Can Walk only when Asleep

Bernardus Bennett , No. 24 Flushing Avenue, Jamaica, is a helpless paralytic when awake.

Asleep, he has full control of his limbs, although he has no consciousness of it.

There is not the slightest doubt about it. Even the colored servant, who first saw the phenomenon and ran screaming from the house at the strange apparition of Mr. Bennett sitting by the kitchen stove fully dressed in clothes he had not worn in years, now believes.

Mrs. Bennett knows that it is true, and so does her daughter Helen, although they would not believe their eyes until they all saw Mr. Bennett at the same time.

Even then the uncanniness of it made them shiver. They cannot explain it any more than the doctors, and the doctors have devoted much attention to the problem.

The family calls it a miracle, and that is as good an explanation as has been offered. Thousands of people about Jamaica who have known Mr. Bennett for years are still in doubt. He was born in Queens, L. I., and went to live in Jamaica fifty years ago.

The stroke of paralysis which came upon him more than twenty years ago was severe. It sent him to his bed, absolutely helpless. During all this time he has been unable to stand on his feet. The physicians had told him there was no chance for his recovery

When a man spends twenty years on a "mattress grave" he expects to end his life there. But Mr. Bennett has never given up hope. His clothing was always kept in a closet near his bed, although no one dreamed that he could ever wear it again.

A few mornings ago the colored servant saw Mr. Bennett, fully dressed, sitting beside the kitchen stove. She lifted her voice, thinking she had seen a ghost. Mrs. Bennett and her daughter were summoned.

Mrs. Bennett spoke to her husband. He did not answer. After a half hour he walked upstairs and undressed himself without assistance.

When he woke he was absolutely helpless again. He became angry when they told him what he had done, declaring that they were making fun of him. When they persuaded him to try to use his limbs he could not.

The paralytic had become a somnambulist. The doctors and family are wondering what will be the next manifestation.—New York World.

The Advocate says: "Do not keep company with any sin. It may surprise thee as an enemy sometimes, but let it not lodge with thee as a friend."

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