Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-05-13
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE;

Some years ago. while iourneying
through the central part of Ohio, q ter
tibls srow-storm occurred, which so OBJ
structed she road that several passeng gers,
including myself, were obliged to find ac-
commodati Ms in small wooden tavern,
situated near bv. After satisfying our
thinner man" with warm supper, we all
consregated around the ballroom fire,
and soon were engaged in smoking, tel
ling stories, and enjoying ourselves gen
orally.
Among US middle-zged gentleman,
apparently merchant, who remained a
silent listener to the conversation the first
part of the evening. But soon our vo-
cabulary of stories was exhausted, and
the gentleman was politely invited to re-
vive the dropping conversation by telling
story. He readily accepted the invita-
ton, and told the following, which | give
the reader as near as my memory will
permit:
About twenty years ago. he began. l
Was connected with wealthy firm in St.
Louis, and desiring to yi-'A New Orleans,
was entrusted with a considerable surn of
r..Tr.cy by my employers to be conveyed
with all possible haste to New Orleans
merchant.
E1rly in the morning I got on board
the boat, AMI leaned 'istlessly over the
railing, watching the Inhabitants as they
went forth to their various occupations
| | had not remained in that position long
before the steamer moved slovly away from
the pier. and soon the city was entirely
lost to view.
During the day nothing tran.pired to
render the voyage disaCreeabla. and as
tn. shades Of light began to hover ever
the water, | repaired to the saloon. where
several gentleman were engaged in a rsth-
er stormy discussion on politics. Soon
became entangl d along with tho rest. and
gave my particular views on political sub
jects.
While conver,ing. I thoughtlcssly men
toned the fact of my having large sum
Of money IN my possession. Nothing
further was said about it at that time,
however, but the thought flashed upon
my IN u tina. in crowd of desperate and
un n7rincipled men as were my associates,
it was not the place to tell such a secret,
which kept me rather backward in my
conversation during the remainder of the
evening. I retired soon after, fully re-
solved to be more prudent in the future.
The next day | made the acquaintance
Of a gentleman who professed to be 4
| clergyman He gave me several tracts,
and soon we entered into a conver-
.ation that resulted in quite a friend
/ ly intimacy. He appeared to be we'll ver-
| sci in his profession, and altogether 3
very agreeable companion. After con-
versing ON the various topics of the day,
the conversation naturally turned to :he
previous evening" discussion. Not being
very we'll pleased with what had occurred
at that time. attempted to ch4ss-e the
subject, bat was prevented by paa.NFend's
I -. -ar ls-ceived ahv utng'
"l6a 7Sas;fipg saaissl Greet. Mrl-.
in revealing the tict thshe,cs had money
in your possession. There are men on
this boat who would not hesitate to rob
you, if an opportunity presented; there
fore advise you to bs more carefai here
after"
thanked him for his kind advice, and
assured him that intended % keep aloos
from ali suspicious individuals.
To this he made no reply. but rose
from his seat, aud wish cane IL baud walk
cd leisurely away TO his room, leaving me
10 NV own reflections. which were, that
had a good companion snd valuable
friend in the preacher.
On the journey made the acqaaint-
ance cf several gentlemen. but none Aba,
| valued SO much as the Clergyman
Nc.Aing occurred of note after this. and
we arrived late in the afternoon at New
Orleans. Not being very well aoIuaint-
ed iu the city, M friend offered to con-
Duct me TO hotel where Ut expense
Would not be very heavy, and as wished
to spend as little mouey IS possible.
thankfully accepted his company, and we
walked UP the street several blocks. when
he gave me the proper direction to take.
While ho vas obliged 70 Sc another rAy