The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-03-05
DESPERATION.

The following is passage from the laughable
tale of " Desperation, " one of the rich articles
which are embraced in the ~"literary remains OF
the late Willis Gaylord Clarke" 1t is only ne
cessary 10 premise that the writer Isl Philadelphia
student, who, after a stolen fortnight, amid the
gayities of a Washington "~season," finds himself
(through the remissness of a chum) at Baltimore
on his way home, without "A penny III his pocket
He stops at a fashionable hotel nevertheless,
where, after tarrying a day or two, he finally, a
the heel of a grand dinner, "omnes solus" in the
private apartment, danked with abundant cham
payne and Burgundy, resolves TO disclose all &c
the landlord. %Summoning n servant, he said:
"Ask the landlord to step up to my room, and
bring his bill"
He c~latters down stairs, g~iggling, and shortly
thereafter his master appeared. He entered
with a generous smile, that made me hope fol
the "besl his house afforded" and that, Just then
was credit.
elbow much do | owe your" said. He han.
ded me the bill with all the grace of private eX.
pectancy.
"Let me see-seventeen dollars. How very
re reasonable! Butmy dear sir, the most disagree
able part of the business is now TO be disclosed,
L SllCNC " NUN 1Ou lIlul II ll CSCAl, L an OuI
of money; but know by your philanthropic look
that you will be satisfied when | tell you that if
had it, | would give it to you with unqualified
pleasure. But you see my not having the change
by me is the reason | cannot do it, and | am sure
you will let the matter stand, and say no more
about it. | am a stranger 10 you, that's a fact
but in the place where ! came from, all my &C
quaintance knew me-, as easy as can be"
The landlord turned all colors. "Where dc
you live, any howl"
ain Washing-, should say Philadelphia
His eyes flashed with angry Disappointment
81 see how it is, Master; my opinion is that you
are a blackleg. You don't know where your
home is, you begin with Washington and then
drop it for Philadelphia; youmust pay your bill
''But | can't"
"Then III take your clothes; if | don't, blow
me tight"
"Scoundrel!" said l, rising bolt upright, "do
if you dare! do it! and leave the rest to me ~
There were no more words. He arose de
liberately, seized my hat, and my only inexpres
sibles, and walked down stairs.
Physicians say that two excitements cannot ex
list at the same time in one system. EXterna
circumstances drove away, almost Immediately
the confusion in my brain.
| rose and looked out of the window. The
snow was descending as | drummed on the pane
What was to dor An unhappy "sans %culottes,
in a strange city-no money, and slightly inebrl
ated. A thought struck me.
| had a large cloak, which, with all my othe
appointments, save those he took, the LANDLORD
had spared. | dressed Immediately, drew on m
boots over my fair drawers-not unlike small
clothes; put on my %cravat, vest and coat; laid
travelling cap from my trunk %jauntily over m,
forehead, and fnging my fine long mantle grace
fully about me, made my way through the hal
into the street. Attracted by shining lamps il
the p%ortico of a new hotel a few squares from
my first lodging, l entered, recorded some name
on the books, and bespoke bed. Everything
was fresh and neat; every servant attentive-al
argued well. | kept myself closely cloaked
pulled a cigar, and retired to bed TO mature IN.
plot.
y Il \ y
"Waiter, brush my clothes we'll, my fine fel
lows" said |, in the morning, as he entered m
room. "Mind the pantaloons; don't spill an
thing from the pockets; there's money i'll both
81 don't see no pantaloons."
"The devil you don't! Where are theyP
"Can't tell, I'm sure; | don't know s'elp M
God.n
go downsir, and tell your master to come u
here Immediately" The publican was with m
in q moment.
had arisen and worked my face before th
glass into a fendish look of passion. "Land
lordw exclaimed ], with n fierce gesture, 81 hav
been robbed in your house-robbed, sir, robbed
My pantaloons, and purse containing three 6ft
dollar notes, are gone. This is pretty hotel!-
= Is this the way that you fulfil the injunctions
i scriptureG ANA stranger, and ! find myself 4