The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1853-04-16
story OF n IIuinoTist.

Well, have seen your friend, and find him to
be exactly what you described him n. being
"A humerlst. He seems to have impaired
much Of Ihat character to ever Ihiug around kim.
HIS servants all admirably disciplined TO
second his whms, and lis very furniture is. for
The ma.t part, adapted to the same purpo-e-
THIS PIT me upon ny guard, and there was hard.
ly ans ihins IA the room that did touch with APP.
pTvheu'ion. No ttch. however. WAS pract.,rG
upon me; and ~ found subsequently,, WAS IL.
debied for such nIiilLyHce to one which WAS rs-
served for me at night, aud wh,sh vi. s4ch a.,
perhaps all my English phiy.n would no, have
enabled me- to bear with patience. escaped
however, being pu, to ,hs proof by the mere-tI
aCcldeut-the Lui'al Of q poor Scotch surveyor
who was though; f.ter subject iJr the ots re
Fsatel experiment;
Tie ScJ;-huaH was treated with cIsrexle ho.
pita'ity he was helped 10 everything to excess Il
his glass WAS never allowed to stand iull or emp
for one minute. Tie potations were susp.rdt d
not until, and only while the cloth was LAYING for
supper, during aud after which they were resum
ell with renovated energy. Oar entertainer was
ike the landlord desclibed by Addison: the
liquor seemed to have no moro effect upoa him
than upon any other vessel in tho house. 1t WIS
not 50 with this Scotch guest, who was, by this
time much father advanced upon the cruise Of
irtoXJration than hdlf seas over.
In this state hc was conducted to his chamber
4 fur Gothic apartment, with u bed.t.ad that
seemed coeval with the bnilding. ! .ay seemed
for that was by no means the casv; it being in
realitya m oigTn piece Of structure. II was Of
dark mahogany, with its four post. extending
completely to the ceiling Vi the chamber The
bed, however was not more than about two feet
from he floor. the batter to cnable the party to
get into it. Tbs SCo,i.h nan, with good deal
.
body deposited in this place OF rspose All tie
party then retrSl, wishing lin good night
and removing the candle for fear of accidents.
When the door was closed, | was for hs fist
time made acquainted with the structure Of the
/ bs,dsiead. which cur lost considered as his mas.
terpce. Upon the touching OF spring oH.s.dc
I the door, the bed was acted upon BY pulley,
| that il assembled slewly and smoothly through the
four post, nil it same within two OF three feet
oi tn. ceiling The snoring o, the ScotchrnSn
Was the slgsAl for touching the spring, and Ly
was soon at tho proper altitude,
The servants required no instructions how 10
act. In one moment 'he house WAS IN an uvr =
erie, Of fre fire" were heard n different drcc.
tons A pile Of shaviugs was sat in blaze op.
puslte the window where poor S.wnsy slept
The landlords voice was continually heard cx
claiming, "Guod heavens, save the poor Scotch
gentleman, II possible, the flames have got into
the room lust under h,mf
AT this moment, We heard him f,ll, and bel
low cut, a sudden silence took place, every
u ght WAS oXtIrgui,hrd and th. whole house
seemed To We buried in the most profound rcpo,c
The S.o,chmans voice could alone be heard roar.
ing out IN the high dialect OF his country, for US
sistance
At length two VI the men servants, in their
shirls entered the roum, with candle just llt.
sleep. They found HIM sprawlug ON the floor
20 dear, sir, what is the matter with you"
Matter saws he, why, isn't the house sn fire I
Not at all sr.'
/ What wa. the reason of the crios of ire thsrT
Bless you, SIR YOU must have been dreaming
why, there's not so much asa mouse stirring. agd
his honor and the whole family have been asleep
these tire" hours
The scotchmAn now gave up all credit in the
testimony nj own senses
4 nust ha been dreaming indeed, and ha'
hurt mp.el! by falling out Of The bed"
Hunt Yourself srl mot much, hope, the
bed sso low and by this time Il had been mad
to descend io lts first level
The puoi Scott was quite confused, quite
ashamed at dsiubng the family begged thou.
sand psdons, accompanied the servants the door,
closed II after them, aud was once more LETT IN
the dark
But tho las, act Of the ?ontomns was not per,
formed. The spring had been Immediately
touched upon closing the door aud the bed was
.non beyond the reach OF our guest. We could
hear him cropping about and uttclnc frequent
eneun'nns of as,on.hmrnt lie easily found
the bod posts hut It was IN vain he could snlcay.
or to get in lie moved hi. hands up aud down
, H.. leg WAS often lifted by way Of stepping in
{ but ALWAYS encountered the floor upon IT, de-
: scent lie uttered sXel,m,t,on- Of surprise. nv:
. luund, bu' deep, for fear of again disturbing the
! family. llc concluded himself to bo in .he po.
session " some evil spirit
In short, when twas found by his silence. that
he had given up the task ~ hopeless and had lis
= posed nfhmsef unon one Of the chairs, the bod
IVA, allowed to slide down ssou, and IN the