Sharp County record., 1899-12-22
THE TIMELESS MAN

GONE fifty years ago the world was
y startled by the news of the tragic
end of Godfrey Warren, whose sudden
accession to vast wealth had been the
talk of society. The true story of his
death was never told, but it was known
that he died mysteriously and alone. !
, One of Mr.. Warren's descendants now
offers us the following veritable record
OF the strange circumstances which led
10 his unhappy ancestors miserable
end. 1T is a weird tale that will linger
long in the memory. ** -. '
Godfrey Warren suffered from one Of
t the most singular hallucinations the
world has ever known. He believed
that so far as he was concerned time
went infinitely faster than with other
people. In the midst of conversation,
With his mind seemingly intent upon
ihe subject discussed, he would inter-
fupt the speaker to consult his watch;
hen, replacing it in his pocket, he
would nod with an exclamation of i'm
patience, as If annoyed at the flight
Of time., His mind travelled with the
rapidity Of lightning from one subject
to another, untilatlength hisspeech lost
coherency and became unintelligible.
lie had been an inveterate smoker; now
ne no longer INDUCED in this recrea-
ton; he had no time. His fayorite
books, his violin, which he played with
considerable skill, lay neglected. Mean
while he rushed about breathlessly,
with the air Of man to whom the loss
of a moment meant death. .'.. e.,
"Go slow" said his family physician.
II can't" the young man would re-
spond with sigh; there is SO much
for me to do" t p ."
twas at this period that his friends,
solicitous for his welfare, persuaded
him to put himself into the hands of
physicians. Worn out by their en-
treaties and his own fears, Warren
finally consented. After lengthy con-
sultation, the tribunal decided that, as
the reckoning Of time appeared to be
his sole maady, the remedy lay in his
being placed in quiet locality and de-
rived OF the records Of passing events
erfect seclusion for the patient, they
argued, would bring mental repose
And his fathers old friend, Prof. Her.
bert, agreed to take charge of him.
! Warren proved docile patient. He
parted with his watch willingly, and
abandoned himself, without regret, to
the rules prescribed for him.
Accompanied by the professor and
his daughter, he arrived safely at the
retreat. So intent was he upon being
cured Of his mania that on their journey
Warren had failed to note revolutions
OF the carriage wheels, and had even
become interested in the young girl,
who regarded him curiously, as she
might a new planet.
The apartment assigned to him was
large circular room, flooded with sun
light. The walls were hung with charts
OF the heavens, while on the floor were
spread Persian rugs Of brilliant and in
tricate designs. Altogether Warren
was pleased with his new quarters.
Certainly 1t was a pleasant room. Yet
there was something missing.
He frowned slightly; then his eyes
fell upon sun dial Of ancient pattern.
He quickly turned away, affecting
not to have noticed it. The professor
and the girl retired, md as he heard
hem descend the circular stairway he
miled, His eyes were fixed upon the
'ai' and dream Of Joy lit them. lie
would be able, with practice, to calcu-
late the exact time of day. He could
have danced with delight at the
thought, yet he shuddered at the pros
lect. That night he retired early in
Jrder not to think Of time. ,..... s
The next morning he began to rebel
at his confinement. lie thought OF him
self, young, rich and ambitious; u re-
cluse confined in an observatory, with
no companions save charts and books,
and no record Of the passing OF time.
The latter appeared to him terrible
condition. Life was going on else
where. People were keeping appoint
ments hourly. Railway trains were
numbering over the country, all sehed-
led, timed to the minute Soon he
would not DO cognizant Of the day OF
the week, month or year. 90, ,I, f !, ..
Oh, II he had his watchl He sat for
hours with his fingers held upon his
pulse, counting its beats, Sixty time
siSty-that made an hour, Az length
he began to mark the walls with
poeketlsnie, each time cutting deeper.
The seconds he indicated by dashes,
the minutes by dots, and the hours by
stars! Soon he removed the maps and
charts in order 10 continue his chron-
ology.' Days passed, during which he
ate little, staring obsently at the serv-
mt, who had lately begun TO mani.
fest avfear Of him. Time that had at
first appeared interminable now seemed
fhirly 70 fly away from him He would