The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-10-08
AN ASYLUM DANCE.


 built up before it came to hand, but the facts, as nearly as they can be learned, are about as follows:
 Nr. Melton, a young man interested in the lumber trade, travelled on asubur- ban train one Friday night to attend The weekly dance at the asylum for the insane
 Mr. Melton is constantly longing for Experiences" He would rather look as an opium joint than n donation party, and would rather go "slumming" than attend Sunday school picnic. The ball at the insane asylum appealed to his aovc for the picturesque. Lowry, the politician. had promised to take him nut, and Melton had not allowed him to Sorget the promise.
 Lowry came aboard the train at one Of the stations on the way out, and the two were warmly welcomed when they 1rrived at the asylum. for this Lowry was a companionable man of consider able influence.
 As Melton stood in the doorway of the failroom and glanced at the rows of weit-bsAbavcd and rather-abashed pco- sic against the wall, he could hardly believe that he was so different from the setSers. He reflected that if he were to arise some morning and tell the other bonrders that he was the emperor of China and had more money than he could use, he might become one of this company.
 Except that many of them were pale md melancholy and few of them were hsavy-eyed intent on studying the floor, the assemblage would have compared farorabiy with any chance gathering of respectable everyday people.
 Ne knew, of course, that the violent patients or those totally dementcd ~crc bot allowed at the ball. The com Eany was made up of convalescents or those whose vision was merely twisted so that they could not see things in ,fheir proper relation. Some of the younger men had attired themselves with particular care and wore button hole bouquets. Many of the women. too. bore the outward signs of gryety. Melton was rather disappointed. He had wanted to witness something "un- canny."
 -iI want you to dance this evening"" . said Superintendent Lucas. standing aI his elbow. One trouble with the visitors is that they stand around and stare at the patients as if they were | Int of freaks. Now these people are not dangerous. You needn't believe everything they tell you: but if you -,t fr;a Souu find them very easy to get along with. Come on. I'll introduce you to some of them"
 The little orchestra was tuning up. and n patient who had been installed AS floor manager was giving a correct limitation of sane man who had been thrown under the same trying respon- -sibility.
 Melton had attended many evening ,aT,ics. but he felt q new embarrass- .n,ent as he passed along line of de- r,ure women patients, and 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. Ire superintendent, stand ing beside him. said: "Oh. by the way. you must meet Miss Caldwell"
 He beckoned to young woman who Syas talking to the leader of the or chcsfra, and as she came across the room Melton whistled to himself and said: "iIerc's case of blighted love, 11rd she's not over 20."
 Miss Caldwell, l want to present BIr. Melton" said the superintendent. ~-Ile's rather bashful in company. but perhaps you can entertain him. New Hi go and look after Lowry"
 Melton found himself staring at a very pretty girl. who returned his gaze in ha,f-frightened manner.
 His head buzzed. and he never before xns so much in want of topic. How mas he to begin conversation with a young woman who might fancy him 1o be the prince who had come to rescue her from the tower?"
 Do you dance?" he asked, in sud- &en desperation.
 She gave start, and he imagined that she shrunk back little.
 -Td rather not" said she, timidly.
 Well. then, let's sit over here in the corner and watch the others"
 They found an out-of-thc-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 people,"
 -I shink it's a good idea to have theIn." said she. You know most of these people. of course"
 five met number of them," he re- piled.
 You like Mir. Lucas, don't you?"
 ~Very well. indeed. Mic, fellow"
 "Ie didn't tell you. did he, that was a cousin of his?"
 Mir. Melton began to suspect the na- ture of her delusion. He resolved to be diplomatic.
 "Oh. yes. knew that" he said. "So you're a cousin of MT. Lucas?"
 ~Ycs. I'm here visiting him. I've r1 t,p,