Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-18
MisctllaneaMs.
FEARFUL ORDEAL.

No super iubcuueut WAS ebCOrtinH
three guests through bis institution.
At certain point he made q partial
pause, and, motioning to the figure Of
man visible in one Of the rooms of
the corridor, said: "Thero is one of the
saddest cases that has ever come under
my notice" The person alluded to was
seated in one Of the pleasant parlors Of
the establishment which lined tho hall
way. His hair was gray, and in his
form were symptoms Of age which look
at his face belied. There were no wrin-
kles, none of the deep burrows which
care will pillow in the human facc. The
eye was bright, and had look Of gen.
tleness very attractive 10 the observer.
"He certainly does not look like
dangerous individual remarked one of
the guests.
Dangerous" replied the superin-
tendent, "he is as harmless as a kitten,
and sometimes | don't believe be is
leally insane, but for all that he is bet
tor ,t;svllero be can be looked after.
You see, he has fits OF temporary de-
mentia, during which his excitement
runs away with him, and he might do
himself some injury, though he would
never raise his hand to harm any one
else.
ellis trouble is very peculiar he had
an awful experience once in connection
with a railway accident and ut each re-
turning anniversary Of that event he
becomes much depressed, seemingly only
DESTROYS of hiding himself away from all
observation. He is never violent, but
these seasons of depression are so in
tense that it appears advisable he should
be watched"
docs he ever talk Of the event at
other times than at its anniversary 7"
"Oh, yes, indeed in fact, at oil other
times he seems to enjoy meeting people,
and if the subject Of accidents arises 10
the course of conversation be is almost
certain to tell his story. If you care to
hear it an alluson will bring out one Of
the most affecting stories you have ever
heard"
The superintendent was right; on the
way out he said: swell, Mr.. Martelle,
how arc your Let me introduce some
friends of mine"
After few words Of commonplace
conversation, one of tho guests adroitly
led the talk up to railway disasters by
referring to something he had seen in
the morning papers. Martelle was seen
to move uneasily 10 his chair and TO be-
come visibly agitated. His face blanched
and in voice tremulous with emotion
he began: "Gentlemen, you may not
have heard Of it, or if you have, you
may have forgotten it, but was 10 a
railway accident once that has changed
the whole course of my life."
Each one present manifested an In
tcrest in the subject that. while pre-
meditated, was not in the least affected.
Thus encouraged he went on
II was making my first trip 10 the
West. | had been through California
and was heading for the Yellowstone
country. One day We were whirling
along, everybody in good spirits. aad
| had just gone forward into the smok-
ing car and accepted an invitation to
sit in game of whist. My partner
was fnc-lookiDg man, about thirty
five years old, with pleasant face and
voice, and full of good humor The
game was close, for all happened 10 DO
good players. Each side had one to its
credit and the rubber had been begun.
"Suddenly there was lurch, shock,
and then for me there was nothing but
deep Inconsistencies How long 70.
NAMED so cannot tell, but il could not
have been long With the return Of
my senses came the knowledge that |
was hurt. There was pain 10 my
back and the blood was trickling down
my faco and neck from a wound 10 tho
head. | was lying on the ground and
il was some minutes before could real
ize what had happened. Gradually
matters became clearer. | remembered
tho game Of cards aud the sudden shock
and then knew some dreadful accident
had happened. While our game had
progressed night had fallen, and 10 the
dim light from the stars and several
lanterns could see the figures Of men
moving about here and there, and soon
realized that they were bearing the
forms Of killed aud wounded 10 my 10.
caity, some distance from tho wreck.
THE sense Of sight had been the first
to recover, but now tho terrible tbrob.
bing pain in my head seemed to lnl
and my hearing became moro active