Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-11-06
AN INSANE NURSE.
She Was Stark Mad, but Little Children
Were Safe in Her Charge.

She Was Stark Mad, but Little Children
Were Safe in Her Charge.
what quiet woman your new nurse
is, Lottiel" said Mr.. S. to his wife, 81
never saw any one so taciturn and SO noise
less; do the children like herr" Eyes; that
is the oldest part Of it," she answered.
They are perfectly devoted to her already,
and as soon as she is alone with them she
romps and plays just liEA one of them
selves; if it were not for the sedate man
ners at other times, should think her al
most too boisterous, but taken all in all
she really seems treasure. | told Mrs.
A., with whom she lived for two years, and
who gave her an excellent character, what
curious combination found her, and she
seemed quite surprised, and said that she
had never noticed anything about her par
ticularly. That just shows" added Mrs
S. complacently, chow little people study
the character of those to whom they in
trust their children. | always make a point
OF observing everything"
The summer weeks passed on, and the
mistress of the house had no reason to
change her good opinion, for Sarah, as
/ the maid was called, seemed everything
that could be desired as child's nurse
Indeed, Mrs. S. felt SO perfectly comfort
able about the children's welfare that
contrary to her usual custom, she accepted
an invitation to spend a few days at New
port with a friend, leaving the two little
ones entirely in Sarah's charge.
What, however, was the dismay of her
husband and herself on arriving home
somewhat early in the day to find the en-
tire household wildly excited and com
pletely at loss as to what to do-for the
nurse and the children were shut up in the
nursery, and no one had seen them that
morning. "She has been actin queeriike
ever since you wint," said the Irish but
Ter. "The children are moline, sez she,
'shure. and the mistress gave them to me;
and last night she took up provisions
enough to last week, and they have been
shut up there ever since"
All this was said as they were hurryine
up stairs to the nursery. From the room
came sounds of wild singing and bursts Of
childish merriment 'Thank Godr' gasped
! the mother, 1.-The children are all right
Sarah" said her master sternly, shaking
the doorknob, unlock the door immedi-
ately." A wild, maniacal laugh was the
only answer. Papa" called the little
ones. hearing his voice. And then, to theil
horror, the woman seemed to become in
furiated, for they heard the heavy smash Of
crockery.
This was too much for the poor mother
who in sheer terror tainted away, while
Mr.. S., almost distracted, paused, fearful
of turning the wrath of the lunatic on the
defenseless children if he resorted to vio-
lent measures. During the momentary
hush came the shrill piping of childish
voices: ssSarah Open the door, it is papa
and mamma" ''Oh, mamma, Sarah is SC
funny" Another crash of china and a
crazy gibbering followed, and the next mo
ment thee gave way before the heavy
rush of the men against it,
Quite beside herself the now raving mad
woman stood swinging a broken pitcher in
the air, and daring any one to touch her
but the first thought of the father was fol-
his children, who were sitting up in their
little beds calmly munching the dainties
Sarah had prepared for their delectation,
fo1 fortunately her madness had taken the
phase of intense devotion to them. If Their
Joy and mirth at her antics had turned to
fright, however, and they had become
troublesome, the story might well have
had a tragic ending, for it took several
| men to capture the raving creature, and
for several weeks she was one of the most
dangerous lunatics in Bloomingdale.
That this could be true incident in an
ordinary, everyday nursery, especially
where the mother was noted for her care
full supervision of her household, seems
strange enough; but the terrifying thing
occurred only few years ago and is still
fresh in the memories of many.-New
York Tribune.