The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-08-04
The "Maniacs"
BY HAROLD SINCLAIRE
20. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

held was a model institution. 1t rep
resented the last word that had been
uttered upon the subject of the men,
tally deranged. In fact, when it cele-
brated its fifth anniversary by garden
party, the governor, the mayor and
score of distinguished guests, their
wives and their friends, walked freely
within the walls.
Thus it happened that two men met
In one of the spacious corridors, and,
made friendly by the festival occasion
and the dinner, at which visitors,
guards and patients had sat down to-
gether, entered into conversation.
''This is a beautiful place." said the
elder, a dignified gentleman wearing a
frock coat and carrying a silk hat in
his hand Though I am mainly re-
sponsible for it's having been created,
/ confess that l am astonished at the
perfection Of all the details'
The other shot a keen glance at
him. "You were responsible, sir?" he
asked.
Yes said the other. # am, Gov
ernor Pike, you know"
Pm very pleased to make your &C.
quaintance, governor" said the other,
grapsing the speakers hand warmly.
Il was late for the dinner or I should
have met you before. l am the mayor
or POttsfeld Arthur Jenkinson
Grubbe.'
The first man retreated step. "In-
deed! Mr. Mayor, l am delighted to
meet you, even here,"" he said, with
a forced smile. "Shall we 20 out
side?"
I'D prefer to show you something
OF our arrangements first, governor"
the other responded.
II suppose you have some interest
ing cases here" the governor said, with
a display of interest. MANY of them
doubtless think that they are sane."
Most Of them do" answered the
other "And some Of them imagine
that they are celebrities confined for
political reasons. For instance, out
on the lawn at this moment there is
man engaged in telling his friends
and acquaintance that he is Mayor
Arthur Jenkinson Grubbe"
But he isn't" stammered the gov
ernor. "You are the mayor and no.
body else can claim the title. BY the
way, aren't you related to King George
of England?"
Arthur Jenkinson Grubbe stood still
and stared at the other in amazement.
How did you know that?" he whis-
pered huskily. Eyes, I'm his half
brother. And to be frank with you,"
he continued, II am also half-brother
OF King Ferdinand Of Bulgaria.
"You amaze mer' responded Gov
ernor Pike.
"And you-you look as though you
were of kingly BLOOD" the mayor con-
tinued, with a searching glance
eyes, yes" said Governor Pike hast
lily. THAT is, queenly. l am a sister
by marriage Of the princess Of Monte:
negro"
"Why, that's extraordinary" said the
mayor. do you know, there is lady
in one of these apartments who claims
to be the princess of Montenegro her.
SELF"
MY sister," cried the governor "You
amaze mel"
"But to be frank with you, governor,
I am afraid a dreadful error has been
made. You must remedy it,"
81 wish could" the governor sighed,
looking backward. II think" he STAN
mered, chat my uncle-in-law, the duke
Of Saratoga, who is outside, can help
in this"
mo, no. protested the mayor, TAX
ing the governor by the arm. 'She
is in here reading at this moment.
Here we are"
The outer door of the room at which
they stopped, slightly ajar, disclosed
an inner door within, which stood wide
open, and heavily barred window
looking out upon the lawn. The two
men passed through the outer door
and stopped. Suddenly the mayor gave
the governor a violent push which
sent him staggering upon the floor,
slammed the inner door, and pulled
at the handle of the outer one.
1t was locked. 1t had closed be-
hind them.
Even as the mayor realized this the
inner door opened and the governor,
white with rage, sprang upon his as
sailant, at the same time shreking at
the top Of his voice. They fought all
over the room.
"Help! Help" yelled the governor,
and the mayor re-echoed his shouts.
They heard answering cries from the
lawn beneath.
"Governor Pike!" shouted one, hur-
rying toward him. my dear governor,
what has occurred? Who is this man?"
he continued turning upon his con-
frere angrily. "How did he get here?
told you to keep the violent patients
In the padded cells all day."
'But-but this is the mayor. Mr..
Arthur Jenkinson Grubbe," shouted the
other. 'This is hfdeous mistake,
sir"
''But why did he assault the cover
nor, then? How did he get him here"
HE told me he was the sister of
the princess of Montenegro" said the
mayor sullenly, as he began busting
his clothes.
'You told me you were a half-broth-
er of King George"
ITO humor you, sir; to humor YOU
! thought you were in the primary
stage of acute MANIA"
"Ah, well,' said the governor,
stretching out his hand, which the
other took reluctantly, II believe in
open primaries now. Don't let that