AN ALARMING CONDITION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1439, 25 July 1883, Page 2

AN ALARMING CONDITION.

A young American has just thought of a way of getting rid of a fiancee without incurring an action for breach of promise:—" Much anxiety prevails at Newtown, Connecticut, owing to'' the mysterious and alarming condition of a young man, by name Sherman W. Piatt, belonging to one of the most respected families of the place, who fell asleop in a rocking chair on last Christmas Day and has slept almost continuously since that time without uttering a word. Young Mr Piatt reposes in the chair with his eyes closed paying no attention to his mother, who ministers to him constantly, or to the numerous friends and curious acquaintances who call daily at his house. Twice a day he rouses from what seems to be .& sound slumber, and in a halfdazed fashion leaves his chair to stagger into an adjoining room where tbs family meals are served; but is fastidious in his appetite,.and will only eat delicacies, which, however, when properly cooked, he consumes freely. The doctors in the neighborhood admit, that they are completely baffled by. the case. Piatt was ; a bright active young man until this sleeping fit seized him.- He was to have been married in the .spring, but, does not; even recognise his intended'.bride when''she: calls upon him j and unless he can'be awakened the. wedding cannot, of course take place-. Her father and brothers have made every offort, without avail, to arouse him from his stupor, On one occasion they shook him so severely that his mother was extremely annoyed, and ordered them out of the room. When they reappeared on the following morning with a galvanic battery they were refused admittance to the house."