Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1869-04-23
.,,.s |.sa... - s~-=--~--- .. 40 LA aI..
A Midnight Adventure.

4 ~ NAAsAhlr hA <ANN SLRAhE-e.
Some years ago while journeying
through the central part OF Ohio, q
terrible snow storm occurred which
SO obstructed the road that several
passengers, including myself, were
obliged to find accommodation i'm a
small wooden tavern, situated near
by. After satisfying our sinner man"
with warm supper, we all congre-
gated around the bar room fire, and
soon were engaged in smoking, tell
ing stories, and enjoying ourselves
generally. @s." $40 'a.'..s' ~,.'' ..'..
Among us was middle-aged gen
tleman, apparently a merchant, who
remained. a silent listener to the con-
versation during the fore part ofthe
evening. But soon. our vocabulary
OF stories was exhausted, aud the
gentleman was politely invited to re.
vive the dropping conversation by
telling story. He readily accepted
the invitation, aud told the following
which / give to the reader as near as
my memory will permit:
| tAbduttwenty years ago, he began,
was connected with wealthy firm
In st. Louis, and, desiring to visit
New Orleans, was intrusted with q
considerable sum of money 10y my
employers to be conveyed with al
possible haste to New Orleans mer
/ chant.
Early in, the morning ! got OF
board the boat, and leaned listlessl,
over the railing. watching the lnhab
itants as they went forth to their va
rious occupations. / had not re
manned In that position long befer,
the steamer moved slowly away from
the pier, and soon the city was en-
tirely lost to view. Ddrfng the ,lay
nothing tEanspired to renderthe Q voy.
age disagreeable, and as the shades
Of night began to hover over the wa
ter Il repaired to. the, saloon, wAen
several gentleman were engaged in 1
rather stormy discussion on politie
Soon ! became entapgled, along. witl
the resi-, and gave myn particular
views ON political subjects. 9sl syls.
| While conyersing, L thoughtlessl,
mentioned the fact, Of my having /
large sum of money In my posses
sion. Nothing further was sale
about 1t at the time, however, but til,
thought flashed upon my mind tina
In a crowd of desperate and unprin
cipled men rs were my associates, 4
was not the right place to tell such I,
secret, which kept me rather back
ward In my conversation during Til,
remainder of the evening. I retired
soon after, fully resolved to b,
more prudent I'm the future. R
The, next day j made the acquaint
ance Of q gentleman who professeS
tosbc n Methodist clergyman. III,
gave me several tracts, and soon W,
entered into a conversation that re
suited in quite Friendly intimacy
He appeared to be we'll versed In hi
profession, and altogether a yer,
agreeable companion. After conver
sing on various topics of the day, Tia,
conversation naturally turnedlto tn,
previous evenings discussion. No
being very well pleased with wha
had occurred at that time, / attempt
ed to change the subject, but wa
prevented by my friends remark
ling: F.. Q 90 1s
! You were very indiscreet Mr
Re-, In revealing the fact that yol
had money In your possession. :
There are men ON this boat VIII
would not hesitate to rob you, II al
opportunity presented; therefore
advise you to be more careful hereaf
ter.n JI tt 11ilesa }g 5a y
THANKED him for his good advice
and assured him that / intended I,
keep aloof from all suspicious indi
Viduals. aDa3 pa3 J 8i
! 10 this he made no reply, but ros
from his seat, and with cane in han,
walked leisurely away to his room
leaving me 70 my own reflections
which were, that 1 had good com
panion and valuable friend In til,
preacher. ay NJ
On the journey | made the no
quaintance of several gentlemen, bu
none that i valued SO much as th
clergyman. Nothing occurred O
mote after this; aud we arrived lat
in the afternoon at New Orleans.-
| Not being very well acquainted ii
the city, my friend offered to con
duct me toa hotel where my expens
es would not be very heavy, and a
/ wished to spend as little money a
possible. ! thankfully accepted hi
company, and walked up the stree
Several blocks, when lac gave me th
proper direction to take, while la
twas obliged to so another way.d !
/ After parting with him. wende,
my way to the hotel, which Was sit
uated little Off from the busy thor
lOughfarc. Itwas a large building all.