The daily Alaskan., 1905-10-02
A Pair of LunatiCs
[Orlglnal.l

DOs0teN uOuSS puS slSLdu 1b IhS .ASANN Asylum For the Insane. One day he wrote me that there was to be dance at the asylum for the milder patients and asked me to come up. Curious to witness such gathering, I accepted the invitation. I arrived just in lime. Charlie took me Into the dancing hall and said 10 me:
 These patients are only insane on some one subject, and we don't con slider them dangerous. You can speak to any of them without an introduc- tiCn."
 1 chatted with several patients, but could not detect anything wrong with any of them. At last noticed very attractive looking woman apparently about twenty-elght, who excited my interest. Her face wore high cast of thought expression, and 1t seemed to me as I gazed upon 1t that sympathet- ically she was capable of taking in the whole world. I joined her and Invited her to dance. She accepted, and l fan cied she did sc fearing she would hurt my feelings if she declined. After the dance we took seats together.
 You have nice place here," l re marked.
 "Yes. When did you come? I have not seen you here before"
 q came up this afternoon"
 Yes" she went on, i've think 1t q very nice place. I'm much pleased with It." Then she added more to herself than to me fin spite of the cost above the contract"
 You seem to know all about it."
 "So l should. built It."
 Indeed" said to her, then to my self, At last have found one whose weakness Is apparent"
 How much did you put into it?' l asked after a pause in order to draw her out.
 "It cost a hundred thousand. The contract called for ninety thousand"
 Are you very r!th?"
 q have enough to make many people happy"
 How much are you worth?"
 About million"
 was surprised at the moderate esti- mate she put on her possessions. 1 had supposed she considered herself at least a multlmillionaire.
 What is your occupation in lifeT' she asked me presently.
 She seemed so rational on all sub jects except her wealth and benefac- tions that I concluded to tell her the truth. l informed her that I was q scientist, and when she asked me what investigations 1 was then engaged in [ confessed that was struggling with the problem of producing conditions similar to or the same as life.
 What success have you had?' she asked.
 q think l have produced the life principle of the lowest order of plants" "
 She drew e sigh and, rising, said with great kindliness: "I must leave you now. I have great deal to do. The responsibility of this affair rests wholly on me"
 I pitied her with all her fancied wealth and cares and turned to a lady who at once informed me that she was heir to the throne of the Philippine Is lands and had been dispoSSessed by the United States government. took her into supper and, having provided for her refreshment, concluded l would 20 on to the piazza and smoke. While looking for a match I heard voices in the next room.
 'I tell you he's as sane as you or l. How can a man be sane who is try ing to reproduce lfe?'
 The voices were those of Dr. Fisher and the lady who had told me she had built the asylum. At her reply Fisher chuckled. That's good-mighty good insane ecause he's trying to repro duce life. You women will be the death of me. Why, don't you know there are scientists trying to do that very thing?'
 ''I don't care If there are. They are as crazy as this one"
 While listened a sudden succession of thoughts struck my brain 9s shots from rapid fire guns. The patient had thought me insane. l had thought her insane. Did she not have cause to con- slider me insane? Was I not fit sub feet for bedlam?
 "Yery well,' continued the lady. eff he is sane he Is certainly not gentle man. He asked ne how much this place cost me and how wealthy em."
 This was too much. could endure It no longer. I rushed into the room where they were and stood facing them, my cheeks burning.
 Billy" said the doctor, you've been making guy of yourself. Let me in- troduce you to Miss Merton, to whose muniflcence we are indebted for this institution"
 q humbly crave Miss Mertc2's par don" said abjectly. q should never have presumed to ask her the questions l did had I not
 Considered her as crazy as yourself. You do her injustice. She is remarka- bly, sane. The only evidence of insan- ity she has ever displayed was when she said yours was such an interesting case. No case Is interesting that Is in-