Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-10-28


i knew It'll knew it. How could it be
olherwise' Oh, ifl was only home a
gam!
Mr. Todd looked the very picture Of de-
spair.
But them continued the bar.keeper
there is every probability that the gen.
tleman who usually occupies it will not be
home tonight
'Eh! eh' what's that you say?' exclaim.
ed Mr. Todd, suddenly tightening up.
i say that it is more than probable the
gentleman will not be home tonight.
what makes you think SO? Tell me
tell me what makes you think so" SAID
Mr. Todd, eagerly. DO pray stop your
laughing-l-l am so nervous-so very,
very nervous. Now-sIowly-gve me
your reason?'
why, Sir, the gentleman, Mr. Hager,
is of social disposition and fond of COM
pany. lie has been invited out this even
ing; and, from what know of the COM
pany he is 20 meet, don't expect they
will break up before morning.
'WelI,' said MIR Todd, after long
pause, II suppose must risk it. But
if he should return, | say, the consequent
ces would be Observation-Disclosures
Mr. Todd shudered to think OF it.
why, Sir, SAID the bar-keeper, III he
should come back, you would be fast as
leep-'
That's il!' said Mr. Todd. That's it,
my friend! If | should find him there
when | wake. should 60 distracted
Sir! Sir! am as bashful as a woman
| never could dress before man-never,
in all my lie, Sirr
oh! he will not come replied the bar
keeper
DO you think so'' said Mr. Todd, dub.
ously. DO you really think so?'
Indeed do" said the bar-keeper,
smothering propensity to laugh. why,
| never knew Mr. Hager to come home
till the next day. when ne has met with
these particular friends of his.
Il suppose must risk ii, them said Mr.
Todd, with an air of desperate resigna-
toni suppose must risk it! Let the
man take up my baggage, But remem-
Der, if he does come he added, solemn
ly, you must take the consequences--re
member, you must take the consequen,
ces!'
Never fear, Sirn said the bar-keeper.
Yes, but | do fear responded MIR
Todd do fear! and that is the very rea-
son AIN SO troublesome. Even NOW, 1
have presen,imenl that some mischief
will grow out Of it,
ooh! nonsense, Sir, nonsensep
'Ah! it is very well for you to say nom
sense persisted Mr. Todd-'You, who
have nerves Of iron, and could stand the
crash ola falling house; but my nerves,
Sir, quiyer like mariners needle at the
slightest movement. But it is no use talk
ing any more about it. must take my
chance; so let the man take up my trunk
again
This time Mr. Todd followed his con-
ductor TO room on the first floor and an
excellent room it was; aud directly OPP
posie the door was another Of the same
size, labelled Ladies Apartment Mr.
Todd saw it, and thought no more of it at
the time; but, alas! lie had reason 10 re-
member it afterwards.
In due time, notwithstanding his trepida
ton, MIR Todd fell fast asleep, and though.
, towards the gray Of morning, he dreamed
he heard the sound of voices in noisy con-
versa,ion, the fa,igues of the preceding
day efectually prevented MIN from being
reused TO anything like positive conscious
ness, and it was not until The first bell
rang for breakfast, that he might be said
to be fully awake.
MIR Todds first act was to rub his eyes
,, his second to glance steallhly towards
the nelghboring bed. His heart beat fear
) fully-lhe clothes were rumpled into a
huge knott was certainly occupied
He looked fear(uliy towards the pillow
The first thing that struck him was bald
: head, with struggling gray hairs-,he next,
a black bushy head, with enormous pro-
truding whiskers-and the next, head
of light ilaxen hair, and mouth whose
upper lip was clothed in sandy NOUS
J tache. Great was the fear of Mr. Todd
the very bed trembled beneath him! He
had objected to one roommate, and, by
some fatality, three had come IN upon him.
He covered up his head beneath the bed
clothes in utter despair.
Streaming with perspiralion, and be-
moaning his unlucky stars, the unfor,un-
ate man persisted in hiding himself within
his covert for long time. He heard the
: door open and some one more about the
= room.
Il dare say it's another Of EN-" groaned
Mr. Todd, aud so he lay silent.
: 1t was only servant, however.
The second bell had long since rung,
and Mr. Todd became every instan, more
> and more uneasy. He looked from his
: covert. and catching the eye Of the bald.
headed man, he lodged back again.
; Another hour passed. Mr. Todd look
ed again The bald-headed man had fall.
EN- once more asleep, .
81 wonder if they mean TO get up to-
duy" said Mr. Todd; and then he thought
to himself: "What shall do2 have an
engagement at ten, and it is'-he drew
his watch quietly from under his pillow
"half past nine already! What shall dol
= oh! what shall do?" .....
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