Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1875 — An Extraordinary Case of Somnambulism. [ARTICLE]

An Extraordinary Case of Somnambulism.

A curious and very amusing incident recently occurred at the residence of our friend, M. J. Townley, Esq. It is generally known that Mell takes special pride in the fine pigs of which he is the owner, and for whose accommodation he has erected comfortable quarters a hundred yards or so in the rear of his dwelling-nouse. A few nights ago the family was aroused by a terrible commotion among the pigs, and of course Mell rushed impetuously to the rescue of his pets, hardly expecting, however, the denouement that was so near at hand. It appears that a young lady member of the family is a somnambulist, and upon the night in question dreamed that a pitiless storm was beating down upon the pigs, and, sharing the solicitude of her Uncle Mell, she considered it her duty to go promptly to their relief. Though sound asleep, she arose from the bed, went out to the pig quarters, and, taking a pig in her arms, was rapidly making her way with it to the house. Mell could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyes when he was confronted with the spectacle of a lady, clad in peerless white, with a pig tightly clasped in her arms, and the pig squealing as loudly aud vociferously as its lungs would permit! The situation,however, quickly dashed across liis mind, and he breathlessly exclaimed: “Why, 8., what are you doing with that pig?” To w hich the young lady replied: “Grandma told me to bring it in out of the rain;” and on she went toward the house with the pig. With considerable difficulty the young lady was awakened, and after a hearty laugh all around at her expense over the ludicrousness of the occurrence, all went back to bed and slept without further disturbance morning light appeared.—Chamois (Mo.) Leader.