The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-08-26

which filled the large hall.
A glance out into the night showed
the deep-blue heaven overhead and q
brilliant full moon, whose cold, cleai
rays sparkled on the fresh foliage OF
the budding trees as they swayed
gently to and fro in the light breeze.
The members of the society to which
at this time belonged had been accus-
toned for some time past to reserve a
certain table in the cafe for them
selves, where they met every evening
to chat over and discuss the events OF
the passing hour. They were, for the
most part, respectable citizens, who
had far more appreciation for bright
gas-light and good dinner than for
the charms of glorious spring night,
and nothing was further removed from
their thoughts on this particular occ a.
sion than romantic contemplation of
the beauties of nature. On the night
l am speaking of our conversation
was of n prosaic enough character, as
was only natural in small town. and
exhausted itself in discussions about
local matters, the theatre, taxes. and
similar-to an outsider-extremely un-
interesting topics.
Through some chance remark, how
ever, which can no longer recall, the
question had sprung up if it were
really credible that mans hair could
suddenly become grey in consequence
of violent shock to the mind. Some
OF those present were only half inclined
to disbelieve this somewhat startling
theory, whilst others could not be
sufficiently scathing in the remarks
they made concerningpeople who were
simple enough to place any credence
in such nursery tales.
AS the discussion grew warmer and
warmer, until every member of our
party was engaged either in champion
ing or combating the question in point,
man, seated near us, rose slowly.
pushing his chair from him, and ap-
preached our table. He was fine, tall
fellow, of herculean build, and his in
telligent features, which bore an ex-
preston of great determination, were
rendered very striking by pair of
keen blue eyes; but what made his
appearance still more remarkable was
the fact that both his hair and beard
were as white as snow, although they
surrounded countenance which would
not permit one to reckon his age at
more than about thirty-five.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, if am in
terrupting your conversation" he re-
marked, bowling politely to us. "You
were Just discussing subject that has
more than an ordinary interest for me-
] happen myself to be living proof
that, under certain circumstances, n
terrible shock to the mind can pro-
duce that self-same physical effect of
which you We're just speaking, and
which the majority of you seem to dis
credit"
These words naturally excited the
curiosity of all present to the highest
degree. We quickly made room for
our new acquaintance Mt the table,
and, when he had seated himself
comfortably, urged him to relate to
us the circumstances which hadi pro-
duced such strange and sudden
change in his appearance. The
stranger feigned no great shyness,
and acquiesced in the most pleasant
manner possible by relating to us the
following:
'If any of you gentlemen have ever
interested yourselves more closely in
American affairs, the name of Auburn
cannot well be strange to you; it de-
notes much the same for the United
States as Spielberg does for Austria.
You must not picture Auburn to your
selves merely as gloomy and extern
sive prison-as one large, solitary
building-no! 1t is rather an entire
colony of criminals, sort of town or
metropolis for the wretches that the
community has thrust out.
shut in by immense walls, which
rise up from the level plain to con-
siderable height, are crowded to-
gether large number of detached
buildings-houses that contain the
prison-cells, warders' dwellings, hos
pital, and workshops-all sullen and
forbidding-looking; and here and there
dotted about may be seen small patch
of grass, few trees, and, very occa-
sionally, a hower-bed, like the last
lingering recollections of innocent
childhood amongst the black thoughts
of criminal.
Certain events, which would have
but little interest for you, had led to
my journeying from Hamburg-my