The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-05-19
.VTSCEEEsz.S'EOCS.
From the Nep Orleans PicGyune.
MR.. SIMPSONS HOUSE.

"Once upon time queer old fellow
named Smith, started from Southern city
upon a pedestrian excursion of about one
hundred miles. lie was no, rerY old
fellow, either. fle was about forty years
older than he was when born. THIS MIR |
Smith was not connected with the John /
Smith family in the most remote degree
was man of many peculiarlties. II abso-
lutte stupidity did not form prominent tran
in his character, it was quality which We
nv much resembled stupidity, and nigh,
easily be mistaken for it, by al least one
half the world. lie had always manifested
a singular abstraction, generally described
as absence Of mind. and would frequently
roam about the streets an entire day with
out recognizing one Of his numerous friends,
apparently without being aware Of the ma
ture of his movements.
This was Mr.. Smith We were saying
that Mr.. Smith started upon journey, on
the "ten ,oed machine spoken of in John
Bull. After travelling few miles our pc
destrian felt somewhat thirsty, and called
at q small es,ablishmrnt--whlch looked as
though it was Just about half iaVern-ior
q drink. A good nalured young fellow
waited upon him, brought his brandy and
water, and, IN addition, furnished him with
a Bit of bread and cheese. AL this was
decidedly welcome aud refreshing. After
Mr.. Smith had quenched his thirst and sat
isfed the Sigh! cravings OF appetite, he re.
commenced his trayele As he left the
city tolerably early in the morning, re
thought he might walk two or three hours
longer before he stopped for dinner. His
road see.ccd 20 be yery level, and was skirt
ed on ole side with an uncommon!y high
fence. On be footed it for about three
hours longer, until glance at the position
of the sun satisfied him he had better Sc.
cure his MONDAY meal. He called al a
small dwelling by the roadside, and the fol-
lowing dialogue ensued between him and
boy standing in the doorway:
"Who lives here, my son!'
{" Mr.. Sampson, sir"
O. Do you keep tayern!"
"Why, sorter, aud sorter moi! We &C.
commoiate people sometimes"
"Can yet dinner here y
"Yes, slt--walk ln."
Our traveller walked 10, and in the
course of bali an hour, nice, comfortable
dinner, smoking hot, was set before hum
He ate, drank, paid his moderate bill, Pu'
on bis hat, took bis walking stick and pro-
ceeded upon his journey. Before no re-
newed his labors however, he took the pre-
caution to ell his pipe carefully, and 10 light
it. Fresh aud vigorous as ever, he then
pushed ahead. As the sun crep! down TO-
wards the horizon, Mr.. Smith began Il
feel some degree Of WEAKNESS stealing over
him, bu, be nevertheless perseyered until II
was quite dusk. Finding himself opposite
a small house by the roadside, he enquireC
ola youth seated upon the threshold
Who lives here, my son"
"Mr. Sampson, SIR"
"Can | get supper and lodging here TO
night. by paying for It y
Certainly, sir-waik IT,"
Mr.. Smith crossed the threshold, Ian
aside his hat and cane, drank cup OF te
and ate two or three slices Of toas!--rea
four chapters 10 " Fox's Book Of Martyrs,
which he found upon the manielpiece, an
went to bed. When he awoke 10 tn
morning. the sun was jus, showing II
broad red disc above the tree tops. Ii
found the breakfast upon The lobe ~a;:;S
for him. lie finished the morning mea
settled his account, and commenced hi
travels the second day. Oae thing, simply
attracted his obseryaiiou-th road was ex
ceedingly aniform-but the fact excited D
surprise. AT noon he called a, snug Iii
tie house, aud asked lad who was gain
out of window
"Who lives here, my sonl"
" Mr.. Sampson, sir"
Our traveller paused a moment, refecte
aud seemed 10 he coming over some nan
or circumstance ia bis mind at last b
said
aAre there many Of The name Of Sam
son on this road, my son r.
"a good many" said The by
al thought SO. CAM get dinner here
Certainly, sir--salk ir. !"