Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-10-10
Western Annoyances.

Judge J., who has recently
returned from tour In the West. re-
l.tes an anecdote Illustrating the hor'
rors 10 which travellers In that region
ARE exposed. In his passage 10 one OF
the rivera. he fell In company with a
talkatiye lady and gentleman, TO whom
no was relating SONS OF his suiierings
from mosquitoes.
f"IIusband." said tho lady, to the
gentleman owning that title. you had
better tell the gentleman about the
man we met--'in Iowa"
The hint was sutIicienlt aud "hus.
band" proceeded to say that. ~
"In their travels further Westward.
they made acquaintance OF q stalwari,
rolickihg. western hooslcr. one Of the
genius that could whip bis weight 10
wiIdcals;' but who possessed fund OF
quiet humor. On one occasion they
had stopped nj hotel In the interior.
not OF the most inviting appearance.
They wtrc shown TO their rooms, the
hoosIcr at one end. and tho lady and
gentleman at the other. OF n 10 N hall
About midnight. the drowsy couple
we're strrIltd by tho report OF 1re-
arms. p,oeeeding from the end Of tho
hall occupied by their travelling cola.
paaion. Both started up In bed. and
began TO speculate on the probable
cause OF this unlImely alarm, when
they heard a rushing OF feet. and n
confusion Of voices In the hall. On
going 10 the door. the gentleman
found the whole household, heedeu
by The landlord. rushing In the dIrec.
lion Of the report. Ills curiosity I'D
him 10 Join this midnight procession.
aad he arrived with lhe real. Ia front
Of the boosters door The landlord
tried the latch. but found Il fast.
whereupon. In \ loud voice. he deman.
ded instant admission.
."'wha. do you wanls' roared the
hoosler. a.. Iim
"'Want 10 come Inp said tho land
lord.
"Can't do ilr was the response
from within. lis my room, and I'm
10 brd-ean't come in.' s taF"
"'Lel me inl shouted tho landlord,
IN louder tone. al the same time sha-
king the door violently, 'or i''l break
the door down. H' tp $3.50
"'iiold onp exclaimed the voice
within. IN open the door, 500
!, "'rhe door was SOON opened, when
In rushed the whole party. expecting
10 see the tloor covered with bloc -
what was their surprise to hnd every
thing In It's proper place, and the hoo
sier calm and unconecrned. A revol-
yer was lying carelessIy upon the
bed.
"Who fred that pisiol?' demanded
the landlord. 4pfsf
IL did 7 was the reply.
"What for?' .n
"The hoosier stepped to the bed.
and. throwing down the covering.
said,
"'Look here! DO you see ths.'
"The attention OF the party was at
once directed to the point indicated,
aad there, over the whole surface OF
the sheet. bed bugs were scampering
in every direction. like d flock Of sheep
frightened by a dog. fhc landlord
was chagrined and puzzled. and look-
ed At the lodger for an explanation.
a,"These.' began the hoosier, slraigh-
tening up to his full height. and ges.
ticulating with his right hand in a
grandiloquent style. these are are my
friends l have settled an armistice
with them. and we are on friendly
terms; but on the window-sill there.
just outside. you will find two internal
big fellers that / couldn't do anything
with. and sol just put a bnllet through
'em. But it's all right now. IT'S all
understood between me and my friends
here. and we shall get along well
enough now Tt.sf
III is needless to add. that the land
lord retired to his own bed, visibly
crest-fallen. while the spectators EN-
joyed hearty laugh"