Waterbury Democrat., 1902-11-25
7 AN EXCITING ASSIGNMENT.
The Lineman's Adventures in the Asy-
 1l1nl Grounds

LHe A4lHeIIduS $ AuVeHIuIeS III lHe ASy-
 lum Grounds.
 "We all meet with strange adven- lures in this world, I guess, esaid an old lineman, sSbut l think l had an ex- perience mat beats many one. While engaged with the Bell Telephone Go. was sent out one day to find the trOu- ble between the office and the Insane hospital at Indianapolis. Shooting trouble is what we call it. I followed the line all the way out and found the dl--culty lay between forty-foot pole and the phone in the mems building
 An attendant escorted me from place to place; but while I was in the hall examining the telephone he was called away, was busy with my work when a hand was laid on my shoulder and voice at my elbow said:
 Say is that the safe where you put my moneyY
 Astonished, looked up. and into the face of an elderly man, who looked every inch the gentleman, being neatly and carefully dressed. For a moment was too much surprised to answer, Tor his appearance at first helied the inference drew from his question, but 2 closer observation revealed an un- natural expression in his eyes; so, re- membering where I was, knew he was a maniac. Thinking to humor him, l said:
 E" Yes. I put it there; it is good place for it.
 Quick as a flash he caught up a heavy stool that was standing near and brought it down with all his might on the telephone crushing it.
 Give it to me. qufck-quiclxi' he gasned. but I didn't stop. to give him anything, but just started on run for the door and there met the attendant, who soon quieted the poor fellow and led him away.
 had to make another trip to the city for another telephone, and as it was late by this time I didn't go back until the next day. When I got ont there found several 'trusties' guarded by their keepers working in the gar den. saw my friend of the day be- fore busy with a large knife topping turnlps. He glanced up at me. and I saw quick, angry gleam shoot into his eyes.
 T had to climb q tree i'll an isolated part of the yard to ulfasten a wire that had in some way caught on a K called I'D the wire chief and explained the case to him, so with the work If had done and talking to him twenty minutes must have passed. started to get down, and when reached the lower limb looked for a place to drop. But I didn't drop, for there, standing at the foot of the tree, stood my crazy man the knife still in his hand.
 T !, r T., YOU. You are tho man that stole my five thousand. Give it up to me.or I will kill you, you thief Come down or I will come up there and cut your heart outr
 '.But I didn't come. I scrambled higher and yelled for help, though none came.
 The maniac found heavy board near and, placing it against the tree, started to climb up. but in his hurry and excitement he did not place it sa- curely, and when he was about half way up it slipped and he went sprawl ing to the ground. He got on his feat and tried it once more. Again and again he tried it, but it would slip and throw him. Several times, however. he came within an inch of reachine the lower limb from which he could have easily climbed up to where was
 About this time another inmate came sauntering along and at once took hand in the game and held fhe plank for my friend, who soon made good headWav. and saw in a few mo. lments ha would reacL me-
 yelled again. but no one came ! At that instant an idea dashed into nv ibrain. I quickly attached the test sa1 ] and called the wire chief at the office For heavens sake. call up the insane l hospital and tell them to send help te 1 me or I am dead man. Thare arc two lunatics after me. and one of then is coming up the tree with a knifn I foot long! Hurry. hurry, for Gods sakev
 With 8 surprised exclamation ht cut me out I looked down and foun6 \ the man was in the tree, and was com ing toward me, snarling like wild cat.
 Closer he came, until he was jus below me. when he seated himself or large limb, and, fourishing the knife yelled:
 Look at this. Aint it a baaut l Won't it cut you. though? It is sharp sharD! l will cut you up like a steak
 He G+arted toward me. and had on. hand on my foot. and had just raiset I the other 10 kick him when severa keepers rushed up: two of then ! climbed hestree. and just as he raised ! the knife to strike they reached hin l and threw a .Spa around him. So in ! tent was he on doing for mo that h, 5I did not sec them. and was easily taken
 Tt is safe to say that whenevo ! there was work to he done ont ther, l didn't go."-Cincinnati Enquirer.