The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-03-22
THE De MON OF THE MIRROR.
BY w. nj. Hobby.

eyes, sir, they are carrying me TO Tie iSy-
lum for they say I'm crazy"
These words were not in answer to Il queS-
ton but were addressed me by n young man
on the train ut whom | had been looking,
suppose, very inquisitively. | had noticed tilat
his wrists were bound and that he seemed TO
be guarded and was vaguely wondering what
his history was He was fine locking young
fellow and his face was cast in q classic
mould.
The words were spoken pathcticaly that
my sympathy was instantly aroused, and as
felt there could be no danger, l went over ana
sat in the seat nearest him. He was a we'll
educated and scholarly young man. as l soon
discovered, and there was nothing about him
that would denote insanity.
You seem to have been wonderiDg.' he con-
tinued ''why man who looks rational
should be thus bound and guarded. While I
cannot hold you with my gIittering eye, rs
did the ancient mariner yet if you care to
hear l will tell you the circumstances that
brought me to this state"
Asd then he told me his story, and held me
captive with it until he had finishcd-fOr it was
the strangest to which l ever listened.
My trouble commenced about a year ago.
l was very fond Of society at that time and
was a great favoritc with the ladies. 1 had
great fault, however, was very conceited
about my personal appearance. Whether the
ladies made me so or not 1t makes no diff
ference now. OF course, under the crcum-
stances, l made frequent of the mirror.
Especially at night, when I came home from
making call, would | gaze into it long ami
fondy. At this time was very wild and dis
solute. and although the ladies told me / was
handsome and fascinating, vet the general
tenor of my life together with my unh0undnd
concclt made me anything but model Young
man.
"And one night there came n changa-the be-
ginning or most cruel revenge for this sin
Of mine"
Tears came into the young fellows eyes as
he said this and looked down at the manacles
on his wrists. It was sad picture to see
hClp'cSS condition.
..Ycs, it was q year ago" he went or in
2 low voice as if his thoughts We're far away,
Iand what terrible year it has been for me.
One night I came home about 12 o'clock.
snnnosc l insult have hecn very ncrvous, for
felt very strange; did not feel like myself;
as usual | looked at my face in Che mirror.
there was strange look on it as / gazcd
became fixed unon the eyes in the glass, fas-
toned there with an unaccOunalaa fearful
fascination. Should ! live, sir, for q thousand
as L looked into my own eyes. 1t seemed as
If my soul had risen up and va vas gazing hack
itself opened up through those orhs. can
not attempt to describe 1t. Oh, 1t was the
widest: wsiE ;l most agonizins moment
night into human heart. \ hundred ghost
ly hands reaching, down could got hire fright
encd me as much. / was wild with terror
eyes, and they seemed 10 open up still deeper
as I gazed l carried my face nearer to the
turn away, my SON held me there 1t was
an an, awful ho4F IT. mahG me believe In ehosts
shook reason from her throne.
- knew it was my spirit th9t looked out
01 n9se 1e5 mfa hGv 10 o an &aa
stripped as completely of it as il l had been
ghastly skeleton before that glass. Face to
it, and feeling its touch about me, l stood and
qualed in terror.
you may talk of mans lonely encounter
with a wild beast when there Is none to hear
help of his perishing slowly in the wider
ness with no eye TO see, you may speak of
iShcd men at sea gaze into answering eyes
Of hunger, thlrsting for each others blood
the ndcscribable terror Of that moment when
d man feels himself alone with his soul. strip
ped of his mortal strength, with reason tot
terng. and, all helpless, still struggles for
the mastery.
''How long it held ne thus. I am unable TO
say. My terror ut length found voice, My
Wild shiieks aroused the housc-they thought
l was being murdered. Rushing in they found
me / afterwards learned, crouched in the
fartherest corner with my face to the wall.
and muttering an awful glibberish i'll a frenzy
| of terror.
'It was a terrible revelation to my family
| and they knew not how to account for it.
| Frustrated mentally and physically was soon
| sufficiently exhausted to be put to bed, and
there remained in an unconscious state for
| several days About the third morning. how
ever, I was rational again, and they all be-
| lievcd as the doctor told them, that it was
| simply a nervous attack and l would soon be
! well.
| Il talked to them Just rs did befOrc-hut
| gradually, steathily, felt that fearful mood
! stealing over me again, that strange desire
TO look at my face in the glass, | would not
| mention the subject and carefully avoided all
| conversation that would lead to it; l was even
very cunning and ingenious TO lead off on
| other topics so that it would not be men
| toned. But all the while growing stronger
| and stronger as the day wore away, that aW-
| full fascination was taking possession Of me.
| / would look longingly toward the glass, yet