Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-10-03
Desperation.


able tale of "Desperation,' one of the rich ar
ticlcs which are embraced in the literary re
mains Of the late Willis GAYLORD Clark. 1t is
only necessary to premise that the writer is
Philadelphia student, who, after a stolen fort.
night amid the Tayctics of a Washington "sea.
son." finds himself Through the remissness of
chum) at Baltimore on his way home. without
a penny in his pocket. He stops at a fashiona.
bic hotel nevertheless, where, after tarrying 4
day or two. he finally, at the heel of a grand
dinner, ''omneS sO1us," in the private apartment
thanked with abundant Champagne and Burgun,
dy, resolves to disclose all to the landlord
Summoning a servant, he SAYS:
"ASk the landlord to step up to my room, and
bring his bill"
He %clatters down stairs g]iggline, and shortly
after his master appeared. He entered with a
generous smile, that made me hope for "the
best his house afforded and that, Just then was
credit.
"IIow much do | owe ~ said J.. He handed
me the bill with all the grade of q private eX-
pcctency.
"Let me see-sevcnteen dollars. How very
reasonable. But, my dear sir, the most dis
agreeable part Of the matteri is now to be dis
closed. ! gricve to inform you that at present,
lam out Of money; and | know by your philan-
tllropic looks 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 to YOU, that's a fact; but in the place
where | came from, all my acquaintance know
! me, as easy as can be"
The landlord turned all colors. 'Where do
you live, any how!
in Wasliing--,I should say in Philadel-
phia."
His eyes flashed with angry disappointment.
l see how it is, Master; my opinion is that you
are a backlog. You don't know where your
drop it for Philadelphia; You must pay your
BILL
But can't"
"Then Ill take your clothes;i if don't, blow
me tight"
"Scoundrel !" said /, rising blot upright, "do
it, if YOU dare ! and leave the rest to me-"
There were no more words. He arose de-
liberately, seized my hat, and my only mex
pressibles, and walked down stairs.
Physicians say that two excitements can't
exist at the same time in one system. External
circumstances drove away, almost Immediately
the confusion ofmy brain.
rose and looked out of the window. The
snow was descending as | drummed on the
pane. What was | to do! An unhappy "sons
c~ulottes," i'll u strange city; no money, and slightly
inebriated. "A thought struck me.
had a large, full cloak, which, with all my
other appointments, save those he took, the
landlord had spared. l dressed Immediately;
drew on my boots over my fair drawers, not I'M
like small clothes: put on ny ~cravat, vest and
coat; laid a travelling cap from my trunk, jauntily
over my forehead, and fiinging my fine long
mantle gracefully about me, made my way
through the hall into the street.
Attracted by shining lamps in the portico of
Il new hotel, a few squares from my first lodg-
ing, entered, recorded some name on the books,
and bespoke a bed. Every thing was fresh and
neat; every servant attentive; all augered well.
kept myself closely cloaked; pulled a cigar,
and retired to bed to mature my plot.
X x x x X x x
"Waiter, just brush my clothes well, my fine
fellow" said |, in the morning, as he entered
Fly room. "AIind the pantaloons; don't spill
any thing from the pockets; there is money in
both"
81 don't see no pantaloons."
sThe devil you don't Where are they?'
"Can't tell, Tn sure;I don't know, s'elp me
God"
"Go down, sir, and tell your master to come
up here immediately" The publican was with
me in a moment.
Ihad arisen, and worked my face before the
glass into a fiendish look of passion. "Land-
lord ~ exclaimed |, with a fierce gesture, Il
have been robbed in your house-robbed, sir,
robbed! Ny pantaloons, and a purse contain
ing three fifty dollar notes are gone. This is a
pretty hotel. Is this the way that you fulfil the
iniunctions of scripture! ] am a stranger, and
| had myself taken in with a vengeance. l will
expose you at once if | am not recompens-
ed
"Pray, keep your temper" said the agitated
publican. II have just opened this house, and
it is getting a good run-would you ruin its
reputation for an accident? Twill find out the
villain who has robbed you, and will send foSa
tailor to measure you for your missing garment.
Your money shall be refunded. Do you see
that your anger is useless"
"My dear sir" I replied; Il thank you for
your kindness. | did not mean to reproach
YOU. If those trowscrs can be done to-day, |
shall be satisfied; for time is more precious than
money. You may keep the Others if you find
them, and in exchange for the one hundred and
fifty dollars which you give me, their contents
are yours"
The next evening with new inexpressibles,
and one hundred and forty dollars in my purse,
/ called on my guardian in Philadelphia for sixty
dollars. He gave it with a lecture on collegiate
dissipation, that | shall not soon forget: en-
closed the money back to my honorable land
lord, by the first post, settled my other bill at
old Crusty's the frstpublican, and got my trunk
by mail.
CODA correspondent of the London
Times says: @It will hardly be believed that the