human
Once when he attended a lecture he fell as he came down stairs, and struck his head such a violent blow that he never was the same boy afterwards, but gradually lost his mind. That has been about twelve years ago.
gpt
I took him to the almshouse, where he was under Dr. Robert Smith's care for a month. Then his mother and his sister _here_ visited every day. [Here Herriges pointed to the woman who had positively said she was only a _neighbor_.]
human
At last, to please mother, I brought him home and called in Doctor Gardner, who said, after a long attendance, that he could do him no good. I have devoted my life to that boy, and washed him every day, and attended to his wants whenever I attended to my own, and combed and fed him.
gpt
Then how is it that his hair and beard have become just like felted cloth with filth, and how is it that he is covered from head to foot with vermin?
human
What! how! exclaimed Herriges with a decidedly mixed expression on his countenance.
gpt
Was there vermin? Well I don't know how he got them. I never saw any that's certain.
human
Was he so very violent that you kept him locked up in this cage?
gpt
Oh, no, John was always as gentle as a lamb.
human
Then what are those iron and wooden slats at that window for?
gpt
Oh, well, we were afraid that he might take a fit some time and get into the street and say strange things.
human
Now you will do me justice, won't you? You see they say I have kept him imprisoned in this way to get his share of the property. He has not got a cent in the world, for this house is only the property of mother during her life time. It is all she has and when she dies it will have to be divided among the whole six of us.
gpt
But look here, interrupted a gentlemen of the party,
human
Oh, those are all my own, answered he.
gpt
I worked and earned them myself.
human
But you told me this morning that your father died in Oregon and left all his property to you alone. How do you make that agree with this last statement?
gpt
Don't interrupt me. You confuse me, and put me out. I am trying to tell a straight story and you throw me out. I'll tell you again exactly all.