Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-10-19
Desperation.

The following is a passage from the vert
laughable tale Of Desperation" one Of thu
richest articles whichsre embraced In tn,
literary remains Of the late Gaylord Clark
1t is only necessary TO premise that th'
author is Philadelphia student, who, aftel
a stolen fortnight amid the gaities Of ,
Washington season, finds himself, (thrcugf
the relnissness of a chum, at Baltimore, or
his way home, without penny in bis pOck
ct. lie stops at fashionable hotsl, never
theless, where, after tarrying day or two
he finally, at the heel Of a great dinner,
'cn,ne sotus," 10 his private apartment
fanked with abundant Champagne and
Burgundy. resolves to disclose all to tho
landlord. SummOning servant, he said
Ask the landlord to step up to my room
and bring his BILL"
He clsttered down stairs laughing. and
shorty after his master appeared H. en-
tered with generous smile, that madc me
hope for ''the host his house afforded, and
that. just then, was credit.
How much do owe you?" said |.
/ He handed me the bill with all the grace
OF private expectancy.
Let me see-seventeen dollars. How
very reasonable. But, my dear sir, the
most disagreeable part Of the matter is now
to be disclosed. | grieve to inform you that
at present am out of money, and l know,
by your philanthropic looks, that you will
be satisfied when tell you that il l had it,
would give 1t to you with unquali-
fed pleasure But you see, my not having
the change by me, is the reason cannot do
1t, and am sure you will let the matter
stand and say no more about it. | am a
stranger to YOU that's fact, but in the
tNla p II ar,,a fra,,, all inf
know me as easy as can be-"
The landlord turned all colors
Where do you live, and how?"
I'm Washing-I should say in Philadel-
His eyes flashed with angry disappoint.
ment
81 see how it is, mister; my opinion is
that you are blackleg. You don't know
where your home Isl you begin with Wash
ington and then drop it for Philadelphia
You must pay your bill. :"
But can't"
Then I'll take your clothes; if l don't,
blow me tight"
"Scoundrel," said I, rising bold upright,
do it if you dare, and leave the rest for
me-"
There were no more words. He arose
deliberately. seized my hat and my only in,
expressibles, and walked down stairs.
Physicians say that two excitements can't
exist at the same time in one system. Ex-
ternal circumstances drove away, almost
Immediately, the confusion of my brain.
1 rose and looked out of the window
The snow was descending as / drummed on
the pane. What was to do. An unhap
py sans culottes in strange city; no money,
and slightly inebriated. A thought struck
me. l had large, full cloak, which all my
other appointments, save those he took, the
laulerd had spared. 1 dressed Immediately,
drew on my boots over my fair drawers, not
unlike small clothes; put on my cravat,
vest and coat, laid travelling cap from my
trunk jauntiy over my forehesd, and finging
my ine long mantle gracefully about me,
made my way through the hall into the
street.
Attracted by the shining lamps Of the
portico of a new hotel, few squares from
my first lodging, entered, recorded
some name on the books, and bespoke bed,
Every thing was fresh and neat, every SER
want attentive, all asgured we'll l kept
myself closely cloakcd, puffed cigar, and
retired to bed to mature my plot.
Waiter, just brush my clothes we'll, my
fine fellow" said [, in the morning, as he
entered my room ''mind the pantaloons,
don't spill anything from the pockets
there is money in both" "
II don't see the pantaloons
The devil you don't. Where are
theyT
me God"
Go down, sir, and tell ysur master to
come here Immediately"
Ths publican was with me in moment.
had arisen and worked my face before the
mirror into iendish look of passion,
Landlord |" exclaimed 1, with fierce
gesture, II have been robbed in ysur house
robbed, sir-robbed my pantaloons and
a purse containing three ffty dollar nete.,
are gone! This is a pretty hotel. Is this
the way you fulfil the injunctions of Scrip
ture ?-I ana stranger, and been taken in
With q vengance. will expose you at once
it am not recompensed." -.
Pray keep your temper, y replied the
publican. 81 have just opened this house,
and it is getting good run would you
ruin its reputation by an accideDtp l will
find out the villain who robbed you, and
will send for tailor to measure vow for
your missing garments. Your money shall
be refunded. Do you see that your anger
is useless?"
my dear SIR" replied, II thaak yeu
for your kindness, 1 did net mean to reproach
you. IF those trowsers can be done to day,
| shall be satisfied; time is more precious
than money. You may keep the others if
you find them, and in exchange for the one
hundred and fifty dollars which ysu give me
the contents are yours"
The next evening, with new inexpressbles
and one hundred and forty dollars in my
pocket, called upon my guardian in Phil
adelphia for sixty dollars. He gave it with
a lecture on collegiate dissipation, that |
shall not soon forget, | enclosed the money
back to my honorable landlord by the first
post, settled my other bill at old Crustys,
the first publican, and got my trunk by
rail. . ''i .|'faF