Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-12-02
Desperation.

Desperation.
The following is a passage from the very
laughable tale of "DesperatiOn," one OF the
rich articles which are embraced III the
literary remains of the late Willis Gaylord
Clark. 1t is only necessary to premise that
the author is Philadelphia student, who,
after stolen fortnight amid the gayeties of
a Washington season, finds himself
Through the remissness of chum) at
baltimore on his way home, without pen
nv in his pocket. He stops at fashionable
hotel nevertheless. where, after tarrying a
day or two, he finally, at the head of
great dinner, "ODlne SOluS," i'll his private
apartment. flauked with abundant cham
pagne and Burgundy, resolves to disclose
all to the landlord. Summoning servant,
he said:
"Ask the landlord to step up to my room
and bring his bill"
He clattered down stairs laughing, and
shortly after his master appeared. lie en-
tered with a generous smile, that made me
hope for .the best 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 reasonabe But, my dear sir, the
most disagreeable part OF the matter is
now to be disclosed. lgrieve to inform you
that at present | am out of money, aud L
know by your philanthrOpic looks that you
will be satisfied when i tell you that If l
had it, | would give it to you with unquali-
fed pleasure. But you see my not having
the change by me, is the reason cannot
| do it. 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
place | come from, all my acquaintance
know me as easy rs can be- ....
The landlord turned all colors.
"Where do you live, and howY
"In Washin-I should say Philadelphia
His eyes flashed with angry disappoint-
ment. .n..
II see how it is. mister; my opinion is
that YOU are blackleg. You don't know
where your home is; you begin with
Washington and then drop it for Philadel-
phia. You must pay your bill"
"But can't"
"Then III take your clothes; if don't,
blow me tight" l ......
"Scoundrel," said l, rising bolt upright,
''do that if you dare, and leave the rest TO
me-" u.
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.
| rose and looked out of the window.
The snow was descending as | drummed
on the pane. What was. to do? An un-
happy sans culottes in a strange city no
money, and slightly inebriated. ..4a NV :.
A thought struck me. had large full
cloak, which with all my other appoint
ments, save those he took, the landlord
had spared. dressed Immediately, drew
on my boots over my fair drawers, not un-
like small clothes; put on my cravat, vest
and coat, laid a travelling cap from my
trunk iauntily over my forehead, and fling
| ing my fine long mantle gracefully about
me, made my way through the hall into the
street. ..... -.,g ....-........-.
Attracted by the shining lamps OF the
portico of new hotel, a few squares from
my first lodgings, entered, recorded some
name on the books and bespoke a bed
Everything was fresh and neat every ser
want attentive, all augured well. 1 KEEP
myself closely cloaked, puffed cigar, ant
retired TO bed to mature my plot. 'o a3'.
"Waiter Just brush my clothes well, my
fine fellow" said 1, in the morning, as he
entered my room; 'mind the pantaloons
don't spill anything from the pockets
there Is money iii BOTH" 'l'' yea.
'"I don't see no pantaloons."
"'The devil you don't. Where are they p
"Can't tell, Pm sure; don't know, s'elp
me God ~ NV. .' .'. H
'Go down, sir, and tell your master tc
come here Immediately" u '2t .N h'.t
The publican was with me in moment
| had risen and worked my face before the
mirror into tiendish look OF. passion.
'Iandlord !" exclaimed |, with fierce ges'
ture, 81 have been robbed in your house
robbed, sir-robbed of my pantaloons and
purse containing three fifty dollar notes
are gone! This is a pretty hotel. Is this
the way YOU fulfill the injdnctions of Scrip
ture? [ am stranger, and have been taken
| in with vengeance. will expose you at
once if am not recompensed." n-hni
"Pray keep your temper replied the
publican. 81 have just opened this house,
and it is getting a good run; would you
ruin its reputation by an accidehtY Will
find out the villain who robbed you, and |
| will send for a tailor to measure you for
your missing garments. Your mOneyshall
be refunded. Do you see that your anger
| is useless ?"
any dear sir" / replied, 81 thank you for
your kindness-I do not 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 II
YOU find them, and in exchange for the one
hundred and fifty dollars whichoyou give
me, the contents are yours" gg GW &.
| The next evening, with new inexpressi-
bles, and one hundred aud forty dollars in
my pocket, i called upon my guardian in
Philadelphia for sixty dollars. He gave it
with lecture on collegiate dissipation, that
| l shall not soon forget, Enclosed the mon
| CIV hack to my honorable landlord by the