The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-05-27
A Thrilling Case
Of Somnambulism

munity OF Liverpool, England, was |
much interested in a case of somnam-
bulism. which occurred on a vessel |
bound to that place from India. II |
was reported, on the arrival Of the
vessel, and subsequently a communi-
cation on the subject was made to one
Of the local papers. Its thrilling and
peculiar character renders it well
worthy Of a place In print.
AS passengers on board of this
vessel were Mr.. Mills. wife and child.
Mr.. Mills had for long time occupied
q lucrative mercantile position In Cal
cutta, and was now returning to his
native land to remain. The child was
q bright boy of IL years. They
made merry party on board the ship,
and were popular with passengers,
officers and crew. John Mills. the
boy, was an especial favorite, and had
the liberty of every part of the vessel.
One day the weather-beaten captain
and Mr.. Mills were on deck. looking
at the boy as he ran about.
"A noble lad" said the captain. "Mr.
Mills, you ought to be proud father"
THANK you. captain" replied Mr..
Mills with tears of honest pride and
Joy standing in his eyes. 81 am
proud. | can assure you, But do you
know that at times l feel great dis.
tress about him"
"Distress!" repeated the captain.
"Why. what about, should like to
know? He Is In the best Of health
he is intelligent-his prospects in life
are good. What more do you want?"
81 will tell you the trouble" said
Mr.. Mills, with serious face. Ever
since John was Ave years Of age he
has been a somnambulist. His moth.
er and myself are In constant appre-
hension that In some of these spells
harm may come to him."
The kind-hearted captain at once set
to work to quiet the fears of the ia
Their.
Hell outgrow 1T am sure he
WILL" he said. II don't think anything
will happen. But" he added as he
looked again upon the boy as he
bounded by; "but I'd watch him. es.
pecially on board ship. for he is too
noble q lad to be exposed to danger"
Days passed on. The weather was
favorable and every one on board was
consequently In good spirits. The
deck and cabin were scenes OF con-
slant social interchanges and amuse-
ment. In fact, the good old captain
declared over and over again that in
all his experience at sea he had never
had a more agreeable company, or
more satisfactory weather.
Matters were in this happy condi.
ton one afternoon when there came a
sudden exclamation from Mira. Mills:
"Wheres John?"
"John - John, where are your
shouted Mr.. Mills, springing to his feet
and rushing through the main cabin.
"He's safe on deck, undoubtedly"
said one.
Hes with the captain" suggested
another.
BY this time Mr.. Mills was on deck
where he soon confronted the cap
tain.
Great Heaven, captain, where's
John?" exclaimed the father.
81 do not know" replied the cap
tain. "He is not on deck"
The faces of both men were
banched. In an instant the ship was
in an uproar No one had seen the
boy. With frantic cries the father
and mother searched in every possible
place in the cabin, and the crew
searched the decks. A dreadful appre
bension was settling upon all. Thi
was that the boy had fallen over
board.
At this particular time the captain
looked aloft. Not with any idea o
seeing the boy, but as a matter o
habit and duty. All the sails wer
sset, and It was not easy to see al
parts OF the rigging. To the captain
surprise and Joy he discovered Johl
peTCuou VII Onc Vi lhO uPPOi SioSs
trees.
Look alofti look aloft!" he cried
there's the lad on the crosstree."
The passengers and crew at ono
crowded near him.
my boy is asleep! oh, Heaven!
was the wailing exclamation Of tn
father.
Mrs. Mills fell to the deck uncol
scious at the terrible danger Of he
son. All were aghast with horror.
The ship plowed on. Every sa
was full Of the fair and steady win
and not q sound was now,heard e.
cept the noise Of the ropes In th
blocks and the falling Of the wave
from the bow. There sat the boy O
the crosstree, with one arm aroun
the mast. He was evidently aslee
and at any instant, by suddenly aw
king might fall to the deck or in'
the sea.
No one uttered q word-not An o
der was given-but in an instant Il
captain himself was seen ascendir
the rigging. He went up nimhly an
quickly. Every eye was bent upc
him, and then upon the boy. Hear
almost ceased to beat; and tears RI