The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-10-17

ADVENTURES OF BRITISH orrIcER.

A correspondent of the Concordia Intelcencer
relates the following incident that iranspred few
weeks pg6 n New Orleans:
Having dinei at the Planters, a first rate fam
lily hotel kept by Murray, formerly Of the Natchez
Mansion House, and repaired to the balcony, over
hanging Canal ST., 20 enjoy the sea breeze, fell
into a conversation with gentleman, registered
on the book as Major He, late OF the British
Army. Like all others of his class, he had seen
much of the world, and was courteous and COM
municative. He had served in India, in the Pc
ninsular. in Belgium, in the war with this country,
and subsequently,, was an aid de-campt TO Boli-
var. I'll
'.Mere than thirty years ago, /" said he, 81 was
at the hotel, then known Beal's 1t was IN
September, and the yellow fever was prevailing,
but as had long been quartered in the tropics,
felt no apprehensions. NV ris ris at dinner,
was Mr.. Cameron, a young Scotchnlan, in the
prime of life, commercial agent of a Glasgow
house. For three days we dined and spent our
evenings together. On the fourth, he did not APP
pear. ~ tf 9n aa fts 4g 500
ssWhie slipping my sherry after dinner, sent
! for the landlord, aud inquired for Mr.. Cameron.
"Major,' = said he, ''your friend will never dine
with You again, but whenever you please will
conduct you to him. an fst
''Srueis with these words, which though utter
ed with polite aoRchaiaace, had somethlngomi-
nous in them rose from the table, and in silence
followed MIR. Beale. He threw open a small par
lor, and there lay my young friend. with whom
had parted at two O'Clock the preceding evening,
dead! Sir, have had my conrade cut down by
cuirassier at my elbow have seen whole bat
talllOns swept away by artillery; have seen a
storrning party torn into fragments by the expo
tsion Of u mine; | have seen brave men sink at
sea, and hundreds perish in hospitals by the vast
ling ravages Of wounds and disease; but never
hSxe been. SO shocked and appalled, as by the
| lIsid corpse Of'that young Scotchman. lie had
been seized with fever Immediately after leaving
my room, and expired at day light; and so little
impression had it made, and 80 much was such
death within the every day line Of incidents, it
had not di4arbed the business Of the house, nor
had the landlord, who knew our intimacy, nor
the waiter who attended US at the table and serv-
ed US with champagne the evening previous,
thought 1t Of sufficient Importance to name it to
me. In those days in New Orleans, resident gen.
tlemen never appeared at breakfast. They took
their coffee with q !ehere annie, some beautiful
quadrOon, but if absent AZ dinner you might with
out further inquiry, apply for letters Of admins
tration on the estates. My poor friend was already
in his coffin, and even iii my grief, could not
avoid noticing its elaborate finish, solid mahogany
trimmed with velvet, with silver plate his name
and escutcheon beautifully engraved. Fexpress
ed my surprise that those could be procured when
the subject had only been dead few hours.
''Major,' said Mr.. Beale, ''that is eashy ex-
lplained. We have an undertaken attached to this
house Cameron's coffin had been ready twelve
months
"What, sir, had he presentiment of death?''
s'No, Major, not at all. But in this city the
march of DISEASE is rapid; our fevers kill in few
hours; modification Immediately ensues, and is
the rule of my house, fronl July to October, to
measure everS man for his coffin the moment he
registers his name. The chances ten to one
he will be dead in fortnight"
As looked increduous at this statement, MIR.
BeaIe continued: Il perceive you do not credit
this MAJOR, but follow me, if you please and you
shall be convinced
lie led the way to the attic Of the house, and
there ranged around in grim array, stood sixty
cofns Of different finish and dimensions, one for
each boarder, with my own conspicuous among
them, with my name and coat Of arms bazOned
upon it,. .:N IF
sMajor," said the landlord, "your measure
was taken the moment Of your arrival. You an
nounced your intention to stay three months, and
while registering your name, my undertaken, who
watches the arrivals, and is very adrod, applied
his tape to you. l hope, sir, you are pleased
: Inspect the heraldry. 1t is all right. We consult
the best authorities on the British peerage.''
was too much shocked to reply, but mme.
dately retreated to my room, packed my baggage
: and rang for my bill, determined not to SLEEP
another night in city where cotfins were made
nnd probably graves dug beforehand My bill
was as follows: Major H-----t, to Beale's io-
= tel Dr-Four days board at So, $12; Lights
81 so; Cigars, 81; Paper, % cents. Wine $40
Coffin, $3.50; f Z, $50 rs. H
Descended 10 the bar in no amiable mood
threw down thirty -four dollars and seventy-fiye
cents, but refused 70 pay for the coffin. had
never ordered ssuch thing; on the contrary, il
was liberty I should not excuse. ''Very well
Major,'' said Mr.. Beale, with low bow and one
of bis blandest smiles, s'Just as you please; i
makes no difference" The coffin Wa made III
pursuance Of rule Of nay house. Hdd YOU re
NAMED week, you would, most probably have
needed it, and as we bury strangers before thsy
are quite dead, had this coffin not been made. il
the event of your death, your arlst0cratic body
would have been sent TO the trench in pine box
do not pay, Major, it is quite unnecessary. Bu
: your coat of arms---the escuiheon of the noble
house sf 1t is on that coffin, and the frs
: pauper that dies shall be buried in il. =
This was too much for my ancestral pride
threw down the sovereigns, made bonfire of the
lcofin, and the same evening hired a barge t.
!, carry me from city where such dreadful Gus
: toms prevailed. Imperative business, continued
Ethe Major, brought me to New Orleans few day
q drawn to the same hotel from which had fes
thirty years ago; and by strange coincidence
my stay is Of the same duration, Il leave thr
: evening }. aud my bill! is about the same
4 Show, Major,'' exclaimed, ''has Muna..
charged you for coffn'" 49,
"No, sir, not exactly that--it occurred in thi
way: While registering my name, felt som
lone ttuch me on the shoulder, as felt it thlrt
years before Indignant that the same trick shoul
be pIayed upon me a second time, wheeled an
!, nj one blow, knocked the man down, and place
nv foot upon his breast The mistake wa
: promptly explained s~It was an attendant OF th
hotel in tkSsct Of brushing the dust off my Goa
Ii felt much \hag grined. and the least could dc
was to ask the poor fellows pardon, and insist
his accepting the same amount that paid tor m
GOTTA on former o casion Saying this, the gel
want shook my hand and departed -, Z,
Curiosity led me to the attic, but the rule
the house has been changed, and instead Of coffin
I found long rows Of Sherry. Medeira, Port, Cos
: mac. Holland, Old Jamaica and Irish Whiskey
: in bottles and demijohns covered with cobweb
/. Iike old monks in their dark gowns, which Mul
& ray here houris for his guests
% Henry Clay and Francis jeffrey.
NJ rg,v,s N II 'spee eh in the Senate in fave