Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-19
miscellaneous.
MY ONLY ADVENTURE.
by A DENTIST.

1t is no use to ask me for ghost sto-
ry for, though have stayed in nearly
every town in England of any size, l
have met with none. Railways have put
haunted chambers out of fashion. Fancy
ghost being bold enough to venture in
to one OF our vast hotels There is not
single white-robed customer that would
have the impudence to do it. Ghosts
lived in the old coaching days and dwelt
in the quaint waysidc inns; and | ncve.
was lucky enough to have bed-curtains
disturbed by invisible hands; but | am
not ashamed to own that once got a
terrible fright.
In my early days, T. like many of my
profession --trayeled from place to place,
just remaining in each long enough to poe
ket all the spare cash the inhabitants were
willing to expeud on dental ornaments.
Sometimes | made a large town the ceE-
tire of my operations, and remained in it
for months, visiting the lesser ones in
the neighborhood at stated days 1t was
in one Of our largest manufacturing towns
in the west Of England that l met with
the adventure am going to give you.
had been uncommonly successful,
and had made long stay in the place on
that account-indecd, | had spent some
months there when it happened. / had
excellent lodgings, and occupied three
apartments sitting room, and sort of
reception room for patients, on the ground
floor, and irst-foor bedroom, all facing
the street. | always worked in the last
named apartment, and had the necessary
tools and materials on little bench near
the window. Here | generally took my
station, and spent the time from six or
seven in the evening till midnight, as
was then less liable to interruption
My apartments wero all furnished with
gas-Durners, and before winter set in,
added gas-stoye to my bedroom, that
my working there might cause no need
less trouble or expense to my landlady.
One evening, being very busy, / sat
later than usual, and when at length my
task was done, | drew my chair close to
the stove, and sat half an hour reading
before 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 or
ders, had been particularly well supplied
with the precious metal in this form,
ever since | came to town. Moreover, !
was by no means deficient in those pieces
which bear likeness Of our most gra-
cious Sovereign. Being particularly
weary, and intending to recommence my
labors early in the morning, / did not
trouble myself to put away my materials,
But | was careful to examine the fasten-
ings Of my door; and this duty done, /
oxtinguishcd the fire and light and got
into bed.
/ fell asleep instantly, and had some
what luAierous dream | fancied myself
n keeper in the geological Gardens, which
| had visited few days before, and that
whilst handing some food to my especial
charges, (the bears,) / overbalanced
and was just tumbling into the pit among
the grizzly brutes, when the shock awoke
me.
Again / dozod off, but only to get
amongst the bears once more. thought
tremendous specimen, a perfect Ursa
Major, had just been purchased, and that
to me was entrusted the task Of tanning
the monster.
No pleasant thing, even in a dream,
particularly at that moment, and in the
incomprehensible manner only to be ac-
coinplished in sleep. the scene shifted to
my bedroom, and | found myself stand
ing, en- cheDise, without any means of
defence, against the precious creature
advancing open-mouthed. | thought
leaped on my bench, seized the blind
roller, and as he advanced dealt tre-
mendous blow at him. But, alas he
eluded it with the dexterity Of an accom-
plished fencer, and /, losing my balancc,
topplcd head first to the ground. The