Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-25
The MANAGES Last Card.
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE IN CHICAGO

[ have weakness" for good hotels
when l travel, and invariably make in
quiry before l reach a strange city in
regard to the characters of its holsteries,
in order to endeavor to stop at the best
one when l arrive.
Thus, by its fair repute, I found
myself ascending the granite steps of
the substantial as we'll as snowy 'Sher-
man House," on a recent visit to Chi
cago. Passing through the lofty YES
thule, entered the Office, and under
the eye of the affable chief clerk entered
my name and requested to be shown to
room, or at least to have my baggage
sent to room rather under than above
the fourth story, for 1 am not heaven
ly-minded in my desire for accomoda-
tions in cities where fires are frequent
and disastrous to life as we'll as prop
erty. Why should l be, when my fair
er-half will not let me get my life in
sured !?
The polite clerk looked at my name
and residence, and whether he krew it
Or not, evidently made up his mind that
[ was somebody, for he courteously
placed room on the second floor at
my disposal, and added that all the re-
sources of their house should be drawn
from to make the stay of Colonel Min
turn agreeable. How the deuce did he
know that an eagle had ever graced my
shoulder, when l registered only tie
plain MIR. before my name?
But no matter about that. As |
turned, we'll pleased, from the office, l
was met by tall, very genteel looking
young man, whose dress and address
when he spoke to me were of nature
to attract favorable notice and receive
respectful attention. His face, though
exceedingly pale, was very finely fea-
tured and expressive, and his large,
dark eyes had strikingly sad, mourn
full look, which actually sent sadden-
ing chill over me when met his gaze.
81 beg your pardon, sir, were you not
in Nashville, Tennessee, some years
ago, boarding at the City Hotel p be
said.
81 was, sir" 1 answered instantly.
II met you there, sir, in company
with General Zollicoffer," he continued.
"You were an intimate friend of his. -
"Yes, sir"
81 remember well,'' continued the
stranger, "a street difficulty that you
had in consequence of your denouncing
gambling very severely in Gen. Zolli-
Golfers paper. And words uttered by
you in the parlor of the hotel after you
bad foiled an attempt to assassinate you,
struck me very forcibly-would to God
l had acted on the warning given. "a
professional gambler you said, was
more dangerous than thief, for be not
only robbed his dupes of their money,
but also of their character, their self
respect, their sense of honor, and in a
little while brought them on a level
with HIMSELF
81 do not remember making the par
ticular statement" l responded, but l
do not doubt that I did, for such has
been my opinion all my life, and have
never been backward to express it,
"Here is my card, sir-excuse self
introduction, but l am so glad to see
you in Chicago, just at this time, that
cannot avoid requesting you to permit
me to become better acquainted with
you"
'Sterret X. Leland''-that was the
name on the neatly written, not en-
graved, card which he handed me.
ga gentleman-no snob, l mentally
calculated, as I took the card and re-
Piled: that being an entire stranger in
the city should be pleased to make
his more intimate acquaintance.
"What will you do with yourself this
EVENING" he asked.
81 scarcely know" I replied, "my
old friend McVicker has a place Of
amusement OPEN"
"Oh hang the theaters. They are
stale, fat and Improbable, to what
will show you p he cried. "You shall
see some Of the hidden life Of Chicago,
and like as not a tragedy may fall in
your way, for they are common, very
common here"
"Very well, Mr.. Leland" replied,
!! ~ win place myself in your friendly