The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1892-02-08
A FEARFUL ORDEAL.
An Act Of Mercy But It Wrecked
a Life.

The superintendent was eseorting
three guests through his institution.
At certain point he made partial
pause, and, motioning to the figure of
a man visible in one of the rooms off
the corridor, said: "There is one of the
saddest cases that has ever come under
my notice" The person alluded to
was seated in one of the pleasant par
lors of the establishment which lined
the hallway. His hair was gray, and
in his form were symptoms of age
which look at his face belied. There
were no wrinkles, none of the deep
furrows which care will plow in the
human face. The eye was bright, and
had a look Of gentleness very attractive
to the observer.
HHe certainly does not look like
dangerous individual, " remarked one of
the guests
"Dangerous?" replied the superin-
tendent, ''hc is as harmless as kitten,
and sometimes l don't believe he is
really insane, but for all that he is bet
ter off where he can be looked after.
You see, he has fits of temporary de-
ll1CIOlll, WlllCA LIS C-NC4SClAlCIU
runs away with him, and be might do
himself some injury, though he would
never raise his hand to harm anyone
else
''His trouble is very peculiar; he had
an awful experience once in connection
with a railway accident and at each re-
turning anniversary of that event he
becomes much depressed seemingly
only desirous of hiding himself away
from all observation. He is never vio-
lent, but these seasons OF depression
are SO intense that it appears advisable
he should be watched"
''Does he ever talk of the event at
other times than at its anniversary"
''Oh, yes, indeed; in fact, at all other
times he seems to enjoy meeting peo-
pie, and if the subject of accidents
arises in the course of conversation he |
is almost certain to tell his story. If
you care to hear it an allusion will |
bri~ out one of the most affecting
stories you have ever heard"
The superintendent was right; on the
way out he said: ''Wen, Mr. Martelle,
how are you? Let me introduce some
frlendS OF NINE.
After few words of commonplace
one Of the guests adroitly
led the talk up TO railway disasters by
to something he had seen in
the morning papers. Martelle was seen
to move uneasily in his chair and TO
become visibly agitated. His face
blanchcd and in a voice tremulous with
emotion he began: Gentlemen, you
may not have heard of it, or if you
have, You may have forgotten it, but 1
was in railway accident once that has
the whole course of my life.
Each one present manifested an in
crest in the subject that, while pre-
neditated. was not in the least
affected. Thus encouraged he went on:
81 was making my first trip in the
vest l had been through California
md was heading for the Yellowstone
One day we were whirling
Llong, everybody in good spirits, and
had just gone forward into the smok
it in game of whist. My partner
vas fne-looking man, about thirty
i've years old, with a pleasant face
md voice, and full of good humor.
The game was close, for all happened
o be good players. Each side had one
o its credit and the rubber had been
,egun.
Suddenly there was lurch, a
hook, and then for me there was moth
ng but deep unconsciousness. How
ong ! remained SO l cannot tell, but it
ould not have been long. With the
eturn of my senses came the knowl-
dge that l was hurt. There was a
,ain in my back and the blood was
rickling down my face and neck from
wound in the head was lying on
he ground and it was some minutes
ore l could realize what had hap
ened. Gradually matters became
learer. remembered the game of