The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-07

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Gueas.-Come, landlord give us some grub
Cold pies, or meat if nothing else. We feel
tolerable hollow.
The landlord after some minutes of silence.
succeeds in lighting a bed-lamp and sets it
down with marked emphasis We quickly
divine his prediction.
Guests-Come landlord that won't do
Shell out now. We are as hungry as meat
axes
Landlord SnGppiShiy-Wha dye want
Guests, IN reSOiute tone-Pies we told YOU.
The landlord rushes frantically out, and soon
brings in some pie
GueSs.-Now landlord, that's good. Bring
in some cheese, now, and some bread and milk.
LdndiOrd.-l tell We, ye'll have to make that
do till breakfast time. Can't give We no more,
no how.
Accordingly, having made the best of our
cold supper, we take the bed-lamp, and grim
smile Of satisfaction comforts the landlords
pbiz as we ascend the stairs.
Next morning, we undertook to walk to the
nearest railway terminus some seventy-ive
miles. Poverty alone impeled us, and We could
only support the painful resolve by cOnsidera-
tons of the necessity, and of the strength lately
plucked from our carniserous diet in the woods.
We actually set off on foot, to the no small
chagrin of the stage drivers
No wonder that our Gibeonish apparel in
troduced us everywhere as n suspicious charac-
ter. The first day, having walked forty miles,
we halted at the ambitious town Of Athens
about dusk-the force of early habit If nothing
else urging us to observe the Saturday night
as season of rest and preparation. The land
lord, having cast hasty Neutrality-suspicious.
glance at our soiled and grotesque garments,
conducted us TO the very northeastern corner
of his dominons. We thought Of that 'whey-
faced brother -
| Whom John, obedicnt to his masters sign
| Conducts, laborious, up to ninety nine
We were introduced into small and dngy
apartment wherein sundry trunks and trow-
sers had been carelessly sprinkled about, and
there the landlord, bidding us sleep either on
one or both beds, unceremoniously deserted us
AT first, we were inclined to grumble; but, on
reflection, concluded to treat the matter a. IA
good joke, and to wear a better coat next time
| But our equanimity was even more sorely tried
The next day, the Sabbath, having spent
several medtative but unquiet hours in the
bar-roOm-thc only place where a seat was
permitted us-we concluded to relieve the
monotonous time with n walk, and 80 stepped
out. The landlord followed us to the door,
with, "Are you going to leave!" Having
briefly said NO" we sauntcred leisurely along
the street and finally took the highway lead
ing out of the village. Our notions however,
were narrowly watched. Hardly five minutes
of pleasant walking had slipped by, when a
harsh sound came borne upon the blast
Hallo-halo. there, capn !"
A prescntiment suddenly came upon us We
felt guilty, and reflected that We were but
rowdy looking fellow and owed the landlord
quarter.
"Halo-o.o, there, mister" came again, from
a nearer voice.
Accordingly, We stopped, and looked behind.
On like the wind came the pursuer, and tri-
umph cleaned from his eye for he had caught
| the dishonest lodger. AS soon as the distance
and his spent breath allowed, he shouted
"Pay your bill, cap'n"
With quiet Indignation we paid the bill, and
then asked
Don't you take me for a gentleman"
oval, We ought to he one, for sartainN
"Well, my friend" said l. "you take your
money, and welcome. am only going short
walk, and hope to sec you again. Ii | don't
come back, you may have my baggage, which
consists of a air-brush and "a tooth brush |
am sorry that | haven't got my cards with
me-
Was not this intolerable that in broad day
| light the cry of stop thief should he raised
behind one! But it seemed better to laugh mt
the suspicious host than to be angry with him.
We certainly did not look honest, as to that
coat we wore but the eye 1--WE hope to say it
modestly did not look sly or vilanous in the
least
So we went back, went into the bar-room as
boldly US though nobody knew us, borrowed
pipe and commenced smoking
Landlord" said l. at length, "will you
give me receipt for the cash your young man
ran afterin
The landlord fdgeted, and was silent. So
we continued
"You certainly were not to blame, landlord,
in taking this to be most rascally ceat. Ii
does really look shocking bad Pm sorry, for
your sake, didn't wear my hest one. Bat if
you haven't any objection, I'll take tea with
you and he glad to pay for it, too"
oval, young man, he broke forth, "Ill tell
ye what you are honest. If you hadn't been
honest, you'd ha been mad as blazes Pm
sorry sent Jack arter ye You shall stay here
rs long as you want and welcome
We thanked the man, and having assured
him that we should pay for whatever of his we
used, babe him not be deceived again by the
"outward appearance"
After that, we lived in clover Mt Athens.
The landlord was very affable and said "sir;'-
the young lady who waited at tho table OWNED
what ! wanted before my request, and even
the landlords little son made me gratuities of
sweet fresh apples.
After dark, on Sunday evening when all
censorious people were in doors and out of
sight, we started from Athens, to be mt the
railroad depot on the following morning The
walk was exceedingly lonely--not even dog
barked at us and had it not been for a mus
tela putorius, who created quite an odorous d.
version by suddenly crossing my path, should
have grown very cynical during that short
night. My principal occupation was found in
scrutinizng the dingy barns by the roadside
in hope that some ancient gnide-board might
assure me that was in the right road. but for
twenty miles found none. My chief diversion
was found in whistling, During the first part
of the night, solaced my loneliness with old,
familiar psalm tunes but after twelve, when
Monday had fairly begun, digressed 10 pro-
fame melodies, such as Uncle Nedn ain the
good old colony times" &c.
At length, as the morning star was rising
we stood upon the iron track, somewhat q leg
weary" as the Yankees phrase it, bnt exulting
over the toilsome leagues behind Now, we
feel that past labors are pleasant, and rejoice
10 write, here, in the forest city Of Maine
Brundisium longe Gnis chartp quo Sie que"