The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-03
A Night Adventure.

lodgings being in the Rue Richeleu. One
day | went to dine with an old friend, who
was about leaving the great city, and before
l could tear myself away from the jolly com
pany it was one o'clock in the morning. Al
any other time should not have cared a
straw about this, but have walked on quietly
to my lodging but now knew that would
be of no use. Ganache, the porter of the
house in which | lodged, to save himself a
little trouble, had detained my letters of a
morning till l came down, instead of sending
them by the garcon to my room on the fourth
floor, and l had qaarreled with him in conse
quence, and given notice to quit at the end
OF my month. Since my quarrel he had used
me savagely, and knew he was no more
likely to let me in after one o'clock than lie
was to pay my tailor's bill. This reflection
brought me to stand still. What should
doo Where should go? To increase my
chagrin it began to rain in rather sharp
shower. Iustinctively faced about, ran
across the place, and got under shelter of the
piazzas in the Rue de Castiglione, just in
time to save myself from drenching torrent
which burst on the street like water-spout
was walking up and down in the dark, tax.
ing counsel of myself, until the storm should
cease, when l stumbled and tripped ovel
something lying crouched up at the foot oi
apillar.
is that you, Janin % said rather whining
voice, which seemed to proceed from some
one in the act of waking from sleep.
NO. said l, 'it isn't Janin. Who are you
Why are you lying here at this time of the
night?'
I'm paurre arengler said he q am wait
ing for my comrade, who has gone to the
spectacle, and, while he is getting his fill o.
it, take my pastime upon the cold stones
thought it a grim sort of a joke, and told
him should think more of Janin if he Wa.
more considerate for his friend.
The poor blind wretch did not agree witt
me, and, to my surprise, began vindicatins
the character of Janin.
You see, M'sieu,' he said, if am bliEt
Janin has good eyesight, and why should h,
not enjoy it ? He may as well be blind as
if he is to see nothing. One should not bs
selfish, although one is unfortunate
While he was speaking, and was inno
Gently admiring his simple magnanimity, ia
min came up at a quick pace, and chanting (
lively ditty.
What, my old philosopher SO YOU hav,
company, he said 4 am afraid must dis
turb your conference
Make no apology for that, pray said
} 'but if you can direct mt TO Il lodging shal
feel obliged
you are English said Janin. There i
: an English house in the Rue de rOdeon
) which is always open till two; if YOU maxi
for the Point Neut at once, and step out, 70,
Will Oe there III SOOu TIME.
Good night, then, my lads, and away
: trudged at a round pace for Point Neuf-
J crossed it in pelting shower, and made N,
: way to the the Rue rOdeon.
: accounted myself fortunate in reachin.
} the house few minutes before the hour fo
closing the door, but found tina: had no
: SO much cause for consratulation as had i'm
I agined, as the only accommodation the land
: lady could offer me was small truckle-bet
in two-bedded room, already bespoken 70
, the night by previous conner.
y Being wet through by the rain, and feelin;
that should not mend matters by lookin;
: further, | was fain to make a virtue of neces
S sty, aid accept the truckle bed. Moreover
wishing to get out of my damp clothes a
quickly as possible, asked for a candle, an,
S was forthwith shown up to the domitory
l which l found was up four flights of stair,
| lost no time in getting between the sheets
r but had no intention of going to sleep unit
| knew at least what sort of subject was !:
be companion of my slumbers. So | took
}, book from my pocket, and placing candl
' on the chair by the bedside, began to read
: resolved to keep my lamp burning, and nv
t self awake, until the sound of footsteps o.
the stairs should apprise me of the approac
r of the stranger. After the lapse of abou
half an hour the sounds was listening fo
approached, and then, clapping the extir
: guisher on the light, lay back, half close
e my eyes, and affected to sleep.
: The figure that now entered the room wa
not at all a fascinating one. to my view, 8
f least. He was a man about fve-and- -thirt,
e jauntily garbed in one of the pea-green, hig
4 colored surtouts current among the fast me
r who affected Luxembourg quarter of the Pa
D is of that day, but which surtout, like tn
= rest of his garments, seemed to have run a
T. too suddenly to seed. There was somethin
e boozy and vicious in the expression of hi
l. face, which, spite of ferce-ooking mou
8 tache, gave one the idea OF meanness an
l. servility, coupled with reckless kind of br
vado, which smacked rather of swagger tina
of daring, and in every feature there was tt
s impress of debauchery and irtemperance.-
y He uttered brief, commonplace greeting
he entered the room. but fndinu T took r
!. notice Of it, concluded l was asleep, and sa
no more.