The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-22
A VERY LONG SLEEP.
Miss Gridley, Of Amboy, ILL.,, Who Has
Not Walked since March 10.


Not Walked since March 10.
With rosy checks, lightly-closed eyes
and gently heaying breast, sleeps pretty
Grace Gridloy in htr little bedroom in the
house of her father, MIR. J. Grdley, one
Of AmbOy's prominent business men. To
gaze upon her peaceful slumbcr one
would think that she was about to
awaken from refreshing nights rest.
On the 18th of March, Miss Gridley, who
| is well-develOped and healthy Young
lady of nineteen years, retired to rest in
her usual health. The next morning she
did not appear at the usual breakfast
hour, aud after while her mother went
up to her room to call her. Upon entering
her chamber Mrs. Gridley found her daugh-
ter sleeping in the manner described above.
Attempting to awaken her she discovered
that her daughter was sleeping more sound
ly than she had at first supposed. As a low
ing mother is ever prompt TO do, she said:
"Well, let Grace sleep, she will be better
for it," Miss Grace did sleep on through
the day, and when supper time came it was
found impossible to awaken her. Becoming
greatly alarmed, her parents sent for a
physician. who examined her case with
astonshment.
Different treatments were tried TO dspel
the trance, but all in vain. The beautiful
girl, her coral lips parted in a half smile,
slumbered on and on without the slightest
flutter of the eye-lash. After sleeping about
"A week the nurse, who has always watched
by her bedside, left the room mOmentarily.
When she returned she found the sleeping
girls bed empty. Greatly frightened, she
FASTENED into an adjoining room and
found Miss Grace sitting III an easy chair
as sound asleep rs ever. In her lap,
half open, Law small Bible. 1t is certain
that the girl had slightly aroused from
her sleep, and arising from the bed had Sc
cured the Bible and gone into the other
room, where she had scarcely seated her.
self when she again dropped into the strange
sleep. She has not aroused since that time.
and has continued in her peaceful
SAUNDERS every since. Numbers OF phys-
clans have been consulted and brought 10
examine the peculiar case, but they all
look wise, shake their heads and are pro-
foundly puzzled. No attempt is made 70
diagnose the case, and not very much hope
has been vOuchsafed the s0rrOwing parents
and friends of the girl.
Among the many surmises that have been
offered as 10 the cause of the prOtracted
sleep, there is enc that is unique, and in
support Of which is brought the incident OF
the girls attempting TO read the Bible.
just previous to the girls slumbers a large
EtilSlOue ItAlNdi Hdu DttH SNln- Ou III All
boy, which was attended by much religious
fervor. 1t is thought that Miss Gridley had
become so wrought up over the heetngs
that the mental excitement caused pros
tratiOn Of her entire nervous system.
This is only a conjecture, but is as worthy
as the many other theories presented Miss
Gridley has, strange 10 say, lost but little
flesh, and appears TO rest as calmly and
easily as a child in gentle slumber. The
beatings of her heart and respiration are
normal, and her body is naturally warm.
Food is given in liquid form. but not in very
large quantities. After being placed in her
mouth, the food passes into the stomach
without any apparent effort of swallowing.
What the final result of the strange sleep
may be no one eau surmise, and the many
anxious and loving friends must await I'M
oil He who reigns over all shall determine.
-AmbOy Globe Democrat.