The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-01-23
BROTHER BEN.
The Queer Fancies of a Harmless
Lunatic.

He had so much dignity, this old man,
SO much manner that | had been quite
impressed by him.
We had walked up together from the
post-officc several times, and as board
ed near his house l often saw him in
passing, and thus we struck up an odd
sort of friendship, for l was twenty
while he was nearly seventy.
We used to talk on various subjects
politics, religion, the people of the town
and the geology of the surrounding
country. and found him we'll informed
and liberal in his views, and, better
*han all, tolerant of the opinions of a
young man.
| supposed that this tolerance i'm
pressed me the moro because, owing to
Iuv youth. ! had been recently rather
onubbcd by some of my male relations,
and on that account had come to try my
fortunes among strangers.
so it was that when this cOurtly old
gentleman showed me such marked and
polite attention | felt rather flattered
and greatly comfortcd thereby. | never
had met any other of his family, al
though | understood from him that he
had Il wife and an elderly daughter
who lived with him in the great man
sion half hidden from the street by q
growth of trees and shrubs.
often stopped to talk with him at
his gate. and he had invited me in more
than once, but | always refused, until
one day he said abruptly: DO you
know that | have taken such fancy
to You that want Ben to see you. Zen
is my brother, you know; he lives with
me. He is not quite right at tines a
little Eighty, perhaps, but you won't
mind that
saw that he was thoroughly in car
nest, and to please him l said that |
would go in and see Ben.
AS we stepped upon the broad piazza
my friend hesitated. Just word,
please, before we go in. Ben is very
sensitive about his his-troubles. He
is Just my age: VIC are twins in fact,
and physically he is perfect-yes per-
fect-but there is something wrong
with his head. He is all right on some
things, you know; but he has some
queer fancics, poor fellow"
The tears came into his eyes and he
cleared his throat with a little cough as
he opened the door and ushercd me into
Il broad, handsomcly furnishcd hall. lie
led the way from this into Il cheerful
sitting-room and excused himself for a
moment.
While he was gone looked about the
room. There were quaint chairs an
odd stand or two, a rosewood cabinet
and an old-fashioned piano with moth
.r-of-pe keys; on the walls We're d
few portraits in oil and some good en-.
cravings OF an old style.
The thing that struck me most, how
ever. was a tall pier-glasS let into the
wall between two windows. From the
bottom of this, up to within a few
inches of the top, it was painted ovel
with thick coating of dark paint, ant
this was ornamcnted by Il landscape
stitfly painted in rather crude colors
There was another and smaller miro
i'll the frame of the clock. and this hat
been treated in a similar manner, Gttl,
CLEANS of bright showing here ant
there through the dark paint.
/ reasoned that the surface of tn,
quicksilver had been marrcd either b,
time or by dampness and that this pain
had been put on to cover up these de
fects, and rs | was gazing at the ugl,,
Landscape the old gentleman returned
bringing his wife and daughter, towhon
he introduced me.
Both ladies had lovely and refined
faces which differed but little from cacl
ether Time had marked the lins
deeper upon that of the elder woman
and her hair was white, but both wor
the same sad, anxious expression, a
though some great sorrow was hangin!
over them.
Mother. I have brought my youn
friend in to see Ben" said the old mar
and | noticed that Il meaning glanc
passed from the ladies' as the elder on
replied in n pleading voice: Father
Ben isn't so well to-day. Hadn't yo
better wait till some other timc?" N
no. mother: Ben's all right. All h
needs is. IL little cheerful company.
With these words my friend left tn
room, inotioning me to follow him.
We went across the hall to q sma
room furnished vcry simply. Their
were some cases of books, Il lcatht
lounge, and couple of armchair
drawn up before large mirror
Walking proudly to the mirror whic
reflected his erect form and handson
face the old man introduced me
brother Ben"
OF course ! understood it all in
moment. the painted clearinghouse
the sad-faccd women, and their reluc
apce to allow stranger to intruc
upon their sorrow.
1t was a complete surprise to me, fl
had never suspected the least thir
wrong with my friend, and | had b
lieved in his brother Ben without
shadow of Doubt. Luckily the ladi