The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-10-12
The Wrong Room.

Inc rev. W. III. hilDurne, III his
"Ten years of Preachers Life, relates
the following anecdote of the Rev. DIR.
Cartwright, who had been deputed to
attend a Conference Mt New York. A
room had been reserved for him at the
"Irving House, but arriving late at
night, the sleepy hotel clerk did not
recognize his name in the somewhat
lllegible characters which the back
woodsman inscribed in the register
book, nor Cartwright himself in the
farmer-like looking man before him.
The great preacher was, therefore,
lodged very high mp, and Immediately
below the tiles. The patronizing SER
Of the various 1afticles III qKee tlhhe RISsd
said, on leaving, pointing to the bell
rope 'If you want anything you can
just pull that, and somebody will come
up
The old gentleman waited until the
servant had had time to descend, and
then gave the rope furious jerk. Up
came the servant, bounding two or
three steps at time, and was amazed
at the reply, in answer to his what
will you have sir ?
Glow are you all coming on down
below? 1t is such way from here to
there that body can have no notion
even of the weather where you are
The servant assured him that all
was going on well, and was dismissed;
but had scarcely reached the Office be-
fore another strenuous pull at the bell
was given. The bell in the city hall
had struck fire alarm, and the fire
men, with their apparatus, were hur-
rying, with confused noise, along the
street.
whats wanting, sir? said the ir-
ritated servant.
"What's all this hullaballoo ?" said
the stranger.
"Only fire, sir
ga fire, sir shouted Cartwright.
do you want us all to be burned
up?' knowing well enough the fire
was not on the premises.
The servant assured him of the dis
lance of the conhagration, and that all
was safe, and again descended. A
third furious pull at the bell, and the
almost breathless servant again made
his appearance ut the door.
bring me Ratchet" said the tray
eler, in a peremptory tone.
"A Ratchet sir q said the astonished
waiter.
Eyes, a hatchet.'
"What for, sir p
"That's none of your business. Go
and fetch me Ratchet.
The servant descended and informed
the clerk that, in his private opinion,
the old chap was crazy, and that he
meant to commit suicide or to kill
some one in the house, for that he
wanted Ratchet.
The clerk, with some trepidatioD,
ventured to the room beneath the
leads, and having presented himself
said in his blandest tone, Il beg your
pardon, sir, but what is it you want
ed p
"a Ratchet, said the imperious
stranger.
"a Ratchet, sir, really but for
what 2"
"What for Why, look here, stran-
ger, YOU see I'm not accustomed to
these big houses, and its on just such
q journey from this to where you are
that thought might get lost. Now
it is my custom when am in a strange
country to blaze my way. We cut
notches in the trees. and call that
blazing, and then we can always find
our way back again. So thought if
/ had a Ratchet I'd just go ont and
blaze the corners from this to your
place, and then | would be able to find
my way back.
II beg your pardon. " said the mys-
tilted clerk, but what's your name ?
| could not read it very we'll on the
book"
"My name, replied the other, Ger
tainly, my debts are all paid and will
is made. My name is Peter Cart
wright at your service"
20, Mr., Cartwright, | beg ten thous-
and pardons We have room for
you, sir, on the second floor; the best
room in the house. This way, sir, il
you please"
That's right" said the old gentle
man, that's all wanted.