Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-13
MY ONLY ADVENTURE.
BY A DENTIST,

tnOugh nave stayed IN nearly every town in
England of any size, / have met with none
Railways have put haunted chambers out OF
fashion. Fancy ghost being bold enough to
venture into one Of our vast hotels, There is
not a single white robed customer that would
have the impudence to do it. Ghosts lived in
the old coaching days, and dwelt in the quaint
wayside inns aud never was lucky enough
10 have my bed-curtains disturbed by iaviSi-
bic hands ,; but am not ashamed to own that
once got terrible fright.
In my early days, Like many Of my pro-
fessiOn-traveled from place TO place, Just re-
naming in each long enough to pocket all the
spare cash the inhabitants were willing to
expend on dental ornaments. Sometimes |
made a large town the centre of nv operation g
and remained in il for months, visiting the les
ser ones in the neighborhood on stated days
Ii was in one of our largest manufacturing
towns in the west Of England that met with
the adventure L am going to give you.
had been uncOmmonly successful, and had
made long stay in the place on that account
indeed, had spent some months there when
it happened. had excellent lodgings, and
occupied three apartments a sitting room and
sort OF receptiOn-room for patients, on the
ground floor, and a first floor BEDROOM all
facing the street 1 always worked in the last
named apartment, and had the necessary tools
and materials on little bench near the win
dow. Here generally took my station, and
=
ing till midnight, as was then less liable to
interruption
My apartments were all furnished with gas
burners, and before winter set in, I added n
2as-stoye to my bedroom, that my working
there might cause no needless trouble or ex-
Pense to my landlady. One evening, being
very busy. sat later than usual. and when at
length my task was done, drew my chair close
10 the stove, and sat half an hour reading be-
fore extinguishing my light. You are aware
that we made use of gold plates and wire in
fastening artificial teeth and in consequence
OF my numerous orders, L had been particular
ly well supplied with the precious metal in
this form, ever since came to the town. More
over, L was by no means deficient in those
pieces which bear a likeness of our most gra
e1ous Sovereign. Being particularly weary.
nxnd intending to reconmence my labors early
= In the morning, did not trouble myself to put
away my materials. But was careful to ex-
anime the fastenings of my door; and this du ty
done. extinguished the fire and light and got
into bed.
l fell asleep instantly, and had a somewhat
ludicrous dream. l fancied myself a keeper
In the Geological Gardens, which had visited
few days before, and that whilst handing
some food to my especial charges, (the bears. J
L Overbalanced. and was just tumbling into the
pit amongs; the grizzly brutes, when the shock
awOke me.
Again L dOzed of, but only to get amongst
the bears once more thought a tremendous
specimen, perfect Ursa Major, had just been
purchased, snd that to me WAS entrusted the
task of tanning the monster.
No pleasant thing, even in a dream particu
larry at that moment. and in the incompre-
& ishens1b}e manner only to be accomplished in
9 steep, the scene shifted TO my bedroom. and
: sf6and myself standing, rn chemise, without
& tsNy mesns OF defence, against the precious
y ersetsre advancing Open-mOuthed. l thought
II Va mall tk,
and rs he advanced dealt a tremendous blow
at him. But, alas. he eluded it with the dex-
terity of an accomplished fencer. and / losing
my balance, toppled head first to the ground
The brute sprang upon me. He tugged--and
so did with might and main. L was getting
the worst OF it, when, suddenly recollecting
that any sort of attack is lawful, and that one
may be permitted to waive ceremony with a
bear, seized the creatures ear between my
teeth, and bit the piece completely out. He
dropped me like a hot potato. The ludicrously
pitiful howl, and the way in which he applied
the paw just taken from my waist, to bis
wounded ear, was too much.
L burst into perfect roar of laughter and
60 much noise did l make, that it awOke me
was still laughing at this whimsical vision
and wondering if it had any reference to an
apprentice who was to come under my care on
the morrow, and who was, truly, as uncouth a
looking cub s any gentleman need have to lick
make no noise-but a sort of uneasy grunt
then yawn, such "a person emits when di.-
turbed frOm sound sleep. listened attentive
ly, lying perfectly still, and, in a moment dis
tincuy felt something move below the bed
knew no one could have entered after laid
down, as L am a light sleeper and the door
was too well secured to be opened without
noise. L therefore felt sure they had been
under the bed before [ commenced working
and having fallen asleep, been awakened by
the boisterous1aughter which had also dispelled
my own dream.
set foot on the floor i should be se 'zed, and
what could Ia little fellow, almost naked and
unarmed-do against one or perhaps more,
doubtless prepared for struggle?
Oddly enough, the remembrance of my dream
gave me courage. had loaded pistols in the
room, and, once out Of bed, should be abe to
ssise them in n moment. | resolved to leap
=, oAtand secure the weapons before lighting the
~ ESs Sncs L, being, as | presumed, better ac-
ssatnted with the arrangement of the furni-
fAfea light manage in the dark to elude my
a antagonist. These though ats occupied but fe W
Ilaseoonds. In as many more, the pistols were in
my hand, and the gas Lighted. The intruder
-. me courage. / boldly commanded that indi-
sa5idual to advance, and take the chance Of a
oa Sullet. Something Immediately began to move,
= 3fhd soon saw the cause Of my alarm. What
was it, think you! You cannot guess. i will
tell you ii was woman, L see you are all
beginning to laugh; and suppose you think
there is some long story i'll the case; and that q
damsel, beautiful as a HoNri, or a heroine
which is all the ssme--whom had wooed only
to betrsy, had concealed herself there TO re-
proaeh me with my broken VOWS, etc, etc
All wrong. The deuce bit Of romance i.
there in the whole affair. Had you seen the
coarse. suilen, ill-favored woman who stood be
fore me, wrapped in dingy plaid shawl, you
would not suspect such thing; especially q:
you have seen specimen Of my taste In the
shape Of the lady who bears my name.
After all, the scene was drul enough Thel,
stoOn i shivering In my night hsbiliments
pistol in hand, ready tu interrogate my visitor
She looked carving knives IN return; but DO
seeming the least shocked at my -canty gar
ments though evidently desirons of tnrnin,
her back both on them and on the wearcr UI
looking, L thought her fe atures seemed familiar
and recOllected she had lived sery ant in th
house; but my landlady, suspecting her Of :