Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-09-22
A MYSTERIOUS LOGGER.
BY oLUNDERBUs.

street. In the house perhaps was half {
dozen dodgers possibly more AS visited
my room during the day, and invariably
retired at twelve o'clock, | rarely met an,
| Of my neighbors or if | did, it was without
knowing them. With two Of M fellow
dodgers became partially acquainted
One was middled-aged man, occupying 4
room adjoining mine, and divided from il
| by thin partition. Against that thin
boundary stood our beds, the middle-aged
genileman's and mine 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 OF
fifth inspiration but a terrific and uninter-
rupted combination of snorts groans and
snuffles, with the addition ofteeth-grilding
occasional plunges ofthe extremities against
the creaking foot board. For one week
bore up against the clatter. At length one
night knocked at his door. 1t was desper-
ate. He rose, struck a light and for the first
time met face to face. had prepared my
self to deluge him with sarcasm, to abuse
him with billingsgate to sink him with
abuse. His face was so round and iovial,
and his head so entirely destitute Of hair
that could not summon courage to utter
a harsh word. For moment, we peered
silently into each Others faces
"Can do anything for y9u!" I inquir-
ed. s
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 ior he smilingly replied :
Eyes my friend, join me in glass Of
brandy and water, | have few drops of
something genuine. Permit me to insist, +"
he continued, observing my hesitation; "you
will sleep all the better for il" and he gave
me a look, swelling over with commisera-
ton.
meekly followed him to the side board
and we pledged each other in gloss of
ancient vintage. He then pressed me to
smoke cigar. could scarcely do less. -
Sitting on the side Of the bed, with his 70
tund Yisage, peeping through a gauze of
smoke and his fat legs swinging good ma
turedly, Smith was a picture. Together
we would have afforded an amusing sketch
for Punch He talked necessarily and be-
fore left him we touched glasses several
times and | firmly resolved that he might
snore night and day, for year to come
and I would not disturb him. wrung
his hand in an ecstacy of friendship, and
babe him AN affectionate goodnight -
Smiths brandy was playing strange tricks
with my fancy and felt as if something
was whispering as to Macbeth, "Sleep no
morer7 / lit a candle and found it was
two o'clock. Irritated at my wakefulness,
drew On my clothes, and was soon in the
street. Themoon rode highin the heavens,
and the light was beautiful as poets dream.
Strolling along the street as far as Clay, |
suddenly turned the corner and encounter
ed crowd of half-drunken rowdies stand
inc in front Of house they had either just
! left, or were about to enter. In the act OF
retracing my steps, | heard some one exr
claim, in a boyish tone:
mot tonight, gentlemen, some other
time; but not tonight; please excuse me. "
The speaker in passing along the street,
had been stopped by the rowdies, and invit-
ed TO drink.
"Bah," exclaimed number Of voices,
"You must come up to the scratch, either
drink or fight
ssBut, gentlemen, Iseannot," insisted tie
stranger, struggling to free himself from
the grasp Of his prosecutors, 81 can Meth
er drink nor fgh TO night. am not
wellm
Cannon = growled the party, attempt
ing to force him into the house.
| felt that, as a conseryator Of the peace
and champion Of society, it was my duty to
interfere. S.nith's brandy told me 50, and
furnished the nerve, addition, to carry out
the resolution. Stalking quietly in upon
the crowd, | laid my hand upon the boys
shoulder, and requested him to follow me.
Returned to comply, when, "Give him one !
yelled one Of the rowdies, and the next mo-
ment ] received blow in the back OF the
neck, and found myself leaning against the
side of house. / was not stunned. but
exasperated beyond measure. The liquor
Of nv bald-headed fellow-lodger steeled my
nerves to action, and threw myself into a
position Of defense. Not doubling my per-
fat ability to scatter that crowd over an
acre Of ground, invited the unequal con
Itsst. The appearance Ct q policeman spar
ed The impending slaughter, for the party
suddenly left the field. Ny companion IN
formed the officer of v hat had occurred
and he started in pursuit Of the retreatlne
rowdies, enjoining us to find the way to ou'
lodgings. Taking the arm OF the lad, w'
proceeded toward my room. lie was
pale-faced, interesting looking young maj
81 perhaps eighteen or nineteen years, re
markably well bred and intelligent. III
Twas dressed in GOOD taste, without affecting
any of the airs Of maturer years, and / wa
quite taken with him, He told me hi
name was Richard Jansen that he wa
alone in California, but not without means
that he lived on Stockton street, an, visit
ing friend that evening, had been detaln
J Ell to that unusual hour. In a few mo
! ments we arrived at my lodgings, and Oh
! served that heeyinced little inclination t