The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-11
Sdett. Storp,
A MYSTERIOUS LODGER,
BY BLUNDERBUSS.

street In the house were perhaps half
dozen lodgers-possibly more. As l
seldom visited my room during the day,
and invariably retired at twelve O'Clock,
l rarely met any of my neighbors-or,
if did, it was without knowing them.
With two of my fellow-lodgers became
partially acquainted One was middle>
aged man, occupying room adjoining
mine, and divided from it by thin par
tition. Against that thin boundary. stood
our beds-the middle>aged gentleman's
and rine--not to exceed three inches
apart. The middle-aged gentleman was
welded to the habit of snoring. And
his was peculiar snore; not periodical
murmur, accompanying every fourth or
fifth inspiration, but terrific and unin-
terrupted combination of snorts, groans
and snuffles, with the addition of teeth
grinding; and occasional plunges of the
extremities against the creaking foot>
board. For one week bore up against
the clatter. At length, one night, l
knocked at his door. / was desperate
He rose, struck light, and for the first
time we met face to face. I had prepared
myself to deluge him with sarcasm-to
abuse him with billing sgate-to sink him
abuse. His face was SO round and jovial
and his head so entirely destitute of hair,
that Icould not summon courage to utter
harsh word. For moment, we peere6
silently into each others faces. has
| "CanI do any thing for you?" / in
quired. 5aa alat sa 7slss fs1 l5--a
Smith, for that was his name, must have
read my thoughts-must have known that
he snored--must have been aware Of the
object of my visit-for he smilingly re-
Piled: ~-.t,
Eyes, my friend, join me in glass OF
brandy and water-I have few drops oil
something genuine, Permit me to insist, u
he continued, observing my hesitation,
"you will sleep all the better for it," and
he gave me look, yelling over with
commiseration.
| / meekly followed him to the side board
and we pledged each other in a glass oi
ancie-t vintage. lie then pressed me te
smoke cigar. / could scarcely do less
Sitting on the side of the bed, with hi
rotund visage peeping through a cause o
smoke, and his fat legs swinging good
naturedly. Smith was picture. Togeth9
we would hare afforded an amusing sketcl
for Punch. He talked necessarily, and
before left him, we touched glasses sew
eral times, and firmly resolved that b
might snore, night and day, for a year t.
come, and / would not disturb him.
wrung his hand in an ecstasy of friend
ship, and bade him an affectionate good
night. I tumbled in bed, but tried i
vain to sleep. Smiths brandy was play
> ing strange tricks with my fancy. and
felt as though something was whispering
as to Macbeth" "Sleep no mo-e!''
: lit a candle and found it was two O'Clock
Irritated at my wakefulness, 1 drew on m
clothes, and was soon in the street. Th
moon rode high in the heavens, and th
night was beautiful as q poets dream
Strolling along the street as far as Cla..
! suddenly turned the corner, and encour
tered crowd of half.drunken rowdie
standing in front of house they ha
either just left, or were about to enter ]
the act of retracing my steps, I hear
some one exclaim, in q boyish tone:
"Not to night, gentlemen; some oth'
b time; but not tonight; please excu'
me-" iL1uaj aa5 j. azg & Jc h5tga
The speaker, in passing along IL
street, had been stopped by the rowdie
! and invited to drink.
l"Bah," exclaimed number of voice
"You must come up to the scrateh-eitl
er drink or 6ght.'; a ds .
But gentlemen, I can not" insiste
the stranger struggling to free himse
from the grasp of his prosecutors. II CO
neither drink nor fight, tonight. I a
not wellp III b5gos5asr, =.
'Gammonv' growled the party, a
tempting to force him into the house.
felt that, as a eonservator Of the pea
and champion of society, it was my du
to interfere Smiths brandy told me S
a and furnished the, nerve, in addition,
y carry out the resolution. Stalking quie
l. ly in upon the crowd, I laid my hal
upon the boys shoulder, and request'
J. him to follow. me. He turned to compl
e when, "@Give him onel' yelled one of t
i rowdies, and the next moment I receiv'
n Ia blow in the back of the neck, and foul
myself leaning against the side of a hous
, / was not stunned, but eKasperated b
yond measure. The liquor of my bal
a headed fellow-lodger steeled my nerves
= action, and I threw myself into posi!i'
'e of defense. Not doubling my perfe
)" ability to scatter that crowd over an &C
Of ground, 1 invited the unequal con;es
" The appearance of a policeman spar
the impending slaughter, for the par
= suddenly left the field. My companit
, informed the officer Of what had occurre
and he started in pursuit of the retreatil
;. rowdies, enjoining us to find the way
: our lodgings. Taking the arm of the la
we proceeded toward my room. He W