
mad, and I sometimes feel then as if it
would be best to blow out my brains and |
have done with it. !"
"Don't let such fancy enter your head.