THE MANIAC'S APPEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 586, 25 November 1871, Page 2

THE MANIAC'S APPEAL.

BY HiRUY HAZLETON. .:■-, William; Ciust was called a man. of the world, because he was fashionable and gay. There appeared to be much of mere surface about him, but this might bo acoun.fced tor from the fact that he had usually mingled in that society where surface is everything—where the heart is "seldom seen, and where che nobler impulses of tnim-aro not often called into action—the first circles of society. Such people seldom come in contact with the poor, where the most worthy are often found, and from whence comes our true heroes and heroines; and so they do not often learn the meaning of the word sympathy — that emotion which is only fully developed by misfortunes and suffering. And'yet William Crist was a sy-mpa. thetic man, full of heart, and of noble j principles. Often had he turned away | from the gaieties of life, and often had he felt an ardent yearning for, he scarcely | knew what; and yet something seemed jto whispor that it was companionship— ! love. He had eagerly sought some living ' gum which he could wear within his soul, ' and many a time had he felt the full force j of Byron's words : j " With pleasure drugged, lie almost longed for woo." But he was not drugged with pleasure, j he was only satiated with, fulsome flattery nnd fawnings. Once a bright-eyed maiden i crossed his path., and he felt an ua'usual fluttering of the heart; but she ! vanished almost us soon as seen, and then ] he laughed at his own vision of love—and , ! all others—love for an unknown, and \ evidently a poor girl. But then there was i something so sad in the expression of her face, and so very melancholy in the deep 1 blue eyes which had rested only for an instant upon his own. And still more he laughed, when, day after day, he found himself in the neighbourhood where he had met her.hoping to meet her once more But months passed away and she was forgotten; or, if remembered at all, only as some passing mortal he had seen in a dream. Crist had passed the-greater portion of a night where the beauty of thq metropolis had assembled for pleasure,as they termed j that fashionable ball, and more than ' ever had he become disgusted with the simpering, thoughtless.heartless fawners, by which he had been surrounded. ! Again, at his home, he found it impos- ! sible so sleep, and. starting up from the i couch whereon lie had been lying, he ! exclaimed : "I must do something to make me j more contented with my lot; and what shall it be? I have it; I'll seek for ! contrast. I'll visit the lowest districts in I the city, gaze upon the pictures of misery ! presented there, and perhaps visit the ; prisons, where many are cast for the i worst of all crimes, poverty; and then, perhaps, returning to my home, 1 may find contentment in the thought that such ' poor creatures would even sell their souls i for luxuries like those by which I am ! surrounded." Dressing himself, he sallied forth, i{ scarcely knowing or caring whither he : bent his steps. He entered the first j sireet-car lie snv approaching, and iur a i few moments he gave himself up to I thought. Amused at length, he found lv: Imd ridden up-town, and he MBfcLtcii, with Lin'intention of returning, ]Wu!it th'it moment the dismal vehicle for ilie transfer of criminals from the Tombs to tiie Island passed him. lie heard boisterous laughter within, and he also thought i.at he detected groaniogs, So he mechanically followed alter, and it was not long before he stood by the river's batik, while directly opposite .w,ts the dreary prison. To visit that institution was now his purpose, but at that moment an aqnaintnnco joined him who had business at the Asylum for the Insane, and Prist ut once resolved to bear him cqrnpany. The institution, was soon roucUul, and in passing through ib, the attention of the young man was..-attit acted by a face that seemed strangely familiar. He paused and guzed at the maniac, trying to recall where he had aecn her. For some time he was unable lo do so, and was abo.ut to turn, away when it flashed through his mind that it wss <"the very young girl he had met months belore, and of whom he had thought so much. Yes, there could be no mistake. 'J here was the same sad face, although much paler; the same melancholy eyes, 'but now:with a tinge'of wilduess-about them, and her form was considerably emaciated. Turning to the attendant, he asked : " Who is that young girl?" " " 0," was the reply, "her name is Baker—Lora Baker. A very interesting case, Mr. (Jrist. bhe is perfectly harmless, but has strange fancies. Of course, like all others, she thinks that she i^ not insane ; but hers is a clear case of madness. Her uncle, who is a respectable physician in the cit3 r, and her only guardian, was compelled to place her here, but it almost broke his heart—poor man." The eyes of-the maniac and those of Crist met, nnd she turned upon him such i an appealing look that it went to his heart and caused him to tremble. Then the young creature turned away and covered her face with her hands. " Will you1 permit to hold a brief conversation with her?" asked (Jrist ot the guard. " Certainly—as long 88 you please."_ Approaching her and never doubting but that s|io was really mad, he asked, in kind tones : '' JLora, are you not pleased that I have visited you?" She turned, looked; hi,in i/ill in the faco

for a moment, and then replied : " Sir, it Jfiayj.be possible thai I am mad, for T have no recollection of having [met you before, and-yefc you call mo by name, and say you cviiii1 (o visit me.' Tlierc wa^ lib tiffing of f!ie maniac in that expression, and afc once tin uncontrollable dt'sdre Look possession of Crist td converse with Jut' fir. irrt'i',"'* imd Lo learn from her own lij>s lio^plhinu oijher history. He invited Jtev tcj sUsp near air open w,indow, and she readily consented. (>=iice there, no me woulq lien1 the words spok(]U, an 1 he s:ii;! i " " Lora, 1 !i:yy6 iioaf'd reporis fo the efTcct tlmt persons liave been 'itnjusHy derained iv. this place, although I cau scarcely credit thei^. If you are willin;.:,' i should like to hoar something of your freru your own lip^. l "Uo you know me i Have ire ovor met before P" "Lora, 1 came here by chance, and

here I first learned your name. The confession may appear a singular one, but I/.will tell you-that ;C met you in the street sometime sinceVrand tliat I have always ruiaembei'edyou." Tin; hofc.bloodjnbuiited into the pale cheeks of the'priW girl, but she said, and herher voice trembled visibly : .'•lf yrt;i;. mft t aie in New York, it must have" been at least six months ago."

"It was."

" You never saw me but that once ?"

'• Never but that once."

" You hare remembered me since, and recognized mfl-wheti you saw mS here?" " You speak correctly." "It is strange —very strange. And do you recollect where you met m>i ?" •' Perfectly well—it was "in IvlcDougalstreet."

" Yes, and near my home—home ! O, God, my home," and the tears sprang into her eyes. Crist was touched, and gently taking her hand, he said :

" Come, Lora, tell me all about yourself." "O, you would not believe me, bi^t think me mad. t have told my story to several in the hope that they would aid me. They listen to the maniac's appeal, but go hence and forget me, for they think my words are but the fancies of a diseased brain."

" But I will help you if I can. Tndeed I am inclined to think that you are as sane as myself." " I thank you for the promise, and I will try once more. I had made up my mind to close my lips for ever, and die here, but something in your manner has revived hope afresh in ray heart 4; and I will tell you all, think of my words as

you may. "You may speak in confidence, and I hope you will do so without restraint." "I will be as brief as possible. I distinctly recollect ray parents, although' I was young when they were taken awaj r from me by death, fpuj home jvas one ot luxury. I was an only child, and in dying my parents committed me to the care of my uncle—my father's brother. My home was no longer a h.om,c pf, luxury, and my treatment was hot lemd; so I grew up a sad, almost broken-hearted girl. At the age" »(# sixteen my uncle resolved that I should marry his son. The union, was hateful to me, but I felt myself doomed, and dare not refuse. But death claimed the young man, and this gave mo some relief. "My uncle now became more harsh than ever, and at length he brought me some written documents, which he requested me to sign. I saw that the documents bore the signatures of witnesses, although none were present, and I did not know the signers. I began to read the paper, but my uncle checked me, and then 1 refused to sign. He struck me a violent blow, and then, dragging me to an attic room, locked me in."

" Lora, would you recognize that paper if you should see ita^ain?" " Yes, readily. And it was stained with one single drop of blood which fell upon it, drawn from me by the blow I received."

" VY'uTI, youwcre locked in an attic — what then!"''

"It was totally dark when I was placed there, and L sobbed the night long.. When morning came, I saw hideous grinning monsters around me, and I was almost 'dumb with terror. 'Those- monsters wore the -leu tons of hunaan beings and of animals, my uncle %,cii\g apliy-sii-iun, having placed them there. For three days and nigbfcs 1 remair.rd in that prison, and my uncle visited me several times. He brought me scanty food, and at each visit he importuned me to "sign the paper, but I refused untii_ I should bo made aquainted with the contents. Angered beyond nvasure ,at my obstinacy, he left me at length, swearing a fearful oath that I should reman th^-ro and starve."

" Were there uot other members of the household?"

'■ No one but a servant, who was never permitted to visit the upper apartments." " Well, continue youi recital."

" Desperation seized me, and I resolved to escape and fly, I knew not whither, but any pl^ce away from him—my cruel uncle. lat once set nbout effecting my escape, in a few hours I had made-an opening in the roof, and I passed through it. I sped along on the top of the buildings, and at the extreme end of the block, I found an open scuttle. I descended into the room below. It -was late lat night, but I heard sounds of voices below me, and I waited until the sounds were still. Then I tried to make my way into the street, but I was discovered and seized. The word ' thief" was hissed in my ears, and then an ollicer was called. I was dragged along paralyzed with fright, and 1 have a; dim' recollection of hearing the iron door of a prison cell cjose upon me, when I fell fainting', to the floor. '~' ';."• „

';"But morning came, and. I was taken before the judges. My trial was brief, and I received my sentence. I tried to tell my story, and I found listeners, but I was horrified to see my uncle enter. Ho held-a brief conversation.. with the judge, and then two men came and examined me. Breathlessly I waited to see what turn matters would take, and then I i'uund that I had been pronounced insane, and that a committal to this asylum had been made out.

"I did not know the 'horrors1 of;this place, and as it did not bear the name of prison, I felt, a relief, so I said nothing, and hero they brought me." ■',My poor child." ''I soon learned, however, that of which I had never before dreamed, that i was iv prison, and oue where my agony was rendered complete. For many long viT.?!ts I remained liere, and at length that which seimied r an opportunity to escape presented itself. I was left alone oufeido the buildine^ and. ran, for ; rth© water's side. L sootf^Sw that I was 'pur-sue,d,:-but ;fear and; hope!combined, gave mv" strength and "speed. 4 /'When! reached the river, I sawtha* it vras covered with ice, and I sprang ati once upon it, and"- still continued my flight. Gla'.ei -g beliiod I saw my ptusuers, and in my frantic energy 1 heeded not the danger belbro toe'j but; I soan plunged, headlpclg into ii«e water, for tli,e } ipu .e^to.^jied .only a] portion of the way across. " Then I knew I was drowning. Sweet music sounded in my ears, and beautiful visions werfcbefore my eyes. I felt that

I was nearing hoaven, and that I could see the glories on the other side, and I gave up all, for I was ready. " Some time after I awoke. Death had not come to my relief, for I vras in my cell, and before me I couli see the dreadful iron bars which held mo still a captive. I had been rescued from that which would have been my watery grave, and I Was still doomed to suffer upon the caith. But a terrible illness followed this event, ariel for many weeks I lay half unconscious of my situation. At times I prayed that a merciful God would take me to "himself, but my prayers w.ere not answorca. Perhaps He had Has own good purpose in'permitting me to still live." ■ i • i "-Poorerriid it wms f-t»afc you might, oe restored to happiness," " Sometime. I dared to hope so, bnfcali my dreamTngs of freedom arid joy had only terrible awaking. One after another listened to my story, even, as I have related it to you; and then hope would spring up anew in my koul, :\nd I would wait and pray, only to be plugged into despair deeper and darker than ever. "And now what more shall I tell you i I do not believe I am a maniac, but I fear I shall become one, "or die, if I remain in this place much longer. I do not fear death, but oh, I would like to die surrounded by sympathetic hearts— I would like io die ueav those who would bid me an affectionate "farewell, arid kiss my lips jusf; oace before they were quite cold and had ceased to murmur words of love and gratitude." ; , r " Lora, you. shall be free and nappy. Now, you may rely upon my promise, for I will not lose a moment's time till I have fulfilled'it. I must leave you now, but three days shall bring me" to your side again, and then your sorrows will be ended. Adieu!" t . ~Jt Crist extended his hands, -which-.the young girl siezed and kissed passionately, while hot tears fell upon them ; bufe she murmured a farewell word., and once more she was-left alone.

A^ the young man \ra3 retarg.;pg to the city lie revolved poor Lora's story over and over in hjs mind. There were moments when he was almost forced to believe he had only been listening to the chimera? of one demei.ted, for the narrative'appeared too romantic to bo real; but he had resolved on his course of action, and he had nut the least idea of hesitating in the matter. He had learned the ad : dress of the uncle, and to that he pro^ cceded. He did not enter, however, but passed oh to the other end of the block. Making inquiries at a residence there he found that the story of Lora's arrest was true.

He proceeded to the police court, and there another portion of hor story was confirmed, just as.she had related it to him. He also learned that it had been the uncle and two of his friends, (physicians or pretended physicians) who had pronounced; Lora insane, and upon their evidence she had been committed.

It is not necessary to follow the movements of young Crist for the next few hours. Suffice it to say, that be was busily engaged in arranging bis ■ plans, and that the hour of nine o'clock that evening found him 'at the uncle's door, '1 he old doctor himself answered the summons, and asking.the business of his visitor, the young man replied : " Dr. Baker, lam the frr;; J.-J" • ™:w% physician who h too poor v / • I a subject for dissection just at present, and he requires a human skeleton. You are an old and lamed, practitioner, and doubtless have many which are quite useless to you. If you have one you would dispose of I would pay you liberally for it." .-"-.■. " Humph! yes!" and the doctor held up the light he carried in his hand, and closely examined his visitor from head to foot. Then he said :

" Who are yon, youu£ man?" "My name is William Crist. You may have heard of my family, who are wealthy, and reside.in Lexington Avenue." " O yes—l recognize your face now. I know your father quite well. Walk in, young man,andvl will see what-I can do foi'-your friend.'' Crist followed the doctor to an apartment on the. second-floor and at the reau of tlie dwelling.'" Here'-ne was invited.to sit, and for a moment he felt a pang, of remorse for the treacherous Rame he was playing; but then came thougU-ts of poor Lora, and he felt that he was avtly rightjly. He had also time to study the t'ace of the uncle, and he was certain that he sjiw mirrored there almost every wild passion which could possibly have found lodgement in the breast of the arch fiend himself.

" Now young man," said the doctor at length, "if you will ajo with me I will phojv you'wlwt I hayp," •

The heart of Crist beat rapidly as he followed up one, two flights of stairs, and reached the attic. Was he here to fiud another ovidenee of the girl's sanity and her uncled crime ? Yes. A door was opened and he entered a small apartment. All around him hung ghastly spectres — eyeless sockets, gaping jaws, fleshless bones, aud extended fingers which appeared ready to clutch the intruders. Crist had never witnessed anything of the kind before, and he shuddered, ■with very horror while he thought of poor Lora and hei; imprisonment there. But he managed to remain calm. Once he glanced at the roof over liis head. There was no opening to be seen, but there had been one quite large enough for a human form to pass through ; but it had- been closed anew, as the fresh carpenter work plainly hhowed. Appearing notto notice this ho selected a skeleton, . spying that he would send for it the next; day, and then.both' proceeded to "the. apartment they had first entered, where; the. price of the purchase was fixed and; the* money paid. ■: 0■ : eGS A\ rith the..,doetor :Crist, now proceeded to the street door, preparatory,toloaving. It was opened, and instantly several dark' forms sprang into the hall-way. The light was dashed from the doctor's haads and all became total darkness. A smothered cry escaped the villain, but a firm hand clutdied him by the throat; and all sounds were hushed save the words ot one of the .party, who simply said : I ■-" " Bringthern along." Up the s tail's both the doctor arid Crist were taken, each firmly bound with cords. They were placed in* chairs, and £key saw their captors, yet saw but lit tie, t'ov the six ruffians were marked, and their featurew entirely concealed. Two o^

them took positions, each bi the side f the doctor and Crist; and.'kldW nJ, looking knives at their throii, they ga fd "If you are wise now, *)u ! att(-rnpt to give the alarm," ' 10

" Oli, I will be silent," noaned tU doctor, "and I hope Mr. >i ß fc {I{ T ' silent too," his face wearing v exnrp ooof absolute terror, as he spob. n " co this young dandy is nnaod Crist is he? Glad lie's here, alhomjh " didn't expect to find him. G<t diamoj n watch, and, no doubt, lots of nion™' Go in boys—vre'ro in luck,' and til" proceeded to strip Crist of hi-treasur ( Then the doctor was exmined, C.i nothing of value found on hisperson.'sav a key of the safe. A number of p'ape-\ were taken from it, and opend out upon \ a. table. They were closely examined I and then one of the robbers Slid: ' i ■-' PtshafcW — worth, nothing. ti ere j s will; of one Sherwood Baker'"fcaVimTfo- ! his daughter, Lora, all his pnperty, and this very house included. Ard here are Vac original deeds which proves that tiherwood Baker was the sole owner Here is a quitclaim deed, cade ois i n favour of -Dr. Baker. It is witnessed, but not signed by Lora, whose signature' is reces?arv to make it worth anything What's this? ); Why, there is a spot of blood iinon it!"

For an hour the robbers busied themselves in searching the house, and then they left it. After they had departed, Crist began tuggiag at the cords which bound him, and after a time lie managed to release himself. He then proceeded to unbind the doctor. "Shall I call the police now?" asked Crist. " 2s To—not yet. Let me see what the robbers have taken." . After a gewch, he continued : " —nothing but the papers. They did not find the money—luckily there was not a large amount here, as I have it all in the bank. You are the heaviest loser, Mr. Crist, for they cannot use the papers." We had better notifiy the police at once." " No—l dare not to night. Perhaps I will do so to-morrow; and yet a reward will bring back the documents." " But i shall notify the police, depend upon it, Dr. Baker," and rapidly Crist _ passed down the stairs and into the 'street. The next day a handsome carriage drove up before the Insane Asylum. It contained "William Crist and a noted attorney. A brief conversation was held with the keeper, a document placed inhis hands, and then Lora Baker was called. She came trembling forward, and as she recognized the young man she uttered a cry of joy and sprang to his side. "Free —free, ' were all the words spoken by Crist, but that was sufficient to open the floodgates of the poor girl's soul; but she .went iniong those who now ; knew all; and who deeply sympathized with her. Back to the city the whole party re« turned, nnd Lora was placed for safety at the home of Crist. But the work the young man had taken in hand v; as not yet over. It was not long after that he was jflgain at the door of Doctor Baker, and "tin's time he was accompanied by two officers, who were armed with a warrant for the srrest of the villain. The charge was made direct and pointed, and when the vrVetch heard it all, and knew that Lora was free, he uttered a wild cry and fell fainting on the floor. Consciousness soon returned, but with that consciousness reason appeared to have fled. He raved madly, made desperate attempts to take his own life, and in less than one week after he was taken from a prison cell to another, located in the very asylum sriiere he had hoped Lori had been doomed for life. Lora listened in wonder to the recital, but not until she had been, for some weeks, a happy wife. One evening she was presented to six, noble looking gentlemen, and her husband said: " Dariing, you now see before you the robbers of which I told you. Here is your father's will, and the deeds, the result of that robbing. My diamonds, TOajbch, and money' were returned to me soon after, they were taken-at my own home, and by these friends.

Old Doctor Baker died a raving maniao. — JS Tew York Mercury.