Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-08-12
Mr.. SampSOn'S House.

'Once upon tlme,' a queer old fellow named
smith started from Southern city upon pe,es
tran excursion of about one hundred miles He
was not such Gerry OH fellow either; he was about
forty years older than when he was born This
M. Smith Che not connected with the John
Smith family in the most remote degree) was a
man OF many peculiarities. Ii absolute STUPIDITY
did not form a prominent trait in his character II
was quality which very much resembled stupdi-
ty and might easily be mistaken for it by at least
one halt OF the world. He had manifested sinpu
lar abstraction, generally described as absence of
mlnd and frequently roamed about the entire dav
without becoming aware of the nature of his move
menis. This was Mr. Smith.
we were saying that Mr. Smith started upon
Journey on The ten Oed machine spoken of i'm John
Bull. After travelling few miles our pedestrian
felt somewhat thirsty, and called at small estab
hshment, which looked though it was about half
tavern for Il drink.
A good natured younp fellow waited nnon b;,,
brought his brandy and water-and, in addition
furnished him with bit of bread and cheese. All
ms was decidedly welcome and refreshing When
Mr. Smith had quenched his thirst and satisfied the
slight cravings OF appetite, he recommended his
travels, and, as he left the city toerably early in
me morning, he though he might walk two or
three hours longer before he stopped for dinner.
Ills road seemed to be very level, and was skirt
ed on one side by an uncommonly hiph fence. On
he looted 1t for about three hours lonuer until a
glance at the position of the sun satisfied him that
he had better secure his MONDAY meal He called
at small dwelling by the road side and the follow
ing dialogue ensuei between him and bow stand
ing IN the doorway:
''Who lives here nv son?''
MT sampson, SIR"
DO you keep tavern 2"
why sorter, and sorter Motive accommodate
people sometimes
Can get dinner here ?''
Yes sr-walk in"
Our traveller walked in and in the course of half
set before him
lie ate, drank, paid his moderate bill, put on his
nat took his walking stick and proceeded upon his
journey.
Before he renewed his labors, however, he took
the nrecauton TO fill his pipe carefully and then
llght It, Fresh and vigorous as ever he then push
ed ahead but as the sun crept down the horizon
Mr. Smith began to feel some degree of WEAKNESS
stealing over him, still he persevered till it was
quite dark. Finding himselfoppositea small house
by the road SIDE he inquired Of youth seated up
on the threshold
"Who lives here, my son %
'Mr. Sampson, SIR
Can get supper and lodging here to night, by
paying for it %
Certainly, sir-walk in'
Mr. Smith crossed the threshold, laid aside his
hat and cane, drank cup of tea and ate two or
three slices OF toast, read four chapters i'm 'sFoXs
Book of Martyrs" which he found upon the man
tlepiece, and went to bed. When he awoke in the
morning, the sun Just showing its broad red
disc above the tree tops. He found the breakfast
upon the table waiting for him. He finished the
morning meal, and commenced his travels the Sc
cond day. One thing, simply, attracted his obser-
vation-lhe road was exceedingly uniform-but the
fact excited no surprise. At noon he called at a
snug little house, and asked lad who was gazing
out of window
''Who lives here, my son? %
mir. Sampson, sir"
Our travelled paused for moment reflected, and
seemed to be coming some name or circum
stance III his mind--at last he said
Are there many Of the name of Sampson on this
road. my son?,
ga good many" said the boy.
81 thought So Can you give me dinner here
my son 2"
''Certainy, sir-walk n''
Mr.. Smith stepped in, swallowed his dinner and
once more took to the road. When night came on,
ne OF course stopped at the first house on his way.
A youth sat upon wheelbarrow at the door whit
Ting.
"Who lives here, my SOM"
"'Mr. Sampson, sir"
''Mr. Sampson by Jupiter should think they
were all Simpsons on this road. / got dinner at
Mr.. SIMPSONS yesterday, slept at another Mr.
SIMPSONS last night. Besides, the houses have
seen upon this road all look alike-it's very queer"
Very queer" repliedthe boy with leer, which
seemed to say, ''you can't fool me old fellow"
"Can you give me supper and odging?" said
the traveller.
CertaDly-walk in'
'1'm darned if this isn't a queer country )" said
the old man as he went TO bed ''this looks exactly
like the room slept in last night-bui suppose it
is all right"
1t was full two O'Clock the next day, when after
travelling briskly at least six hours, Mr.. Smith
stopped at a comfortable small dwelling with the
intention Of securing his dinner A boy stood in
The door.
GLOW dye do p" said the boy.
"Nlcely, my son. Who lives here7''
"Mr: sampson. Pve told you that half dozen
times already"
.'Tho d you have. haven't been here
before. have %
"a reckon you have-but Amt you travelling on a
bet ?"
Travelling on bet! no-what put that in your
head?o
why, you've been walking round the race
course here for two days and half, and didn't
suppose you was doin it in fun"
For the first time, now, Mr.. Smith took sur
vcy of things, and to his establishment discovered
that the boy had been telling the truth. He drew
his bat over his forehead and started for bome-de-
termined never to venture upon pedestrian excur-
sion again.