The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-05-26
MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

some NeafS ago, WnIle JourneylnI
through Ohio, q terlible snow storm oc
cured, which so INSTRUCTED the roat
that several passengers including my.
self, We're obliged to find accommodation
i'll a small tavern, situated near by
| After satisfying the elmer man. witt
warm supper, we al. consregated
around the bar-room fire, and soon we
were engaged in smoking, telling an.
ecdotes, and enjoying ourselves gener-
ally.
Among us was u middled-aged gen
tleman. apparently merchant, who
remained Il silent listener to the con
versation the first part of the evening,
But soon our vocabulary of stories was
exhausted, and the gentleman was POI
litely invited TO revive the dropping
conversation by telling a story. He
readily accepted the invitation, and
told the following, which l give the
reader as near as can remember:
About twenty years ago, he began, /
was connected with wealthy firm in
st. Louis, and desiring to visit New
Orleans, was entrusted with IL consid-
erabie sum of money by my employers
to be conveyed with all possible haste
to a New Orleans merchant.
Early in the morning l got ON board
the boat, and leaned listlessly over the
railing, watching the inhabitants as
they went forth to their various occu-
pations. | had not remained in that
position long, before esteamermoyed
slowly from the pier, and soon the city
was entirely lost to view.
During the day nothing transpired to
render The voyage disagreeable, and as
the shades ofnight began to hover
over the water, | repaired to the saloon
where several gentlemen were engaged
in rather stormy discussion on poll
tics. Soon / became entangled along
with the rest, and gave my particular
views on political subjects.
While conversing, I tliougitlessly
mentioned the fact of my having in
my possession large sum of money.
Nothing further was said about it at
that time, however, but the thought
flashed upon my mind that ina crowd
of desperate and nnprinciplea men as
were my associates, it was not the
place to tell such secret, which kept
me rather backward in my conversa-
ton during the remainder Of the even
ing. | retired soon alter, fully resolv-
ed to be more prudent in the future.
The next day made tile acquaint-
ance of gentleman who protested to
be q Methodist clergyman. He gave
me several tracts, and soon we entered
into conversation that resulted in
quite friendly intimacy. He appear
ed to be well versed in his profession
and although very agreeable comran-
ion. After conversing on the various
topics of the day, the conversation nat
nrally turned to the previous evenings
discussion. Not being very well pleas
ed with what had occurred at that time
Iattempted to change the subject, but
was prevented by my friends remark
ing
"Yoo were very indiscreet, Mr.. R.,
in revealing the fact that you had
money in your possession. There are
men on this boat who would not hest
tate to rob you, if an opportunity pre-
sented; therefore I advise you to be
more careful hereafter"
L thanked him for his kind advice,
and assured him that intended to
keep aloof from all suspicious individ-
ais.
To this he made no reply, but rose
from Ills seat, and with cane in hand
walked feisurely away to his room, leav-
lug me to my own reflections, which
were, that had good companion and
a valuable friend in the preacher.
On the journey / made the acquaint-
ance of several gentlemen, but none
that / valued so much as the clergy
man. Nothing occurred Of note after
this, and we arrived late in the after
noon at New Orleans. Not being very
well acquainted iii the city, my friend
offered to conduct ME to a hotel where
my expense woulG not be very heavy,
and as 1 wished to spend as little
money as possible thankfully accept
ed his company, and we walked up the
street several blocks, when he gave me
the proper direction to take, while he
was obliged to go another way.
After parting with him, wendell my
way to the hotel, which was situated a
little off from the busy tlloroughfare.
It was a large building, and had very
old and dirgy appearance; and, in fact,
did not look very inviting TO the trave-
Ter; but as expected TO remain only a
shoEt time, / concluded to accept the
accommodations, rs they were much
cheaper than could be found else
= v