The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-05-10
A FRIENDLY CALL UPON JONAH.

"The Hasheesh Eater" while under the
influence Of his favorite drug. made
friendly call upon an ancient mariner
which call he thus describes
At one time, 10 my ramble through the
realm of incongruities, | came to the strand
&C the Mediterranean, and beheld an ac-
uuaintance Of mine standing by the water
With tourists knapsack upon bis back.
AID a stout umbrella in his hand, to serve
the double purpose Of walking-st'ck, he
drew near and accosted me. "WIll you
90 with me-" said he, ito make call upon
a certain old and valuable friend :"
Most willingly, if yon will let me know
his name"
1T Is the prophet Jonah, who still occu'
pies Submarine lodgings in SITUATION 70
be sure, rather cold and damp, yet com
handing a fine water privilege There
Is nothing" replied (which would please
me more but how is it 10 be accomplish
ed ," "Be patient. and you shall see. -
JUS, then a slight ripple ridged the surface
Of the sea, bubbles appeared, and then
there followed them the black muscle OF
I.eviathan. who with mighty strokes, push
ed towards the shore. Arriving there his
under Jaw slid half way up the beach, aud
his upper law slowly rose like trapdoor,
disclosing "A fearful chasm OF darkness with
IN. | L oled down the throat of the beast,
and beheld descending II a rlckety wooden
staircase. which was evidently the only tca-
sible access to interior apartments. Hard
ly would have dared to trust myself 20
the tumbledown passage but for the impor-
tunate hand of my companion, which press
ed me along beside him through the door
way and down the steps The monster let
down his grisly portcullis behind US, and In
total darkness We grouped to the bottom OF
our way, where We immerged into the most
shabby room that ever dawned upon the
eyes Of the visiting committee of benevo-
lent association.
Tb central figure was an unu.terabiy
lean and woe-begono looking man. who, on
a rush bottomed chair, the only one IN the
room, sat menling his sole pair of uamen-
tionables by the aid of small needle book
which was informed his mother had given
him on leaving home.
"Mr. Jonah, Mr. Fitz Gerald" said my
friend, sententiously. Very happy to
know Mr.. Fitz Gerald" returned the seer
though, as took his lank aud ghostly fin
gers in mine he looked the very antipodes
Of happiness Decayed gentleman as he was,
he shuffied around to do the honors of his
mansion, and offered us the chair in which
he had been sitting. We refused to dis
possess him. and took our seats upon the
shaky pine table. which, with one battered
brazen candestick, holding an inch of Sc
miluminous talow, and dog's-eared copy
of Watts's Hymns, also a gift from his
mother, completed his inventory of furni-
ture.
"How do you like your situation ?" ask
I'd my friend.
"Leaky," replied Jonah; find the eli
mate don't agree with ne. often wish |
hadn't COME
Cant you leave here when you want
to! should think you would clear out if
YOU find it uncomfortable" said | to our
entertainer.
Il have repeatedly asked my landlord to
make out his bill and LIT ne go, replied
the gentleman but he isn't used to east
ing up his prophets. and don't know when
shall get Oft"
Just then. Leviathan. from the top of the
stairs, by strange in'roversion looked down
into his own interiors and in hoarsc voice
called out to know whether We were going
to stay all night, as he wanted to put down
the shutters
BE happy to give you bed, gentlemen
but sleep on the floor myself woetully
murmured the poor seer. You mustn't
neglect to call on me if you ever pass thro'
Joppa, and-and-I ever get back my self y
We wruug Jonah's hand convulsively, rat.
tied up the crazy stairs, and ran out upon
the sand just as Leviathan was about SHOW
ing off into deep water.