Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-07-05
AN ESCAPED
LUNATIC
b. MARTHA v. PEAslE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1914.

Ny brother Henry wrote me that he
was going to bring his friend out to
our country place for the week end
Hes 4 Jim dandy. Edith" wrote
Henry, "and I'm bringing him out .pur-
poseiy to introduce him TO you."
About mile from our place was the
state insane asylum. tn proximity
was . great disadvantage in that
was In constant dread lest some maniac
should escape. come to our house and
murder N all. An escaped lunatic had
once come there when no one but q
maid was In the house and mad fright
ened her out Of her senses.
About 8 O'Clock one afternoon when
l was Just ready to 90 downstairs and
out on to the piazza there came ring
at the telephone. answered the call
myself. It was from the asylum and
was an inquiry as to whether we had
seen or heard Of one Of the inmates
who had left the grounds and gone in
our direction. He had passed out with
a suit case In his hand, telling the gate
keeper that he had been discharged
and was going home. He was one Of
the most dangerous patients in the In
stitution.
replied that we had seen nothing
Of him and sincerely hoped we would
not Then l went out on the piazza
and tried to think OF something else.
r,,,s = x,-o. V,ua bta 20 a. yr,x thou phfs
on anything save mailman coming
down on us. Every man who passed
on the road short distance from
where l sat looked to me like raving
maniac. Finally I saw a~man coming
carrying a suit case. My heart went
right up into my throat ! muttered
a silent prayer that be might pass the
gate. He did not. He stopped and
looked up at our house. Hes the es-
capped patient" I moaned- Hes de-
liberating whether he'll come here or 80
on farther. Heavens. he's coming inr'
There was no man In the house. and
I simply must meet him. l sat per
fectly still while be came mp the walk.
my heart wildly beating. had read
stories Of persons turning away insane
persons by GOODNESS and strategy. bat
I didn't fnd any GOODNESS in myself.
and. as for strategy. was incapable
Of carrying on even an ordinary con-
versation with the man. By the time
he reached the piazza saw Wild
eyed creature with 6ery red hair and
atmospheric disturbances similar to
heat waves emanating from bis 6n-
ger ends. Indeed. had looked at
him through dancing water or an i'm
perfect window pane be couldn't have
appeared more terrible. He said some
thing to me. but l had no idea what
It was. except that It was question.
Go on" said-"oh. 60 on. They're
after you! just had telephone from
them asking II we had seen you. As
you value your freedom. go!"
He stood looking at me. Was he go
Ing to spring upon me or would he
with that cunning often to be found
in persons OF his kind attempt to out
wit me 30 that he could effect an en-
trance into the house and murder US
all without our being able to call for
helpy
"You can't come inw continued ex-
citedly. "Oh. go on. Don't stop a
moment You'll be captured Please
CO."
The man turned and. without q word.
retraced his steps. maintained my
position until l had seen him out Of
the gate, then staggered into the
house. sank on lounge. and that's
the last l knew till l saw the maid
sprinkling my face with water.
Ashamed Of my weakness. I soon
arose and BY keeping smelling salts
continually at my nostrils managed to
get upstairs to my room. In the course
Of an hour the maid knocked at my
door and said my brother had come
was surprised at this. for he had
written that he would be with us on
Saturday afternoon. and It was now
Friday. was so ashamed Of my terror
at the approach Of the lunatic-Henry
had no respect for my timidity-that
! resolved not to say anything about
It With the smelling salts in my
hand. went down into the living
room.
Oh. my goodness gracious! Am
mad. or are my eyes askew? There.
beside Henry. stands the maniac!
What the dickens did you mean.
Edith. BY treating Mr.. Trask - you
did awhile ago? I missed the train.
and be came on without me. only to
be turned away by you. Were you
crazyT
N-n-o. b-but thought be was"
Henry was very angry. but bis friend
soothingly said that doubtless had an
explanation. gave It. A sickly smile
gradually overspread the features Of
both the men. and. a. for me. ran
up to my room and locked the door. and
they didn't get me out Of 1t Til the
next morning. When came down to
| breakfast Henry and Mr.. Trask were