The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-05-11
A Midniqht Adventure.

some years ago, Wnlie JOufneylnS
through the central part of Ohio, a ter
rible snow storm occurred. which SO OBJ
structed the road that several passen-
gers, including myself, were obliged to
find accommodations iii small wooden
tavern, situated near by. After satisfy
ing our inner man with a warm supper
we all congregated around the bar-room
fire, and soon were engaged in smoking,
telling stories, and enjoying ourselves
generally.
Among US was middle aged gentle
man, apparently merchant, who re
mained q silent listner to the converse
ton, the first part Of the evening. But
soon our vocabulary of stories was ex
hausted, and the gentleman was politely
invited to revive the dropping conver-
sation by telling a story. He readily
accepted the invitation, and told the fol
lowing, which [ give the reader as near
as my memory will permit:
About twenty years ago, he began, |
was connected with wealthy firm in ST
Louis, and, desiring to visit New Or
leans, was entrusted with q considerable
sum of money by my employers to be
conveyed with all possible haste to a
New Orleans merchant.
the boat, and leaned listlessly 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 slowly away
from the pier, and soon the city was en-
tirely lost to view.
During the day nothing transpired to
render the voyage disagreeable, and as
the shades Of night began to hover over
the water,I repaired to the saloon, where
several gentleman were engaged in a
rather stormy discussion on politics.
Soon became entangled along with the
rest, and gave my particular views on
political subjects.
While conv ersing, I thoughtlessly
mentioned the fact of my having large
sum of money in my possession. Moth
ing further was said about it at the time,
however, but the thought flashed upon
my mind that in a crowd Of desperate
and unprincipled men as were my asso
ciates, it was not the right place to tell
such secret, which kept me rather
backward in my conversation during the
remainder of the evening. 1 retired
prudent in the future.
of a gentleman who professed to be a
Methodist clergyman. He gave me sew
eral tracts, and soon we entered into a
that resulted in quite
friendly intimacy. He appeared to be
gether o very agreeable campanion.-
After conversino on the various topics of
the day, the conversation naturally turn
4 III =,
Not being very we'll pleased with what
had occurred at that time, I attempted
to change the subject, but was prevented
by my friends remarking:
You were very indisercet, Mr.. R,
in revealing the fact that you had mo-
ney in your possession. There are men
rob you, if an opportunity presented;
therefore l advise you to be more care
full hereafter
I thanked him for his kind advice, and
assured him that 1 intended to keep
aloof from all suspicious individuals.
To this he made no reply, but rose
from his seat, and with cane in hand
walked leisurly away to his room, leav
ing me to my own reflections, which
we're, that 1 had good companion and
a valuable friend in the preacher.
On the journey 1 made the acGuain-
tanceof several gentleman; but none that
I valued so much as the clergyman
occurred of note after this, and
we arrived late in the afternoon at New
Orleans. Not being very well acquaint-
ed in the city, my friend offered to con-
duct me to hotel where my expenses
would not be very heavy, and as wish
nj fo apopd as little mOnev QS pOscihlo
thankfully accepted his company and
We walked up the street several blocks,
when he gave me the proper direction to
AXE, while he was obliged to go another
way.
& After parting with him, / wended my
way to the hotel, which was situated
little off from the busy thoroughfare It
vas q large building, and had q very old