tried to find some
one to listen to him, but the moment he would venture near any one about
the house, they would fly away at lightning speed.

The landlady asked how long he had been so and suggested calling a
physician, or having him sent to an asylum.

After the matter had gone as far as I thought it should, and farther
than I had any idea it ever would go, I began to explain that it was
only a joke. But again the thing had gone too far. My dining-room girls
immediately quit work, declaring that I couldn't fool them, as they had
seen enough.

With considerable difficulty I satisfied the landlady that it was only a
joke.

It then became necessary to satisfy her that the extensive improvements
on the house had been a good investment. While up stairs showing her the
changes I had made, I noticed the Doctor's door was opened, and that he
was inside.

Suddenly we came to a room directly opposite his, which I had had
papered and re-furnished, and she remarked that it suited her exactly,
and that it showed good taste. I said, in a loud tone:

"Well, landlady, the Doctor suggested this, and I have depended largely
on his taste and judgment."

We then stepped to the Doctor's door, and were invited in. She aided me
as much as possible in keeping up a conversation, and complimented the
Doctor on his exquisite taste.

He was immensely pleased, and after she left I remained with him a few
moments.

He jumped up and closed the door, and was about to give me a
tongue-lashing, when I anticipated him by saying:

"Doctor, don't it beat thunder about that girl? Great Heavens! Had I
known she was just out of the Asylum I never would have hired her. And
isn't it strange that she twits every one else of being crazy? I
wouldn't have her around ten days for the price of the hotel. But you
will not be bothered any more, Doctor, for she is gone."

He gave me a very searching look, and said:

"Johnston, was it she or I that was considered crazy?"

"Well Doctor, I understand that she was crazy and you followed her down
cellar to prevent her from committing suicide. At least that is the way
the matter has been represented to the landlady and me."

"Well, I understood," said he seeming much relieved, "that they
considered me crazy."

"O, my! Doctor! the landlady considers you one of the bravest and most
courageous men she ever saw, to follow a raving maniac down cellar the
way you did."

He said he was really surprised to l