[Footnote A:_My Friend Will_, by C.F.  Lummis, A.C.  McClurg Co., Chicago.]

Recently I had a conversation with the former superintendent of a poor farm, which bears upon this subject in a practical way.  In relating some of his experiences he told of a “rough-neck”—­a term implying an ignorant man of rude, turbulent, quarrelsome disposition—­who had threatened to kill the foreman of the farm.  Owing to their irreconcilable differences the rough inmate decided to leave and so informed the superintendent, thus practically dismissing himself from the institution.  A year later he returned and asked to be re-admitted.  After a survey of the whole situation the superintendent decided that it was not wise to re-admit him, and that he would better secure a situation for him outside.  He offered to do so and the man left apparently satisfied.  Three days later he reappeared, entered the office with a loaded and cocked revolver held behind his back, and abruptly announced:  “I’ve come to blow out your brains.”  Before he could shoot the superintendent was upon him and a fierce struggle ensued for the possession of the weapon.  The superintendent at last took it away, secured help and handcuffed the would-be murderer.  Realizing that his act was the result of at least partial insanity, the was-to-be victim did not press the charge of murderous assault but allowed—­indeed urged that he be sent to the insane asylum where he now is.

Now this is the point I wish to make.  It is perfectly within the bounds of possibility that this man will some day be regarded as safely sane.  Yet it is well known by the awful experiences of many such cases that it is both possible and probable that during the months or years of his incarceration he will continue to harbor, even to feed and foster the bitter feeling, the hatred, perhaps, that led him to attempt the murder of the superintendent, and that on his release he will again attempt to carry out his nefarious and awful design.

What, then, should be the mental attitude of the superintendent and his family?  Ought they not to be worried?  I got the answer for my readers from this man, and it is so perfectly in accord with my own principles that I find great pleasure in recording it.  Said he: 

Don’t think for one moment that I minimize the possible danger.  The asylum physician who was familiar with the whole circumstances warned me not to rest in fancied security.  I have notified the proper officials that the man who attempted to murder me is not to be released either as cured or on parole without giving me sufficient notice.  I do not wish that he should be kept in the asylum a single day longer than is fully necessary, but before I allow him to be released I must be thoroughly satisfied that he has no murderous designs on me, and that he is truly and satisfactorily repentant for the attack he made when, ostensibly, he was mentally irresponsible.  I shall require that he be put on record as fully