Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-10-22
A MUTUAL MISTAKE.

AS this story travelled in a round
about way it may have been elaborat-
ed and built up before it came to hand
but the facts, as nearly as they can be
learned, are about as follows:
Mr.. Melton, a young man interested
in the lumber trade, travelled on a
suburban train one Friday night tc
attend the weekly dance at the asylum
for the insane.
Mr.. Melton is constantly longing
for experiences" He would rather
look at an opium joint than a dona'
tion party, and would rather go slum
ming than attend Sunday school pic
mic. The ball at the insane asylum
appealed to his love for the pictur
egque. Lowry, the politician, hac
promised to take him out, and Meltor
had not allowed him to forget the
promise.
Lowry came aboard the train at one
of the stations on the way out, anC
the two were warmly welcomed wher
they arrived at the asylum, for thl!
Lowry was companionable man o
considerable influence.
AS Melton stood in the doorway O
the ballroom and glanced at the row.
of well-behaved and rather abasheC
people against the wall, he could hard
ly believe that he was so differen'
from the others. He reflected that /
he were to arise some morning anc
tell the other boarders that he was the
Emperor Of China and had more mon
ey than he could use, he might become
one Of this company.
Except that many of them were pale
and melancholy and a few OF then
were heavy-eyed, intent on studying
the floor, the assemblage would have
compared favorably with any chance
gathering gofrespectable everyday peo
pie.
He knew, of course, that the yiolen
patients or those totally dementec
were not allowed at the ball. Th'
company was made up of GONZALES
cents or those whose vision was merely
twisted so that they could not se'
things in their proper relation. Som'
of the young men had attired them
selves with particular care and wor'
buttonhole bouquets. Many Of th'
women, too, bore the outward signs G
gayety. Melton was rather disappoint
ed. He had wanted to witness some
thing "uncanny."
Il want you to dance this evening,
said Superintendent Lucas, standing
at his elbow. Zone trouble with tn
visitors is that they stand around an(
stare at the patients as if they were
lot of freaks. Now, these people arr
not dangerous You needn't believ
everything they tell you but If yo'
mix up with them and are fnendl,
you'll find them very easy to get aloni
with. Come on, I'll introduce you t
some of them.
The little orchestra was tuning W
and a patient who had been installe'
as floor manager was giving a correc
imitation of a sane man who had beel
thrown under the same trying respon
sibility.
Melton had attended many evenin
parties, but he felt new embarrass
ment as he passed along a line of de
mure women patients, and bowed t
each of them in turn. He shook hand
u
with several of the men and the
backed up to the wall to watch tn
opening. The superintendent, stand
ing beside him, said
ooh, by the way, you must NEE
Miss Caldwell"
He beckoned to young woman VIII
was talking to the leader of the orches
ira, and as she came across the room
Melton whistled to himself and said
Here's a case of blighted love, an,
she's not over twenty"
"Miss Caldwell, l want to presen
Mr.. Melton" said the superintendent
Hes rather bashful in company
but perhap. you can entertain hin
Now I'll go and look after Lowry.
Melton found himself staring at
very pretty girl, who returned HI
gaze in halt frightened manner.
His head buzzed, and he never be
fore was so much in want of topic.
How was he to begin a conversatio
with young woman who might fanc
him to be the prince who had come
rescue her from the tower?