The Placer herald., 1867-05-18
The Wrong Room.

The Rev. W. H. Milburp, in his "Ten
Years of Preachers Lfe," relates the fol-
lowing aunecdote Of Peter Cartwright, who
had been deputed to attend conference in
New York. a room had been reserved for
him at the Irving House, but arriving late
at night, the sleepy hotel clerk did not re
coguixe bis name in the somewhat ilIegible
characters which the backwoodsman in-
scribed 10 the register book, nor Cartwright
himself. In the farmer like looking man be-
fore him. The great preacher was therefore
lodged very high up, and Immediately below
the tiles.
The patroniziug servant explained to him
the use of the various articles in the room,
and said. on leaving, (poiuting to the BELL.
rope), "if you want anything you can just
pull that, aud somebody will come up"
The old gentleman waited until the ser.
want 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 his reply 10 answer 10 bis
"Wbat will you have, sr?'
"How are you all coming on down belowl
1t is such ways from there to here that
body can have no notion even Of the weather
where you are"
The servant assured him that all was 60
ing on we'll, and was dismissed; but be bad
scarcely reached the Office before another
strenuous pull at the bell given. The
bell in the City Hall bad struck fire alarm
and the iremen with their apparatus were
hurrying with confused noise along The
street.
whats wanting, sir?" said the irritated
servant.
"Wbats al! this hula-ballo!' asked the
stranger.
"Ony fire, sir!"
"A fire sir!" shouted Cartwright. "Do
you want US all 10 be burned up!" Know
ing we'll enough the fire was not on the
premises.
"The servant assured him Of the distance
Of the confagratiop, and that all was safe,
and again descended. A third pull at the
bell, and the almost breatbless servant again
made bis appearance at the door.
"Bring me batchet," said the traveller in
peremptory tone
"a hatchot, sirl" said the astonished
waiter.
"Yes, Ratchet"
"Wbat for, sr!'
"That's none Of your business, 60 and
fstch me Ratchet"
The servant descended and informed the
clerk that, in bis private opinion. the old
chap was crazy, and that be meant to com.
NIT suicide, or kill some one in the house,
for be wanted hatchet.
The clerk with some trepidation, ventured
to the room beneath the leads, and, having
presented himself, said, in the most bland
tone, II beg your pardon, sir, but what was
it you wantedl"
"A Ratchet" said the inperous stranger.
"A Ratchet, sir, really! but for whats" said
the clerk"
"What fort Why look here, stranger
You see l am not accustomed to these big
houses, and it's such journey from this to
where you are that thought l might gel
lost. Now, il is my custom. when am in
strange country to blaze my way. We
cut notches in the trees, and call that blaz
ing, and then we can always find our way
back again. So l thought if had Ratchet
I'd just 60 out 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 mystfed
clerk, "but what is your name, sill? l could
not read it very we'll on the book"
my name," replied the other, "certaply
my debts are paid, and my will is made; my
name is Peter Cartwright, at your service"
"Oh, Mr.. Cartwright" responded the 9TH
er, II beg you ten thousand pardons. We
have room for you, is on the second floor
and the best room 10 the house. This way
sir, please"
"Ibat's right" said the old gentleman
"tbats all | wanted"