American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-25
From the New York Spirit of the Times.1
A MYSTERIOUS LOGGER.
BY TIMOTHY BAGGs

- BY TIMOTHY BAGGS'
The upper apartment Of our boarding house,
at is to say a portion ofthe garret, was hired
an exceedingly low price of the andlady, by
young gentleman who gave his name as
arnabas Stoller.
He was about twenty five years Of age, dres-
d in a rusty suit ofblack, and the unfortunate
assessor of a countenance which would have
cured his success as the poor apothecary in
Romoo and Juliet" He seldom had any
Dmmunicatiou with the other boarders, and
bere was certain air of mystery about him,
nat puzzled every body in the house-no one
sould tell the nature of his business nor give
Information of the slightest circumstance touch
hg his general course of life, No one ever
lquired for him at the house, excepting at
ieals, at which he was punctual and which
10 devoured veraciously, he remained while
within the walls, secluded in his apartment
he partitioned portion of the garnet above
Mentioned
The landlady, who certainly possessed as
much curiosity as any member OF the fair sex
With whom it has ever been my good fortune
10 have any dealings with, had sounded every
BODY in order to gain some clue to the mystery
which enveloped Mr.. Stoller, but without sat-
sfaction. She had even propounded many
ircuitous inquiries to the gentleman himself,
but received only vague replies which but in
sreased her excitement. He regularly paid
mis- board every Saturday night, and always in
eoin of the smallest description, which he drew
from we'll worn leather purse.
He had resided in the house but single
month, when the landlady discovered the
following astounding and incomprehensibe
fact;
Every Saturday afternoon about the hour OF
: four, MIR. Barnabas Stoller entered the house
4 and proceeded directly to his apartment, and
having audbly turned the key in the lock,
would remain secluded for full three hours!-
This proceeding occurred regularly every Sat
urday, and by divers means did Mrs. Jones the
landlady endeavor TO solve the mystery of this
temporary retirement. Once or twice she had
been detected by one of the dodgers, peering
through MIR. Stoller's key hole, but it being
INSTRUCTED on the inner side by the key, it was
somewhat difficult to obtain an accurate view
ofthe premises Nevertheless, by dint of wait.
| ing with her ear to the door for many minutes
the worthy dame had overheard strange indie
finite sounds rising from within, (which although
they convinced her that something was pro-
crossing, cast but little light upon the subject
ofher Investigations.
"Betty, she remarked to her maid of all
work one day after one of those visits to the
entry above, what can he be doing every Satur
day at this particular time.
s1m sure can't imagine ma'am, replied
the girl thus adjured, unless he's counter
feter."
AsA counterfeter, exclaimed Mrs. Jones
"very likely, Betty, and most probably coun
terfeiter of half dollars, fol he pays Inc every
Saturday in small change for which he mus
have exchanged his spurious money-but then
Betty, added the landlady, he could hardl.
make living at counterfeiting if he works a
it only three hours in the week"
s'No ma'am, that's true" answered Betty
"but still am satisfied he must be doing some
thing horrible, though"
The landlady cogitated sometime deeply, an
then shaking her head slowly from side to side
spoke again.
swell, Betty he may be conspirator-h
NAV have some horrible plot in his head, and
really don't feel safe in the house with him ur
less can discover what he does so silly ever
Saturday-so tonight I'll ask him boldly q
supper, in what way he employs himself regr
larly once week in his room.
This resolution was warmly applauded b
Betty, who being the only female in the hous
excepting her mistress, was of course her priI
cipal supporter and adviser. They both final
concluded that Mrs. jones' plan was good on
and the conference eAded.
~
At the first sound of the bell the inmates
the house focked to supper and among I'll
foremost was the unconscious Stoler dressed
his only suit of black. He seated himself ar
! commenced with his usual voracity upon Il
provisions before him; the boarders were all Sc
ted and well engaged-Betty was standing b
hind her mistress chair, with face upc
which anxiety and curiosity were deeply BILE
ded; no sound was heard save the clattering
knives and forks with now and then the raft