Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-06-27
IN A LUNATIC,s POWER.
How Lawyer Saved his Life With a
Funny Stpry


man-one with that most dangerous
mission, the offering of his fellow-man
on the sacrifcial altar.
Mr.. 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
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 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.
"No, you DON'T" said Weibold; "I ex-
pected you. 1 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 madman lowered over
him like Hercules. Unarmed the
lawyer could not cope with Weibold,
and even had he had q weapon there
was no time to draw it.
Better hear this story before you
kill me" said Mr.. Burris, as if getting
killed were a 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 filled 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 q funny
tale. Inc conditions were not favor
aple TO the happy telling OF humorous
STORY "A man Is not given TO hllarity
on the cage OF the grave. The hearer.
wnen ones audience Is madman, may
h ia'i 10 see me polnt, or ne may nave
Iearo tne STORY peloTe' ana the nash oil
the pistol IN MS nand may hght the en-
sGr'al,ier sI tnrougn tne dark valley AS
MI Durris continued Welpoid retreated
70 clalr ana sat down. put his eyes
ioiiowe', every hioVellehc Oh tne attor-
hoy nha his revolyer never iost the
PoinV,o olaih ann Ut Durrls nead. Em-
oel,ish 1he story as ne might tell 1t
Mlth what sklii 1or Killing tlme he could,
~ liuu 70 come 10 an end at iast' But
IL H was received WIN commentator
opou, s"i'' 'he iunaVic, me
iiaYe ii:M nea,o "orse' ana no" nave 10
Aiit you.
ne "9aln advanced Oh burrls, VINO
saw ms arm oehd s1 WIN tne tension OF his
iotennser "I ol ~ ,iie Trigger
HeI me 'eii you VI one OF my al
',Ia.t Ventures III .he l1n8ie after an eie-
pdnV, - Ieiliaiheo ! MI purrls; quletiy.
iiao IL prln.eo' ou1 IL may pe new 10
you, w., =,
WelDold SAID he would listen and
agaln took MS seat sn Ihere was scene
ioi Paihter: Inc iawyer, apparently
as co1l as IL IN ms once talking over the
erivi"i niae'efs vi the day, talking 10
such purpose ana ior slich an OBJECT as
nao never before calleu OUT MS power
ol eioquehce. IL was plea ior lie;
iaVher demurrer against the taking OF
IT, ana IL was argued 1or nours. Inc
maoman sat WIN MS eyes hxed on the
spenher, qulet' lmpasslVe' earnest De-
euiiea lor the moment Irom the ac-
colnpilSii1ent Oh ms WORK. Dut never
loslng slght OF IL; ms cooked revolver
II !irliiy grasPeu IN tne haha Inat pointed
II a' ms ylc'im $ head. oh the iioof lay
" NJ MAIDEN, UNCONSCIOUS OF Tile scene.
90 hour after hour passed, and Burns
passed Win the time from place to
place. now hunting rogue" elephants
IN the Jungle OF Africa, now spearing
Ine walrus In the frozen North har-
pouhing the whaie rs ne slept on the
sai,eys , Oh tne waters, chasing the bull
ouiiupo u actoss 'ne plalns' OF encounter
lng the grlzziy Dear on the mountain
siae; ne;
Inc nlght passed away the madmans
another" The morning light shone