The weekly Butte record., 1863-02-14
a Mysterious Ledger.

In September, 1852. occupied s. room in 4
two story frame bailding on Stockton street.
In the house were perhaps hall dozen lodg-
ers, possibly more. As l seldom visited my
room during the day, and invariably retired at
twelve o'clock. rarely met any Of my neigh
bors-or, if l did. it was without knowing
them. With two of my fellow-lcdgers l be
came partially acquainted. Oue was middle
aged man, occupying a room adjoining mine,
and divided from it by thin partition
Against this 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 peculiar suore not periodical
murmur, accompanying every fourth or fifth
inspiration, blt a terrific and uninterrupted
combination of snorts, groans aud sGutfies, with
the addition Of teeth grinding, and occasional
plunges of the extremities against the creaking
foot board. For one week l bore up against
the clatter. At length, one night, | knocked
against his door. was desperate. He rose.
struck light, and for the first time we met
face to face. 1 had prepared myself to deluge
him with sarcasm-to abuse him with billings
gate, to sink him with abuse. His face was
SO round and jovial, and his head so entirely
destitute of hair, that l could not summon
courage to utter harsh word. For a moment
we peered silently into each others faces.
Can l do anything for you ?" | inquired
Smith, for this was his name, must have
read my thoughts-must have known that he
snored-must have been aware of the object of
my VISITOR he smilngly replied
Yes, my friend join me in a glass of bran
dy and water-I have a few drops of some
thing genuine. Permit me to insist" he con
tinued, observing my hesitation; you will
sleep all the better for it" and he gave me o
look yelling over with commisseration.
I meekly followed him to the side board
and We pledged each other in glass of ancient
vintage. He then pressed me to smoke cigar
I could scarcely do less. Sitting on the side of
the bed, with his rotund visage peeping thrO
a gauze of smoke, and bis fat legs swinging
good-naturedly. Smith was picture. Together
we would have afforded an amusing sketch for
Punch. He talked incessantly and before
left him we touched glasses several times, and
I firmly resolved that he might snore night and
day, for a year TO come, and l would not dis
turb him. l wrung his hand in an ecstacy of
friendship, and bade him an afectionate good
night | tumbed In bed, but tried in vain to
sleep. Smiths brandy was playing strange
tricks upon my fancy, and l felt as though
something was whispering, as to Macbeth,
sleep no more" | lit candle and found it
was two o'clock. Irritated at my wakefulness,
drew on my clothes, and was soon in the
street. The moon rode high in the heavens,
and the night was as beautiful as a poets
dream. Strolling along the street as far as
Clay, I suddenly turned the corner and eucoun-
tered a crowd of half drunken rOwdies, stand
ing in front Of house they had either left, or
were about to enter. Inthe act of retracing
my steps, heard some one exclaim in a boyish
tone:
Not to night, gentlemen, some other time,
but not tonight please excuse me-"
The speaker in passing the street, had been
stopped by the rowdies. and invited TO drink.
Bah :" exclaimed number of voices, you
must come the scratch-either drink or fight"
But, gentlemen, l cannot" insisted the
stranger, struggling to free himself from the
grasp Of his prosecutors, can neither fight
nor drink tonight. l am not well"
Cannon :" growled the party, attempting
to force him into the house.
l felt, as a conservator of the peace and
champion of society, it was my duty to inter-
fere. Smiths brandy told me so aud furnished
the nerve, in addition, to carry out the resolu-
tion. Stalking qaietly in upon the crowd, l
laid my hand upon the boys shoulder, and re-
quested him 10 follow me- He turned to COM
ply, when, " Give him one :" yelled one of the
rowdies, and the next moment l received
blow in the back of the neck, and found myself
leaning against the side of house. l was not
stunned, but exasperated beyond measure
The liquor of my bald headed fellow lodger
steeled my nerves to action, aud threw my
self into position of defence. Not doubling
my perfect ability to scatter that crowd over
an acre Of ground. l invited to unequal con-
test. The appearance of a policeman spared
the impending slaughter, for the party sudden
ly left the field. My companion informed the
officer of what had occurred, and he started in
pursuit of the retreating rowdies, enj0iuing US
to find the way TO our lodgings. Taking the
arm of the lad we proceeded toward my room.
He was pale faced. interesting looking young
man Of perhaps eighteen or nineteen years, re
markably well-br and intelligent He was
dressed 10 good taste, without affecting any Of
the airs of maturer years, and was quite "a
ken with him. He told me his name was