Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-19
NEEDLESS ALARm.
An Individual Fmagines Dreadful
Things and Escapes from n House
i'm an Uudressed Condition

Innings ana Escapes from a AAousc \
in an addressed Condition.
An elderly individual well known about !
the city for his ardent attachment to ''the
Union. the Constitution, and the laws" and
who is heard every now and then, especi-
ally when under the influence of certain
well known liquids, indulging in strong
Of Ku-KluX and other imagin-
ary evils, had an interesting and hazardous
adventure a few nights since, which has
until now escaped the notice of habitual
nk-slingers for local departments. The
adventure was about as we tell it, setting
down nothing, of course, in malice. At a
late hour on the night of the occurrence
the elderly individual referred to fell in
company with personal and political
friend, and as nothing better suggested
itself at the time, the two companions in
their collective capacity interviewed the
polite attaches of several places where
fancy fluids are kept and vended. After
several interviews of the kind indicated,
the elderly person intimated that in the
''hurry of business and confusion of the
moment" it would probably be difficult for
him to find his room, or get into it with
out exciting too much attention. ''Then
go with me to my clearinghouse and sleep
tonight" kindly suggested the political
friend. The invitation was cordially ae-
cepted and together, arm-in-arm, the two
friends made their way through three or
four muddy streets to the clearinghouse
of the old mans friend. Shortly
after arriving there and being
introduced to party of gentlemen present,
the elderly individual, afflicted with too
much dread of ghostly things, began a very
bitter and unqualified denunciation of
Ku-Klux and their friends. lie went on to
saw. also. thet he had no fear of the ghostly
butchers, and if they desired to take his
life. he was ready for the sacrifice. When
the subject had been fully discussed and
the venerable visitor had exhausted his
conversational capacity, the party retired
in quest of ''tired natures sweet re-
storer." Soon all were fast and sound
asleep, save and except our ancient
hero. For him there was no sleep
in that honse. lie had conceived
had purposely taken him into the
headquarters of the ghostly khan, with the
view Of having him quietly dispatched He
heard persons ascending and descending
stairs, doors slammed, windows shut and
opened, bells tolled, and whispered talk in
adjoining rooms--all indicating extensive
preparations for his taking Of. Twice he
walked his obiging friend, and told his
fears, but that gentleman was too sleepy
to comprehend the situation, and soon fell
back into sounder slumber. At last the
old mans fear became intense. The light
had been extinguished, his companion
was fast asleep, and the house full of
ominous sounds. Able no longer TO en-
dure the torture of lively or deadly APP
prehension, he rose from bed and
tried in the midst of confusion
and darkness to find his hat and boots
and other outer wear. But nothing Of the
kind could he discover. A miscellaneous
youth in an adjoining room partially COM
pretended the situation and mildly tossed
a few heavy boots against the door of the
frightened mans apartment. This last
circumstance was a settler of the question
whether or not he should vacate the prem
Uses, and he hastily vacated Without
coat. pants, boots or hat he
pitched OUT and sought safety in
mud-splittIng flight from the haunted
house. As rapidly as his feet would carry
him. he went for" the room of another
polical friend in the Colonnade Building,
which in due course he reached in q mud
dy, cold and very much alarmed condition.
He has since written several letters to
Washington City, insisting upon the
reconstruction Of the State or the
enactment of some law to prevent the
manufacture and sale of adulterated Ii
quors. He insists, we learn, that if one
or the other is not soon done, he will leave
for some cline where there is such thing
as personal security from the damaging eff
fects Of mean whisky.