Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-09-19
New Orleans Thirty Years Ago.
DEATH AND THE HOTEL KEEPERS.


The part Of New Orleans correspondent, for the
Concordla Intelhgencer. a new paper published
IN The interior of the State of Louisiana. quotes
an article from Boston gazette, relative TO
man who once nearly escaped premature burial
10 New York. during The prevalence of the yell
low lever, and adds The following Story by The
way of illustration
The foregoing reminds me of an inciden,
that transpired few weeks ago Having dined
al The Planters, frs, rate family hotel. kept
by Murry, formely of The Nalchez Mansion
House, and repaired to The balcony. overhang
my Canal street, TO enjoy the sea breeze, |
fell In'o conversation with gentleman regis
rered or The books as Major tt, late of
the British army, Like all others Of his class,
he had seen much of the world, and was cour-
teOus and communicative He had served in
India, in the Pennsuar, in Belgium, in the
wars with this country, and subsequently,, was
an aid-de-camp 10 Bolivar.
More than thirty years ago" said he. 81
was at this horel, then known as Beale's.. II
was in September, and the yellow fever was
prevailing, but as had long been quartered in
The tropics fell no apprehensions. My vis a
vls al dinner was Mr.. Cameron, a young Scotch
man in the prime Of life, commercial agent Of
a Glasgow house. For three days we dined
and spen. our evenings together On he fourth,
he did no. appear While slipping my sherry
after dinner, sent for the landlord, and IN
quired for Mr.. Cameron"
Major" said he, "your friend will never
dine with you again. but whenevsr you like
will conduct you TO him." W
Struck with these words which though ui-
- L l. i -.
ominous in them, rose from The table and in
silence followed MIR. Beale. He threw open
small parlor, and there lay my young friend,
with whom had parted al TWO O'Clock the pre-
ceding evening, dead i! Sir, have had my
comrade cui down by cuirassier at my elbow;
| have seen whole batalions swep, away by
artillery; | have seen stOrming party torn
into fragments by The explosion Of mine ; |
have seen brave men sink al sea, and hundreds
perish in hospitals by the wasting rarages of
wounds and disease but never have been so
shocked and apparelled, as by the livid corpse
oGthat young ScoIchman He had been seized
with fever Immediately after leaving my room,
and expired al daylight and so lille impression
had it made, and so much was such a death
within The every day line of incidents, it had
not disturbed the business of the house, nor
bad the landlord, Who knew our intimacy nor
'he waiter, who attended us al table, and served
Us with champagne the evening previous,
thought it Of sufficient importance to me. In
those days, in New Orleans, resident gentle.
men never appeared al breakfast. They took |
their coffee with cher amie. some beautiful
quadroon but if they were absent al dinner, |
you might, without further inquiry, apply for
letters of administration, on their estates My
poor friend was already in his doffin, and even
In my grief could no, help noticing its elabo-
rate finish, solid mahogany. trimmed with velvet, |
with silver plate, his name and esculcheon
beautifully engraved. expressed my surprise
that these could be procured when The subject
had only been dead few hours"
Major" said Mr.. Beae. =" that is easily
explained. We have an undertaken attached
o this house. Camelon's coffin has been ready |
twelve months"
What sir, had he presentimenI of death Z"
mo, major, not at all Blu. in this city the
march of disease is rapid; our fevers kill in a
few hours; modification Immediately ensues.
and il is the rule of my house, from July TO Oc-
ober, 10 measure every man for his coffin the
moment he registers his name. The chances
are ten TO one he will be dead in torlnighI."
AS | looked incredulous al this statement,
Mr. Beae continued Il perceive you do not
credit this, major, but follow me, if you please,
and you shall be convinced"
''He led The way to the attic Of the house, and
here, ranged around IN grim array, stood sixty
,o:fins of different finish and dimensions, one
or each boarder, with my own conspicuous
among them, my name and coal of arms bla-
,oned upon it!
Major" said The landlord, "your measure
v as taken the moment Of your arrival. You
announced your intention TO stay three months,
nd while registering your name, my under
aker. who watches the arrivals, and is very
ldrioi, applied his tape To you. | hope, sir.
,ou are pleased. Inspect the heraldry. 1t Is
IL right We consult the beat authorities on
he British peerage."
Il was TOO much shocked TO reply imme-
lately retreaied TO my room, packed up my
aegage, aud rang for my bill, determined not
0 sleep anolher night in city where coinns
we're made and probably graves dug, before
and. NY bill was as follows Major Ii,
0 Beaes Hotel, Dr-Four days board al So,
;l2 90: Lights, 81 SO Cigars 81 90; Pa.
er 25 cents; Wine, $50 90; Coffin, $3.50 00i
E, $50 IS.
-. desc ended TO the bar in no smable mood;
lrew down thirty four dollars and seventy
ems, but refused 10 pay for the coffin. had
ever ordered such lhng; on The contrary, /
is liberty should not excuse. Very well {
fsior.' said Mr.. Beale, with low bow and |
no of his blandest smiles. jHsI as you please;