Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-14
THE EVIL OF AN OATH.

body for miles around knew him, yet he had never been known to speak to any human being, though there was good evil dence that he had full control of his vocal organs When believing himself alone ne had been heard talking to inanimate op- iects around, but the moment the pres ence of another person was mace known he ceased to talk. For twenty-five years he had lived in that vicinity and not once had any one been able to engage him in conversation. He was fond of the society of others. but always used a pencil ana piece of paper as a medium Of communl- cation. nc.
 Of his birthplace and his early nte nothing was known. His acquaintances only knew he had located among them some twenty-five years ago and had since lived there He was kindly disposed to- wards all children and was loved py them. ,
 If asked about his early life or his peo- nle A shadow would diSplace the smile inon his face Soon thereafter he would find excuse to leave, and probably Tor week would not leave his house agaln. So noticeable had this become that ms friends had long since ceased to ask hiiii questions of that character;
 Once each year, usually in the spring time. the neighbors had observed that he was missing for a few days, or week, and sometimes for a longer period. where he spent this time no one knew, as he was never seen to leave or return.
 Having heard of MT. Harlen and ms eccentricities I determined to see him and if possible ascertain something of his life and the cause, or causes, that ieu him to adopt this mode of living. IL was lovely spring morning when roQe up to his house and alighted.- W1tnout waiting for an invitation l walked III. Seated in a hammock smoking "cob hand volume, which later discovered to be a Bible, was a middle-aged gentleman, with silvery white hair and beard. Near him on the floor were half dozen news papers. As I stepped up on the piazza he extended his right hand and smiling pleasantly motioned me to chair. Talk ing out pad and pencil he wrote a few lines, informing me that he could hear perfectly and that 1t was unnecessary for me to resort to the use of pencil and paper.
 After an hour or so accepted his invi- tation to go hunting. We were out most of the day. That night spent with him and I never received warmer welcome or better treatment than he gave me. The evening passed pleasantly, yet he had so far declined to furnish the in- formation I desired. The next morning after partaking of a splendidly prepared breakfast I told him of my intention to return to the city. He urged me to re- main with him longer, but l explained that it would be impossible for me to do so. As I mounted my horse to ride away he handed me the following letter, sealed and addressed to me:
 My name is John Harlen, age 45 and native of Virginia. I came to Alabama twenty-five years ago and located where I now am. and have ever since lived here in seclusion, and, as you have been truthfully informed, without speaking to an hIt n n hnI
 "Why do I not talk to other people? you ask. It is a punishment inflicted upon myself in expiation of one of the greatest possible crimes. Of an aristo- cratic Virginia family, reared in affiuence, the only child of loving mother and fond father I wanted for nothing. I had @ fearful temper and never tried to control it I couldn't brook opposition to my plans. When in my 20th year I became infatuated with a beautiful girl, and my affections were fully reciprocated. We were secretly engaged for months and when we finally fixed upon date for our marriage Iwent to my father and mother and informed them of my plans. They were bitterly opposed to the marriage on account of the girls family having no social standing. insisted that would marry the girl and so enraged did my mother become that she threatened to drive me from home if I ever spoke to her again of marrying that girl In the heat of passion cursed my mother, and, turn ing from her, left the house. An hour later I was summoned to her bedside. Her anger and the shock of my oath had prostrated her. She never rallied, and at the end of a week died. The only intel ligible words she uttered during her ill., ness were, My own son cursed me-!
 "The night she died I knelt beside her corpse and took an oath to never again speak to human being. That was the penalty for my crime, and to this day my oath has remained inviolate.
 '"The next day she was buried and that night I left home without bidding any one goodbye For days and weeks and months I wandered listlessly about and six months later found myself here. I was exhausted, weary, heart-sick and disconsolate. I wanted seclusion, here I believed could have it. I leased a few acres of land, erected small log hut and have lived here ever since.
 "Since leaving home have never once written to father or any friend, and, I presume, they believe me dead.
 "Once each year, in the spring time, I return to Virginia and visit the grave of my mother, always taking with me a beautiful wreath of flowers. which [ place on her tomb. I always go to the grave on a moonlight night and never permit myself to be seen here by any one.
 ''I have kept my oath and for these twenty-five years no human being has heard me utter word. This Is, I believe, the worst form of punishment. At times feel that would give the world, did l possess it, could speak but one word No mind can conceive the misery that has accompanied the compliance with my oath. But it will never violate.
 "You are the only person to whom I have ever confided my story, but feel that my end is near and when death claims me want those who have been so kind to me to know the reason I had for not tallxing.'
 Thanking MT. Harlen for the kindness he had shown me and promising to visit him again I mounted my horse and started on my return to the city.