The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-10-20
BarnUTla a ROy,

A Chapter from Z. I! Batnunt's Autobiograpbg.
While | was clerk in the store in Bethel Con-
necticut, my father kept the village tavern.
usually slept with my younger brother Eder (; but
when house was filled with travellers, we
were Obliged to sleep 81 three in a bed =" by taking
in our honest Irish farmer Edmund, as sleeping
partner. Alter the store was closed at night,
frequently joined some Of village boys in
party at the house of their parents, and what with
ory-telllng and various kinds of ''child's play,
a couple Of hours would glide away, and at L
O'Clock night, which was later than my. parents
permitted, | would slyIy creep up stairs and crawl
into bed with the greatest caution, lest | should
wake my brother, who would be sure to report
my late hours TO my parents.
MY brother contrived all sorts Of plans 10 catch
nc on my return home, but sleep would overtake
him, and | would elude his vigilance. Sometimes
he would pile trunks and chairs against the door,
that could hardly open it without upsetting
the barricade, and awakening him by the noise, |
would generally manage, however, to open the
door by degrees, and TO get 10 bed without disturb
ing his slumbeTs.
One night found the door fastened on the in.
side by nail firmly driven the latch. De-
iermiBPd that lie should uOI out wit me, descend
ed the stairs found sho:; ladder which | ascend
cd and entered our bedroom window without be-
ing discovered.
These continual coniriya0ces OF my brother
made me always suspicious of some trap my
return home, and generally approached my DOR
mory With the greatest degree of caution. One
night returned as usual sDout ii O'Clock, and
opt ning the door few inches with great care,
nun ia my in order 10 discover any obstruc-
ton which mlght lie in wait for My hand
soon touched small cord which found was at
tachrd to The door latch by one end, where he
other end yos fastened could not imagine, and
the darkness would not enable me to discover.
drew khiEe from my pocket, and cutting the cord
very Cautiously, opened the door and got into
bid without discovery. On awaking the next
morning lound the other end Of the cord attached
my brothers. big toe This very ingenious
contrivauce he thought would wake him Up, and
II und"Ubtediy woBld have doue so, bat for my
timely discovery. Another night he sat himself
up u the middle of The bed and bolsered himself
uP With p!in~s, determined 10 keep awake until
returned. But sleep at last ovcrcame him, and
when arrived and found him in that position,
snngg' d myself 10 costly the foot of the
bed, and wen; to sleep. In the morning he found
himself sitting bolt upright, just as ne went 10
sleep the night before. Giving HE kick to wake
me- he rxciai!lrd
" Y ou worked it pretty we'll last night, but I'll
catch you yet"
{" You are welcome to do it if YOU can" re-
piled, " but you will have to get up early IN the
| n"rning to catch a weasel asleep.
The next night he fastened a spur upon his naked
heel and went 10 sleep, thinking that when got
into bed should hit the spur, and perhaps rake
my skin, the pain Of which would Cause me 20
! cry o'Ii and thus awake him. / retired with my
! usual caution That night, and discovering CON
| lTivnnce, | concluded my brother had abandoned
| the chase, and turning nay back 10 him was soon
| raped IN the arms OF Morpheus.
| II chaEceS that night that number Of tin ped
lcrs and other travellers arrived at late hour, and
! every bed being engaged, our Irish Edmund was
| Obliged to sleep with US. Perceviug me slowed
away the back side Of the bad, aud my brother
lying asHsua plum? 10 The middle, he quctiy LAID
| hmsrn down on ;hc float part Of the bed and
NJ To $irep.
At about , O'Clock was awakened BY fear
| fui noise. The !uil moon streaming IN al ire
window, making our bedroom as light doy.
"Til rache ye to go to bed with spur on, W
lHtIe divil ye," exclaimed Edmund, as he held
my brother high in The air, one hand grs' ping m,
ck and the other holding the offending leg with
rhc spur on, just over my head.
" What is the matter, Edmund - | exclaimed
in surprise.
"Divi' thing is the matter except this brothe:
of yours has his spur into me groin matter
o! three inches" replied the indignant lrshman,
who was suff;-rin5 under the smart of his wound.
" | did not mean IT for you | meant 1t for lay
ior," whined out my brother, only half awake.
- Divl care do care what you meant it for,
that | got it," replied Edmund, at the same
time giving my brother several saps which made
him Yell like young Indian.
Edmund then unbuckled the spur, and arrang-
ing all in bed again, he turned TO GO to sleep,
simply rcmarking To my brother, " The mkt time
We Try TO ride me for borse, We will find | am a
kicking one ye young varmInt!