The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-12-03
miscellaneous
lust A KINK IN HIS BRAIN.

Three years ago a little, why man,
with jet black hair and flashing black
eyes, was committed to one of the New
York State insane asylums. He had
been picked up by the constable OF Il
village not dozen miles from Bing-
hamton, and because he couldn't tell
his name or anything else about him
self. was pronounced insane by the
local Medical Board. After week in
the village lock up ne was transferred
to the big State asylum, where he has
been ever since.
Among ell the $500 inmates in the
institution, there was not one who alp
peared TO be as rational as the peculiar
little stranger. According to custom,
he was put in a ward Oh his arrival,
where he could be watched closely and
and every phase of his ma ady studied.
For days he remained in the ward,
busying himself in various ways, but
showing no signs of deiDentia. The
little duties he was called upon to do
he performed cheerfuily and well.
His companions in the ward were bet
ter for his presence, for he could sing
well and talk interestingly GU almost
all subjects, from politics TO literature
and was altogether the brightest,
DISeLIcSb IIIdl IIcd COnlS ILllO
the institution in years.
Two weeks passed without any signs
of insanity on the part of the strange
patient. Then he was called into the
superintendent $ office and examined
with view Of releasing him if he
seemed to be perfectly sane. The man
answered all questions satisfactorily
until he was asked to tie tell his name.
Then strange light came into his
eyes as he ran his hands through his
hair and appeared to be in deep
thought.
he said, finally. Il really don't know"
Don't you know where you came
from?' asked one of the doctors.
mo, | DON'T" answered the man;
my mind is compile blank"
well do you regard yourself as in
sane?n
Something must be wrong with
me-" said the man. Il do not recall
any accident which could make me
forget things. l guess | must be
wrong in the head. have visions
sometimes, but they're disconnected,
and when l forget them once, they're
over"
"
Il have no other place to go.n
So the man was allowed to stay and
he has been an inmate of the asylum
ever since. He was classified do harm
less, and was allowed to have the
freedom OF the buildings and the
grounds. There has been no more
interesting patient in the asylum.
He read the papers, keeping abreast
of the times, he could discuss intelll-
gently any of the questions OF the
day. Visitors have always refused
to believe that he was insane until
they asked him his name. Then that
strange light i'll his eyes, the trick OF
running his hands through his hair,
and finally his invariable I'm sure l
don't know would convince them.
Long ago the asylum gave up all
idea of finding the mans friends or
relatives. They We're more than paid
for the mans keep by the little duties
he performed. He had a good in
iiuence on the violent patients, and
was an alI-around valuable assistant
to the keepers and physicians. The
mystery surrounding him was never
entirely cleared up, but several weeks
ago an incident occurred which
brought back to the mans memory a
| little of his past life and was directly
responsible for making him quite a
social faYorite in the nearby villages
and towns.
1t has been a custom at the asylum
| to give an entertainment about once a
month for the amusement of the
| patients. Sometimes it is a dance,
sometimes a performance. usually
consisting of recitations, readings and
and music. About a month ago d
magician who was performing with IL
variety company at Binghamton vol
unteered to go up to the asylum and
amuse the inmates with few simple
| tricks. His offer was accepted, and on
| the night of the entertainment the
| big dining-room was crowded with
patients and keepers.
The magician was talkatiye young
man, but did his tricks well and was
applauded. Encouraged by his sue
cess, he ventured out into the audience
and proceeded to extract various arti-
Giles from the pockets, noses and
mouths of the patients.
All this time the nameless patient
! had been sitting in corner by him
| self. He watched every move the
magician made and seemed to culver
with suppressed excitement. Finally
the former spied him and walking
over said:
"Stand up, my friend, ard hold this
| SO bill a moment"
The little man stood up and took the
! protfered bill.