Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-25
A Character.

William Nollis, otherwise known as Chilly Dew
H." who is welhknown parsonage in the city, was
brought in for vagrancy. Those of our readers
who live in the Seventh, Eleventh. Thirteenth, and
Fourteenth, wards will need no description Of this
eccentric person, who is n good deal of charac-
ter after his own diabolical fashion. For the in
formation, however, Of those persons who may
never have encountered him, brief description
of the individual, and his distinguishing idiosyn-
crasy, may be requisite. Nos is a man of about
forty-fve years; of singularly courteous demean-
or, using good language in refined manner, and
orincing by his whole action and speech that he
has received the education of well-bred man. He
was an accountant for large importing house in
Pearl street, and was noted for his clear-headcd
ingenuity in unraveliDg and settling up complicated
and difficult matters of business. Rum, however,
was his ruin--from an unaccustomed glass to n
daily dram--from an occasional indulgence to a
fixed and settled habit, the practice of drinking
grew upon him. lie became untrustworthy and
lost his place since which he has ever been kind
of halfway vagrant When under the influence Of
liquor he seems to be afflicted with a sort Of sa-
tanic fit, and imagines himself surrounded by devils
and monsters. His mind is, however, totally free
from any emotions of terror fear, and he regards
the fends his diseased brain conjures constantly
into existence, as 80 many old acquaintance and
even friends. He will hold conversations with
them, and seem to laugh aud Jest with his invis-
BILE companions az if their society was the most
agreeable in the world. His mathematical turn of
mind is also displayed in his talk with the devils;
h has perpetual fancy for adding them up,
opening accounts with them, and going through
various business forms with his unreal customers,
with as much seriousness as if he was dealing with
substantial "solid men,"
Billy is well known in that part of the city once
before referred to- and his manner is so courteous
his language so free from vulgarity, and his de-
pertinent so inohensive that, although his failing
IA well known, poor "Bly Devip gets many word
of kindness and commisseration from those who zee
in him the lamentable wreck of fine mind thrown
from its balance by an unfortunate habit He never
gets DRINK enough to require the interference of a
third person, and was only brought in this time by
an officer new on this beat, who supposed him in
sane and incapable of taking care Of himself Billy
lives upon charity, now and then doing some odd
little job of work, for which he deems a comfort
able meal an ample remuneration. He was brought
before the justice, who asked him his full name.
William Nos, sir, and the devilsare my friends
They good friends, too, sir, and treat me well
much better than men do, for they never tell inc
t. "go away" when am hungry. | love them all,
sir, every one from the big devil there sitting on
the back of your honor's chair, to this little one
in my vest pocket but viii confess that have
peculiar affection for the red.eyed one with
baby-devil in her arms They are not all here, sir,
this morning; they are gone on various errands
for me. One to Harlem for an eggplant; three to
New York for harvest apples one TO the moon for
watercresses one to Africa for a bootja but
the best and dearest one Of them all has gone 10
Sonth Brooklyn for sweet potatoes Seven and
three are ten, and one is eleven, and seven are
eighteen, and six are twenty-four, and nine are
thrtythrcc, and that isn't half If you please, sir
for i know them all, and they are all nv friends.
Bat beg your pardon, sir there's mischieyous
little feud, who hasn't yet cut his teeth, trying to
upset your inkstand he tried, a minute ago, 10
steal the officers club, but the little rascal couldnl
lift Il.
Justice I'm afraid, Billy, that you can't take
care Of yourself very well, and that / shall have
TO send you where you win be kindly treated
Billy. If you think best, sir, certainly but
please let my friends 20 with me. It's true, they're
devils, but then they're merry ones, and VIC are
very happy together You see that one in the
corner, picking his teeth with his tail, he's the one
that sleeps with me and keeps the dogs off, he's
Rmiabe, very, but never could break hun Of steal
ing peanuts don't like to complain of a friend,
hut If your honor would send him up TO the Island
for a little whilc-but then they'd corrupt his
morals. No, on the whole, your honor, think
III try him little longer myself; he's my pet
devil, and don't like TO trust him among the
Irish ] have had an account with him a good
HlhiN Year,, anu Hhtrs AltI All, Nncn come 10
strike balance, il win be slightly in his favor.
During this speech Officer l,OOl has been ex.'
planning TO the judge some Of Billys pecuiaritics,
and the Gunctionary changes his mind.
Judge. Billy, the policeman Informs me that you
always get along without annoying your neighbors,
and seem able TO take care Of yourself so shall
let you go.
Billy. Thank you sir; if you want few devils
to domesticate, can spare you some. I've got
now--let me see--ninety and twenty arc humid
red and ten, and seventy-one are
Judge. No matter, am not keeping housc,
and couldn I make use OF them at present.
Billy. Very well-good morning, sir.
Here the poor fellow started TO leave the room,
and, when brought TO the door, turned aud whis.
tied, as il calling dog and beckoned with his
finger. lie was undoubtedly summouing his
imaginary friends and, although the motion was
in itself mdicfous, there was not a smile on the
face OF single spectator, the halfcrazed man
departed; first removing his hat and including
every person in the room in one comprehensive
parting bow. POOR "Billy Devil" had better
friends in the courtroom than the friends he
seemed 80 implicitly TO trust.
New York paper.