The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-19

weighed near half ton,
With a face broad-sproad, and radiant with
jollitv and fun,
Or reflections from the sun.
Then sat me in the portal, while mine
host, the red-nosed mortal,
Waddled back into the kitchen, and in tones
seem'd touch by fear,
Thus addresseda a red-haired woman, a tall,
raw-boned, sulky human,
Who was doing DER short clay-pipe and
pot Of table beer,
There is company arrived, git some sup
per up, my dear"
1t was music in my ear.
Soon barn-yard fowls were cackling-soon
the kitchen fire was cracking,
And the flmy smoke was weaving phantom
figures in the air.
[ was happy past all measure, and pro-
nounced the cook treasure,
Though didn't like her pipe and beer, and
head OF flaming hair,
But the odors of her viands fell like incense
on the air,
AMI that eve smiled at care.
l was hungered, 1 was weary, but the ban
quet proved not CHEEKY,
And my spirits sank within me as I scanned
the table Ger
The milk was acid-turning, and the chicken
done to burning,
And the biscuit charred and blackened,
While the butter run III streamlcts from
the plate upon the floor
I'm religious, but I swore.
How blessed (?) mine hostess crusty-how
blessed (?) her bacon rusty
How l showered down invective as a troop
er does by rote;
Gave lengthy dissertation, pom eggs
touch,d d by inc cubation,
And the sin of keeping butter, till it's old
vote
Casting odor in ones nostrils like an an
cent billy-goat.
Till her conscience I had smotc.
Then l left that banquet cheerless, and
with steady step and fearless,
Swept triumphant past mine hostess,
where she sat within the door;
But my lecture, deemed terrific, proved to
her but soporitic,
For she only deigued to answer with
stltied, drunken snore,
And, a moment after, tumbled from her
chair upon the floor,
Most egregiously tore"
was hungry, I was weary, but my bed was
left to cheer me,
And bade mine host, ''Old Bardolph," +"
show me to my chamber door;
After rueful self-inspcction. he replied, with
marked detection,
Il would light You up with pleasure, but
my climbing days are DER,
But you'll know your room for sartin, by
the boot-jack at the door;
You can't miss lt-number fOuI ;"
After varied explorati tons, execrations and
gyrations,
I espied the welcome boot-jac. and the
chamber number four,
With its beadstead, sleep-inviting, and its
stiffness, soul-delighting,
And its breezy lattice window, with q wood
bme hanging DER,
And the moonbeams through its branches
weaving lace-work on the floor,
And one towel, and no more.
Tired natures sweet restorer balmv sleep,
how l adore her.
Waved her drowsy, leaden pinions, and
sunk in slumbers light,
Felt the cool winds sweeping DER me, saw
bright visions pass before me-
While mine ear drunk in the music of the
voices Of the night;
Then | felt sudden pricking, and knew
Ihad 4 bite
arose and str elk light.
While l dreamed of whispering mvrtles
swarms of bugs, like soft-shell turtles.
lad been pouring from Tie assures that
were yawning in the wall,
And in whole platoons descending, with
fierce purpose and unbending.
Overspread my shrinking body with hor-
rid living pail
OHiihlaS up my precious llfc-Dlood, craV-
ing flesh, and bones and all,
How l wished my blood was gall
With christian resignation, forbore ami
hilation,
For l didn't like their odors, 1 had smelt
EN- once before.
But took some scanty bedding, gave my
self and it a shedding
Of the vampire interlopers, on the outside
of the door,
Then I spread my quilt and pillow in the
middle of the floor,
And / closed my chamber door.
Then commenced a close inspection, with
view to the detection
CT the means to build brcast-work round
my pallet on the floor;
IN cupboard, old and rusty, 'mong jars
cob-webbed Ger and dusty,