The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-09-10
;;;;;;; $685. A Story in Clay. ;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
ssssssssssssssssssss! sy,.m.. O.


~ ~
On a day lat, I'm the fall of the
year 1900, a young Scotchman ap-
peared on the streets of a Western
town, in the guise of a peddler. His
stock in trade consisted of a small
ornament, or model, in clay, repre-
senting young Highland lassie. The
figure was in a kneeling posture and
the girl appeared to be looking up at
some crags which formed the back,
or frame, of the ornament.
The expression on the face-in-
deed, the whole design-was so strik-
Ingly beautiful and realistic, that the
young Scotchman and his handiwork
attracted considerable attention.
Moreover, his method of hardening,
polishing and coloring the clay was
something of a mystery, even to con-
noisseurs. 1t was also noticeable that
the name Maggie was invariably to
be found cut into the pedestal of
every example of the young Scotch
mans plastic skill.
Before long, several we'll known
citizens endeavored to cultivate the
mans acquaintance with the idea of
learning something about his history.
To these gentlemen he was extreme
ly polite and deferential, but his re-
plies to the kindest inquiries were
either evasive or entirely incompre-
hensible. To one OF these gentlemen
he answered as follows:
Where do come from? do not
know. Yes. my name is McGregor-
Ian McGregor. / try to remember
things. 1t is such a beautiful world.
don't you think so?"
Then an effort was made to induce
him to try his skill on some subject
other than Maggie. but with very lit
ltle success, although occasionally he
would so far vary his work as to
fnodel daintiest little hands and feet,
ept they were all Enthusiastically in
| ffred by the same beautiful Scotch
! t9al. In this way the young model
| hr( sold his ornaments on he streets
| II (\nearly year before his customers
aNdke to the fact that the man was
men,ally unbalanced. Then the au-
thofties thought proper to have him
exaAined by an alienist. whose dag
! nosR of the case seemed to ind dicate
thatit was a very extraordinary in
STANG of mental paralysis. and that
Ian MkGregor was probably suffering
from a severe shock of some kind.
He Vas intelligent and sane in
certain WAY, but all his faculties and
ideas sIemed to be bound up and
absorbeA in his occupation of clay
modelling. and, as one of the doctors
remarked, Maggie seems to be the
centre ofyome action or tragedy from
which the mans mental activity is
unable to break away"
So, finally they consigned McGregor
to the State Hospital for further ex-
animation and treatment.
DR.. Richard HOyt. OF the State Hos
pital for the Insane, who had re-
ceived communication from a New
York Detective Agency, making in
quiries aboutla much-sought-for man,
by the name Of Ian McGregor. sat at
MS desk reading the following letter
from this very man, who was one of
his most interesting patients. 1t was
dated and addressed from the Power
House Of the institution:
Il understand that you are not yet
prepared to recoEnmend my discharge
from tnls institution. In submitting
" your decision, have no word of
protest to trouble you with, but be-
fore settling down to my duties for
another term, Wish to write you a
ie''er OF thanks, coupled with an un-
usuSi request. To begin with. | wish
70 assure you that Ilshall always look
upon tnese premisek as holy, sacred
eiouuu' You and ySour noble assist
an'S seem TO surrou4d us. the unfor-
tunate inmates, twithl infinite tender
neSS anu pity, togetlker with never
ceaslng vigilance and Eare. This cot
"ee pan is surely ann inspired idea.
You lead us from cottkse 70 cottage.
up from darkness am oblivion to
hght and liberty. Inv II series of the
happiest. most skillfnk eradations.
That you are, yourself tkhe heart and
sonl of this noble systsTh. l am well
aware. for, only q Few, Vdavs ago !
stood inAyour Office, and nbticed bang.
ing on the wall ptctnra xof the noe
Iennysoe' with these nohlAe lines un.
derneathf " ~"
81 held truth ,r;., !.
no no one $ear harp in iiverS ltones
r.s ss nes iR.<& may rise on seq 6 20 st,ne
~. &<.| <&L61S A, G@.l ~ ~ - - q W