The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-31
By SADIE OLCOTT

1liIlt W slS al uISCuSSltu btlNtpli Tie
two doctors as TO what would be con
sidered impossible, at the end of Whicli
4 bet of ten dollars was made between
them, the money to be spent on q din
ner. that Doctor Meriweather would
get himself locked up for insanity
When he was ready for the trial he no
tilted Doctor Hotchkiss to be at q Ger,
tain place on n certain day and hour
that he might see for himself that tn
bet was won fairly.
a few days later Doctor Meriweather
stood on the sidewalk of compare
lively unfrequented street, and Doctor
IIotchkss sat on the porch of an III
occupied house within few yards Of
him. Presently a woman came b
pushing a baby carriage. Meriweathcr
accosted her.
You haven't seen a house going b.
here lately, have you:" he asked
Tho woman looked at him with q
puzzled expression.
a house," she repeated.
Yes, small frame house, painted
gray, green blinds, lace curtains, pore
in front and small addition in rear"
The woman instinctively placed her
self between the doctor and her child,
and went on-slowly till she had got
some distance from him, then as rap
idly rs she could 90, fear evidently
squirting her on.
The next passer was man, of be
nevolent cast Of confidence Doctor
! Meriweathor accosted him.
My friend" he said, have YOU seen
J a woman and a couple of children 60
by here?'
no, have not, sir" said the mar
politely, pausing to learn If he could
| be of service.
They were riding; riding in a house
painted gray"
You mean in an auto or q carria &c"
said the gentleman.
NO, ! don't: l mean house n
gray house, With green blinds ana lace
| curtains in the windows"
The mans face changed from be-
nevolent TO a serious expression.
The woman" the doctor continued,
was trying to keep the children quiet,
but there WAS nothing to get excited
about; the house WAS not running
away; ii vas going yer- slowly"
Il am afraid l can't assist You in
finding these persons. my friend" said
the gentleman. "Good-day sir" And
he passed on. Doctor HotchkiSs heard
him mutter: Poor fellow"
I sec Your game said Hotchkiss tc
Meriweather, "but YOU can't get your
self put in bedlam in that way; the
world is cold; they'll all leave YOU t.
take care OF yourself. even if you or,
mad"
Wait" was Meriweather's reply.
The next person was an elderly lady
Meriweather put the usual questions
Like the last person he had tackled
She supposed that he meant some sor
Of a vehicle; but he corrected her, ant
added that he was fearful that tho oc
cupants of the house might be burned
alive, since the chimney was shakey.
The woman seemed Immediately t,
take deep interest in one who hat
e evidently lost his reason. She asket
? him if he would not go with her to
I place where he would have attention
: Madam" he replied, you think m
= crazy. | am perfectly sane"
!, The woman passed on, shaking he
i | head negatively.
Doctor Meriweather was beginnin
! % fear he would lose his bet, when h
u saw Il policeman coming.
e | ara ,-O,, hove
he cop authoritatively.
: Waiting for some people to com
: by. riding in frame house."
T.ou're the man I've heard abou
from several persons Come alon.
Is not my business 70 leave such 4
rou loose You might hurt some one.
L Meriweather protested that he wa
perfectly sane, but policemen are use
20 all sorts of stories from those the
. axe off the street, and led him ava,
: alling = ''black maria" he put tn
I loctor in it and drove him to an il
l. ane asylum. Hotchkiss called q ca
: nj followed. When his friend wa
: aiken into an asylum and was exam
> ned by the doctor in charge, Hotel
: ISIS was present, Dut SAD n0tni1
I inally Meriweather was told he wonl
II held for further examination.
"That1l do" said Hotchkiss 'You'y
ron the bet" and he told the story
ow Meriwcather had done it, an
roved the identity Of himself and h
he lend rs recent graduates of the Co
le ~e Of Physicians.
y Meriweather had learned that a pc
" Il had been granted to move hou;
lie r0ugh the street on which he ha
ID ken his stand, and that the fami
Is ould remain in 1t during the remov
IS The house doctor was invited to pa
e ,e Of the dinner to be given by Il
c lner of the bet.
o. Silence is golden, yet some people k'