The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-12-25
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
insane.
Mr.. Melton is constantly longing for
experiences. He would rather look
at an opium joint than a donation par
ty and would rather go Summing than
attend 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 a 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. He reflected that if he we're
to arise some morning and tell the 9TH
er boarders 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
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 at the ball. The company
was made up of convalescents 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 themselves with particular care
and wore buttonhole bouquets. Many Of
the women, too, bore the outward signs
Of gayety. Melton was rather disap-
pointed. He had wanted to witness
something 'uncanny.
II want you to dance this evening,
said Superintendent Lucas, standing al
his elbow. lone 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 a patient who had been installed
as floor manager was giving correct
imitation Of sane man who had beer
thrown under the same trying response
bility.
Melton had attended many evening
parties, but he felt q new embarrass
ment as he passed along line of de
mure women patients and bowed to each
Of them in turn. He shook hands will
several of the men and then backed NJ
to the wall to watch the opening. Tit
superintendent, standing beside him
said:
"Oh, by the way, you must NEE
Miss Caldwell. "
He beckoned to young woman WHIT
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, ant
she's not over 90"
"Miss Caldwell, / want to presen
Mr.. Melton" said the superintendent
Hes rather bashfu! in company, bu
perhaps you can entertain him. Nov
I'll go and look after Lowry"
Melton found himself staring at
very pretty girl, who returned his ga1
IN half frightened manner.
His head buzzed, and he never befor
was so much in want Of topic. How
was he to begin q conversation with {
young woman who might fancy him Il
be the prince who had come to rescue
her from the tower?
"Do you dancef'' he asked in a sud
den desperation.
She gave a start, and he imagined
that she shrank back little.
"I'd rather not " said she timidly.
"Well, then, let's sit over here il
the corner and watch the others. "
They found an out of the way place
and Melton, who had recovered little
remembered the instructions given hin
by the superintendent
"These dances are very pleasant lit
tie affairs" said he. They seem t
be attended by an agreeable lot Of peo
ple."
81 think it's q good idea to hav
. | them - said she HYou knovv most n