The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-11-24

n CAS- - up before 1t came to
fNIVK hand, but the facts,
e. . "a % %s nearly 1s"[6s5 as .t they cI eau
as follows:
Mr. Melton, young man interested
in tho lumber trade, Travelled ON n
suburban train one Friday night 20
intend the weekly dance at the asylum
for tho insane.
Mr.. Melton is constantly longing
for experiences. Ho would rather
look nj AN opium Joint than dona-
tlon party, and would raih er go SUM
ming than attend II Sunday school PIC
mic. The ball at the insane asylum
appealed to his love Tor the pictur.
esque. Lowry, tho politician, had
promised to take him out, and Melton
hao rot allowed him to forget the
promise.
Lowry came aboard the train ut one
of the stations on the way ont, and
the two were warmly welcomed when
they arrived ut the asylum, for this
Lowry was compauionuble man OF
considerable influence
As Melton stood in the doorway of
the ballroom and glanced Mt the rows
OF well-behaved and rather nbashed
people against the wall, lie could
hardly believe that he was so different
from the others. He reflected that if
he were to arise some morning and
tell the other boarders that he was the
Emperor Of China and Ind more money
than he could use, he might become
one OF this company,
Except that many of them were
pale and melancholy and few
OF them were heavy intent
on studying the floor, the assemblage
would have compared favorably with
any chance gathering OF respectable
every day people.
he knew, OF course, that the violent
patients or those totally demented
were not allowed Mt the ball. The
company was mado mp Of Gonzales
cents or those whose vision was merely
twisted so that they could not see
things In their proper relation. Some
OF the younger men had attired them
selves with particular care and wore
buttonhole bouquets. Many OF the
women, too, bore the outward signs
OF gaycty. Melton was rather dIsup.
pointed He had wanted to witness
something "uncanny."
81 want you to dance this evening"
said superintendent Lucas, standing
ut his elbow. zone trouble with the
visitors Is that they stand around and
stare ut the patients as If they were a
lot OF freaks. Now, these people are
not dangerous. You needn't believe
everything they tell you; but if you
mix mp with them and are friendly
you'll find them very easy to get along
with. Come on, Pll introduce you to
some of them"
The little orchestra was turning M,
and patient who had been installed
as floor manager was giving IL correct
imitation OF a sane man WHO had been
thrown under the same trying respon-
sibility.
Melton had attended many evening
parties, but he felt new embarrass-
mont as he passed along limo OF de-
muro women patients, and bowed TO
each OF them IN turn. He shook hands
with several of tho men and then
backed mp to the wall to watch the
opening. The superintendent stand
ing beside him, said:
. ooh. by the way, you must meet
Miss Caldwell"
Tie beckoned TO young woman
who was talking TO tho leader OF the
orchestra, and as she came across the
room Melton whistled TO himself and
said
"Hcro's case Of blighted love, md
she's not over twenty"
Miss Caldwell, | want TO present
Nir. Melton" said the superintendent.
'dc's rather bashiul i'm company,
but perhaps YOU can entertain him.
Now III 90 and look after Lowry"
Melton found himself staring Mt II
very pretty girl, who returned his
gnle Iu hnG frightened manner.
tits bead 5uzzed, nul ho never bo
fore wa, so much in want OF topic.
How was he TO begin couver=alion
with % young woman who might
iancy nIm 80 be tho prince wuo lad
come 90 rescue her from tho tower?
''Jo you dause2" ho uskol i'm sui
den desperation
SD. asc 70 start, md D.. imagined
THAT -h Irurs back little.
.1rUH.f u.t." spil she timtily
'Nn. tuoD, let's sit over hero lu
the corner ana watch tho others"
they ioInl an out-Of-thc.way
place au Melton who had recon
crcd % Ill'e, remembered the instrdc-
ti"ns given Lim by the superintcnd-
ont
'Ihc dances are very pleasant lit
tie nia u, toil he. "They seemed
TO bc attended by an agreeable lot Of
people"
81 th nt it's good idea 60 have
them mrd she. "You know most of
these people, OF course"
We met number Of them" he
replied.
"You ike Mr.. Lucas, don't yeuY"