Catoctin clarion., 1923-03-15
The Asylum
Concert
) . = 40 ~N'~~~f~~
By CLARA DELAFIELD

| 1ne annual cOuctTt III Tie Stdlc uSy
lum had been q great success. Scores
of sane guests had mingled with the
inmates and listened to the perform
ance. Nothing untoward had happened,
and if the second violin had been just
tritle erratic nobody could reasonably
take exception to that.
After the national anthem had been
played, and it had grown darlA two
men found themselves in friendly
conversation on the lawn.
~ believe have the pleasure of hav-
ing made your acquaintance at some
| Iime." said one of them. 81 am Gov
ernor Jenkins"
''Dellghted to have met you, gov
ernor," responded the other cordially.
~ am District Attorney Smith,"
every pleased, I'm sure" said the
first man, They shook hands.
We'll, governor, what do you think
| Of the proceedingsi" asked the dis
] trict attorney.
every fine, very fine" answered the
| governor. There's no scandal in this
Institution, anyone can see that, though
! ! haven't had time to go all through
| the buildings yet. Would you care to
accompany me on my tOurT
"No, no." answered the other hastily.
do you know think 1t would upset
me to see the scenes and sights of the
padded rooms"
"Why, my dear fellow, you're clean
out of date. They don't have padded
rooms nowadays" replied Governor
jenkins. 1--WE rely entirely on moral
suasion and little croton oil upon oc,
casions., Why, hasn't it occurred to
you what a simple matter 1t would be
for any determined lunatic to get pos
session of some visitors card Of ad-
mission and calmly walk out with the
crOwd?'
"Yes, yes" replied the other. "It's a
tribute to your institution, governor,
that nothing of the sort occurs"
=. "Oh, dear me, no." answered the
governor Here's the superintendent.
Hello, Harry Allow me. to present to
you my friend, District Attorney
Smith,"
PLEASED to meet you, I'm sure"
said the superintendent, extending a
hand to the other, who took 1t little
gingerly.
"Well, I'll have to be going" said the
district attorney, with rather forced
jocoseness. "An important appoint
ment about that Edridse case. You
going my way. governorT
"Well, as far as the gate, anyhow"
answered Governor jenkins. 1--WE were
paying tribute to your institution,
Mr.. Superintendent. Everything was a
huge success tonight"
I'm sure Pm very grateful to you,"
replied the superintendent.
But, you know, II makes one feel
creepy, being in place like this" said
the district attorney. Don't you know
that eerie feeling that one may pos
sibly actually be an insane patient and
not know it?'
The stream Of visitors was pouring
out, each passing under the quick,
silent scrutiny of guard. The super.
intendent stopped at the gate and
faced him. =
"Yes I know that feeling he an
swered nervously.
A man stepped quietly forward.
"Well, boys, been enjoying yourselves"
he asked. Closing time in five minutes.
You'd better get back to your rooms
sharp, or therell be punishment tomor-
row."
The district attorney glanced at the
two others in sudden alarm. He had
suspected the governor. but he had
never dreamed that the superin-
tendent. -,
"why, I'm Governor Jenkins |" ex.
claimed his companion.
The newcomer smiled. "Why, of
course my dear governor" he an
swered, laying hand fraternally upon
his shoulder. 'But the executive man.
sion has been cleaned and swept, and
we are awaiting your return" .
The district attorney stepped for
ward and confronted him. "See here,
you know I'm a visitor" he said. "Im
District Attorney Smith. Il"
"Why, bless my soul, my old friend
Mr.. Smith! I" exclaimed the other,
wringing his hand. eve, were just
looking for you, Mr.. Smith. There's an
important case comes up-most Inn
portant. You just come back with the
governor and our friend here, and I'll
get you the papers. ="
"That'll do. Harryl Don't be late
for roll CALL" said the superintendent.
The newcomer, with a strange, apollo
getic murmur, suddenly disappeared.
Smith and jenkins stared at each
other.
"Aren't you-aren't you-r
"rnsane?s No. Aren't you9"
"Good God" hurst out the district
attorney, fall this sort Of thing makes
one doubt his own nationality"
"Yes," said the superintendent, I'VE
find our guards are apt to go az mad
as our patients, Goodnight gentle-
men,"
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Al