Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-11-14
THE MYSTERIOUS LoDGER.

THE MYSTERIOUS L0DGER.
In September, 1852, / occupied room in a
two story frame building on Stockton street,
San Francisco, in which were perhaps half a
dozen lodgers--possbly more. AS | seldom
visited my room during the day, and invaria-
bly, retired at twelve O'Clock, rarely met any
of my neighbors-or, if l did, it was without
my knowing them. With two of my fellow
dodgers became partially acquainted. Ore
was middie-aged man, occupying room ad-
joining mine, and divided from it by thin
PARTITION. Against that thin boundary stood
our beds-the middle-aged gentleman's and
mine-not to exceed three inches apart. The
middle-aged gentleman was welded to the
habit of snoring. And his was a peculiar
snore, not periodical accompanying every
fourth fifth Inspiration, but q terrific and
uninterrupted combination of snoits, groanS
and snuffies, with the addition of teeth grind
ing and occasional plunges of the extremites
against the creaking foot board. For week
| stood mp against the latter. At length.
knocked at the door. l desperate. He
rose, struck light, and for the first time we
met face to face. l had prepared myself to
deuge him with Sarcasm-to abuSe him with
Bilngsgatc--to sink him with abuse. His
face was round and jrvial. and his head so
tirey destitute of hair, that could not sum-
mon courage to utter single harsh word.
For 4 moment peered into each others
faces.
"Can do anything for you ~ l inquired.
Smith, for that was his name, must have
read my thoughts-must have known be snor
ed-must have been aware of the object of my
vSit-for he immediately replied:
ssYes, my friend, join me in glass of BRAN
dy and water-I have a few drops of something
genuine. Permit me to insist,' he continued,
observing my hesitation, s.you will sleep all
the better for il, and he gave look swelling
over with commiseration.
/ meekly followed him to his sideboard, and
we pledged each other in a glass of ancient
vintage. He then pressed me to smoke ci-
gar. could scarcely do less. Sitting on the
side of the bed, with his rotund visage peer
ing through gauze OF smoke, and his fat
legs swinging good naturedly, Smith was a
picture. Together would have afforded an
amusing sketch for Punch. He talked inces-
sanity and before lett him we touched glasses
several times, and resolved that he might
snore, night and day, for year to come, and
| would not disturb him. wrung his hand in
ecstacy OF friendship, and bade him affec
tiOnate good night. Smiths brandy was play
ing strange tricks with my fancy and felt as
though something was whispering. as though
o'sMacbeth''-s.Sleepn no more % / lit can
die, and found it was two O'Clock. Irritated
at my wakefulness, drew my clothes and
Was soon in the street. The moon rode high
in the heavens, and the night was beautiful as
poets dream. Strolling around the streets
AS tar as Clay, | suddenly turned the corner
and encountered crowd of half drunken
rowdies standing in front of house they had
either just left or were about to enter In the
act of retracing my steps, heard some one
exclaim in boyish tone -
IN OF to night, gentleman, some other time
but not tonight; please excuse me.''
The speaker in passing along the street had
been stopped by the rowdies, and invited to
drink.
sBab - exclaimed number of voices ssyou
must come to the scratch-either drink or
fght.''
"But, gentlemen, cannot,' insisted the
stranger, struggling to free himself from the
grasp OF his prosecutors. 81 neither
drink nor fight tonight; / am hot well.''
"Gammonn' growled the party, attempting
10 force him into the house
felt that. as a conservator of the peace and
champion OF society, it was my duty to inter-
iere. Smiths brandy told me so, aud furnish.
ed the nerve, in addition, to carry out the res
olution. Stalking quietly IN upon the crowd,
l laid my hand upon the boys shoulder, and
requested him to follow me. He turned to
comply, when ssGive him one 20 yelled one of
the rowdies and the next moment / received
blow on the back of the neck land found my
self leaning against the side of a house. l
was not stunned. but exasperated beyond meas
ure. The liquor of my bald headed fellow
iodger steeled my nerves to action, and l
doubling my perfect ability to scatter the
crowd over an acre of ground, invited the
unequal contest. The appearance of police
man saved the impending slaughter, for the
party suddenly left the field. My companion
informed the officer of what had occurred,
ana he started in pursuit of the retiring row.
uies'enloinlng us to fight the way to our lodg-
lngs. laRlng the arm of the lad, we proceed
ed towards my room. He was pale faced, |
lnteiigent looking young man of perhaps
eighteen or nineteen years of age, remarka.
Oily well-bred and intelligent He was dress |
cd In good taste without affecting any of the |
airs of maturer years, and was quite taken
with him. He told me at once that his name
was Richard Janson that be was alone in |
Saiiiornia, but not without means /; that he |
!Feo IN Stockton street, and visiting a friend !
'Ils evening, had been detained to that unusu- |
q hour. In few moments We arrived at my !
;Oughgs, and observing that be evinced little |
.aoihation .aion to part with me, invited him to
s.Iepl sip portion of my bed for the night. He |
niIingiy nan declined, stating that he was quite
tir,s as MS owns and then learned, for the first
aug 'nat he occupied room in the same