Connecticut western news., 1890-08-27

Suppose I tell you 8 story about bleeding to death-or rather about a man who supposed he was being bled to death and died from the fright2'
 ''Died from the fright, eh? We'll, let's hear it.'
 Very gladly began, making it long and adding as much as I possibly could to the original, which was something l recollected long ago to have heard about some one who wished to ''experi- ment," and had man blindfolded, his arm bandaged and gently pricked, but not sufficiently to bring the blood, and then heard the regular drop, drop of blood-or what he supposed to be his own blood, though in reality only wa ter, till he died from the mere supposi- ton that he was being bled to death. I forget the story now, but it is familiar to every one When concluded, l suggested to the maniac that he should try this model experimenting and see how long would take to be frightened to death.
 ''Yes, yes," he answered, with a sly, cunning laugh; livery good, very good" and seeing through the device, with the cunning of madness, he laughed again as he said, Every good, sir, very good. And you would take till morning to die, and meanwhile l want a companion ip the churchyard wonder, down among the grave worms. Come, bare your arm, and let me do as said. I'll bleed you. intended to have taken your head off first, but I've changed my mind, because wouldn't like to have 8 headless com panion Bare your arm."
 God! what was I to do! felt my brain seethe and whirl, as though I, too, were going mad. With des. perate effort to be calm said: Suppose tell another story first 2'' "Oh, no; you can tell while you bleed"
 "But I shall want to watch the blood flow, too," I said, with an effort to re- frain from shuddering.
 ''True, true," he answered ''Well, let's hear your story-quick, begin. I waited for no urging was too glad to find him in the humor to listen, so began and related every story could think of-as soon as one was done beginning another-and in this manner nearly two hours passed. As was about to begin another story he stopped me peremptorily:
 'eNo, no; no more! won't listen I've listened too long already, and I've DO time to bleed you either! may take your head off, as I first intended, disagreeable as it is to have headless companion!"
 Around and around his head again went the glittering knife, coming down in direct line with my throat; and then, as the edge, sharp as a razor, touched my skin, I forgot the prudent considerations that had hitherto kept me silent, and gave vent to my horror and terror in a cry so loud and long, so shrill and ear piercing that the ma- niac started back in alright, and ac- tually trembled at the unearthly sound. No wonder! I tremble this moment, myself, when think what an awful cry it was, and I almost fancy I can still hear the sound of it when I close my eyes and shudderingly look back to the hour.
 The effect upon the madman was
 not of long duration. A third time he
 waved the knife around his head, and was just preparing for spring for ward when the farmer and his eldest son burst into the room. The effect that these new actors upon the scene produced upon the madlnan was strange and almost incredible The knife re.
 mained uplifted, and the hand in which it was held seemed suddenly petrified and unable to move. He covered beneath the gaze of the farm. CT, as child might do under the eye of master, and without the slightest resistance allowed the knife to be talk en from his hand and himself quietly
 led from the room by the farmer and
 his son.
 Then when I was left alone the reac l ton after all my terror, horror and ex
 citement overpowered me and I sank
 back upon the bed, almost insensible
 I thanked God for my escape, anG
 hardly conscious of my own feeling o1 actions lay quite still, awaiting what was to follow. felt that there was nc
 farther cause for alarm, and in s
 dreamy sort of way tried to account l for the adventure. I looked around
 upon the room and all seemed so like {
 dream that could almost have per
 suaded myself that was the victim O.
 an unpleasant illusion; but then, te
 bring me back to the reality of all tha1
 had transpired, there was still the igh,
 burning upon the table, and knew
 had put out the light before retiring
 and another proof that was awake
 and had been for couple of hour,
 past, was the scratch upon my throa
 where the knife had grazed it, and
 shuddered to think how nearly my
 thread of life had been cut in two.
 Presently the farmer and his son re
 turned, and I was informed that m,
 terrible and most unwelcome visitan
 was an unfortunate brother-in-law O.
 the farmers, who had been crazed fo
 some years past; that during certain
 seasons, especially at that phase il
 which the moon then was he was quit,
 mad and dangerous, though at othe
 times harmless. Unfortunately for m'
 his door had been neglected that night
 and instead of being locked had beer
 left open. listened to all these ex
 plantations. and received my hosts apol
 ogies and expressions of regret for m.
 disturbance and peril by making {
 mental VOW never to sleep with m.
 door unlocked in strange house, ant
 if over placed so should be obliged tt
 crave the hospitality of strangers t.
 make uarticular inquiry whether an,