Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-07-18
THE WALLED IN ROOM.

near the man stood a woman with q
bonnet with great white wings on the
sides, holding in her hand moist COM
press. The room was plain and neat,
with clean white walls. On a table,
covered with great napkin of yellow
linen, l noted number of strange
obiects-rows of little vials, and brown
earthen jar filed with bits of ice.
Through the muslin curtains, which
bellied out from the windows in the
balmy air, I could see patch of blue
sky and the tops of green trees bending
lightly in the breeze. Where was {! 1t
seemed like long dream which had
had; my head felt empty, my limbs
ached. and I could not think.
The man gently lifted my head, and
gave me few drops of some liquid,
which | swallowed with avidity.
well, Mr. Furniss, he said, show do
you feel now?"
"Eh, what?" cried. "Where am II"
"You are in my house, my dear sir,
and we shall take good care of you.
Now" he added, replacing my head on
the pillow, "be quiet and go to sleep.
gazed at him for long time, and all
at once I recognized DR.. Bertram, the
celebrated specialist in insanity.
shudder passed through my frame. Why
was | in DR.. Bertram's hospital instead
of my own home near Phoenix Park,
with my books, my herbs, and my mi
croscopes around me? His hospital was
for mad people! - and that sister of
charity, those vials, that bowl of ice
my God, | must be mad! But whyi
How?
"How long have been here?" asked
after time.
For four weeks, Mr.. Furniss. But
you must be quiet and sleep. Now do
not try to talk.
For month! Was it possible? What
had happened? But even as | asked my
self these questions little by little / went
off to sleep, and ] saw, in billowy
meadow, a road covered with blood and
bordered on either side with monstrous
microscopes shaped like trees, a road on
which two little girls played at pitch
and catch with a severed head, while
Dr. Rertram, comically bonneted with
religious cap, rode astride of a dead body,
which reared and pranced and kicked
till he could scarcely keep his seat.
The next morning / was better, and
day by day improved, though that hor,
rible nia ahtmare came to me each night.
But it grew less and less distinct, and
after few weeks it almost ceased to
trouble me.
One evening the doctor, whom / had
not seen during the day, seated himself
near my bed.
well, said he, feeling my pulse, "you
are doing famously. I'll have you out,
as good as new, in few days. But you
have had close shave. 1t has been one
of the prettiest cases of cerebral conges-
ton I ever handled-a beautiful case.
Why, it is a wonder you are alive now.
Tell me, how is your memory; can you
remember what happened before you
We're brought here?"
Il don't know; | can not think
have passed through something fearful.
What it is | can not say. From the faint
glimmer of recollection that comes to me
have the sensation of having been dead
murdered. Oh, it is frightful! My
brain is weak yet. Then, the child,
pretty golden haired child-rolling on the
floor.
Come, come, this will never do, " said
the doctor. "You can tell me all about
it in the morn"
"No, now, DOCTOR" cried. at is COM
ing back to me. Yes, have it now"
Here is an exact transcript of my re-
cital as | told it to DR.. Bertram and later
to the magistrate.
You know my passion for natural his
tory. Well, scarcely a week passes that
| do not go into the country botanizing.
That day / went to Glacnevin, where, as
you may know, the marshy meadows are
rich in curious plants, infusoria, and di-
atoms. l was returning, and was almost
in Dublin with my box full of rare speci-
mems, on which l expected to make re-
port that would astonish the Botanical
Society, when saw a little girl, certainly
not over or years old, who was all
alone, crying as if her little heart would
break approached her, but at sight of
me she redoubled her cries. could see
that the little one was lost, and that she
did not know where to go, so l spoke to
her kindly, and, by dint of promising her
unlimited bonbons, got her to tell me
that her name was Lizzie and that she
lived in Beresford place in Lower Abbey
street.
took her hand, and we soon started
Off, talking together like old friends. She
was beautiful child, fresh and rosy,
with great candid eyes and fair hair,
which was cut short over her eyes and
fell in golden ringlets about her shoulders.
She trotted bravely along, her soft little
hand in mine. AS we walked she told
me remarkable tales, in which figured
big, black horse, little knife. doll, and
a number of people did not know.
Lizzie was afraid she would be scolded
when she arrived home, but she was not,
and II was received with transports by
her mother, who was half distracted
Never was gratitude expressed so heartily
and pleasantly. Who was |, where did
/ live, how did happen to find her, and
a thousand like questions were showered
upon me.
"Oh, Mr.. Furniss," said the mother,
you are the saviour of my child. How
can we express our gratitude? We are
not rich, but such debt can not be paid
in gold. How happy my husband will be
80 repeat my thanks to you. He is still
at his Office, but-will you do great
:,jaducss. will you honor cur humble board
".,-moi9uw? | shall have savant here
Ike yourself, and you two will enjoy each
1ther's company, am sure. And my