The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-10-21
A LUNATIC BALL.

As this story. travelled in rounda-
bout way it may have been elaborated
and built up before it came to hand,
but the facts, as nearly as they can be-
learned are about as follows:
Mr.. Melton, young man interested
in the lumber trade, travelled on sub
urban train one Friday night to attend
the weekly dance at the asylum for the
inselo.
Mr.. Melton is constantly longing for
Experiences He would rather look
at an opium joint than donation par
| ty and would rather go Summing than
attend n Sunday school picnic. The ball
at the insane asylum appealed to his
love for the picturesque. Lowry, the
| politician, had promised to take him
out, and Melton had not allowed him
to forget the promise.
Lowry came aboard the train at one
of the stations on the way out, and the
two were warmly welcomed when they
arrived at the asylum, for this Lowry
was companionable man of consider
able influence.
As Melton stood in the doorway of
the ballroom and glanced at the rows
of we'll behaved and rather abashed peo-
pie against the wall he could hardly
believe that he was so different from
the others. lie reflected that il he were
to arise some morning and tell the 9TH
er boarders that he was the emperor of
China and had moro 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 eyed, intent on studying the floor,
the assemblage would have compared
favorably with any chance gathering of
respectable everyday people.
He knew, of course, that the violent
patients or those totally demented were
not allowed ct the ball. The company
was made up of convalescents or those
whose ision was merely twisted so that
they could not sec things i'll their proper
relation. Some Of the younger men had
attired themselves with particular care
and wore buttonhole bouquets Many of
the women. too, bore the outward signs
of gayety Melton was rather disap-
pS9dipItsai4lt ng lla has. wanted to witness
81 want you 10 dance this evening,
said Superintendent Lucas, standing at
his elbow. como trouble with the Wis.,
itors is that they stand around and stare
at the patients as if they were lot of
freaks. Now. these people are not dan
gerous You needn't believe everything
they tell you. but if you mix up with
them and are friendly you'll find them
very easy to get along with. Come on,
and I'll introduce You to some of
them.
The little orchestra was tuning up,
and patient who had been installed
as floor manager was giving II correct
imitation of sane man who had been
thrown under tho same trying RESPONSE
bility.
Melton had attended many evening
parties, but he felt new embarrass-
ment as he passed along a line of de-
mure women patients aud bowed to each
of them in turn He shook hands with
several of the men and then backed up
to the wall to watch the opening. The
superintendent, standing beside him,
said:
ooh, by tho way, you must meet
Miss Caldwell. F"
He beckoned to young woman who
was talking to the leader of the orches-
ira, and as she came across the room
Melton whistled to himself and said:
"Here's case of blighted love, and
she's not over go
"Miss Caldwell, / want to present
Mr.. Melton" said the superintendent
Hes rather bashful in company, but
perhaps you can entertain him. Now
I'll go and look after Lowry"
Melton found himself staring at
very pretty girl, who returned his gaze
in half frightened manner.
His head buzzed, and he never before
was so much in want Of topic. How
was he to begin conversation with a
young woman who might fancy him to
be tho prince who had come to rescue
her from the tower?
"Do you dancer" he asked in a sud-
den desperation.
She gave start, and he imagined
that she shrank back little.
"I'd ratEer not, +" said she timidly.
"Well, then, let's sit over here in
the corner and watch the others +"
They found an out Of the way place,
and Melton, who had recovered little,
remembered the instructions given him
by the superintendent.
"These dances are very pleasant lit
tie AFFAIRS said he. "They seem to
be attended by an agreeable lot Of peo-
pie.
~ think it's a good idea to have
them, " said she. "You know most OF
these people, Of course?"
'1've met number OF them" he re-
piled
"You like Mr.. Lucas, don't your
VERY well indeed; nice fellow. :"
He didn't tell you, did he, that 1
was cousin of his?"
Mr.. Melton began to suspect the ma
ture Of her delusion. He resolved to be
diplomatic.
'Oh, yes, knew that" he said. $50
you re cousin of Mr. LucasT'
Eyes, I'm here visiting him. I've
been here about two weeks. Mrs. Lucas
Is SO good to all the-people here, isn's
she?"
Eyes, indeed. She's very consider
ate. y
Melton now understood the situation
This girl did not know that she was il,
an asylum. They had told her that she
was visitor
Its nice place to come for visit,
said he. 81 came out here with friend
Of mine, gentleman named Lowry. /
live in Chicago.
''Oh, yes. Well, I'm sure you'll like
| it out here. -
"I'm sorry can't stay longer. I'm