The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-05-13

PoE's SONG or "THE BELLS"
THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IT WAS
WRITTEN.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH 1T WAS
WRITTEN.
The following incident was related to
me by member of the Baltimore bar, who,
at the time of its occurrence, was but recent
ly admitted to practice. The truth of the
statement may be depended on and even
the conversation introduced give-I think
nearly word for word as reported to
me.
At the period referred to, there was sew
eral single storied houses on the east side
of st. Paul street, between Lexington and
Saratoga streets, each of which contained
but two rooms. They were rather massive
| ly-according to present ideas-construc-
| ted of brick, but have been for long time
displaced by tall and stately buildings
One of these single-storied houses was oc-
cupied by my informant. The front apart
ment was used as a law office, the rear as a
sleeping room.
One calm and clear moonlight winter
night, when the snow lay deep upon the
city streets and roofs, Mr.-was making
preparations to retire to bed, when his
front door bell was rung. He aroused his
negro servant boy, who was nodding on
his stool by the chimney corner, and sent
him to open the door to the late visitor
The boy almost Immediately returned alone
He said that nobody was at the door, but
that gentleman was standing in the snow
in the middle of the street, talking to him.
self and tossing his arms about
Mr.-now went to the front door him.
self. When he opened it he found one
who was evidently gentleman-he could
see that by the Notwithstanding or
the pavement facing him.
"Was it you who rang my belle 2" he
asked
"Yes, sir" was the reply. 81 owe you
an apology for disturbing you at an houl
so unreasonable. But the fact is, some
thoughts have come into my head which
l wish to commit to paper; and, seeing
light in your back window" 0he house
stood upon the corner of an alley, "and
considering it matter Of course that 6
lawyers Office is supplied with stationery
took the liberty of ringing your bell"
"You are very welcome, indeed" sale
the young lawyer. walk in, sir"
The stranger followed him into the inne
apartment, where bright coal fire wa'
burning in the CRATE. The manner of hi
guest was so impressive of intellect thai
Mr--ottered him his PED; Dut tne Vlsl
tor emily asked the use of chair, table ane
writing materials. So the negro boy la!
down upon his pallet on the floor, and thu
young lawyer retired to his bed, leaving
the stranger bending over the table writ
ing.
When Mr.-awakened in the morning
his strange visitor was sitting in chair
with his head upon the table, asleep. Thu
motion made by the young lawyer OF
awakening aroused the stranger The lat
ter seemed at once to be wide awake. FL
arose from his seat, thanked his host for hi
hospitality, and gracefully apologized TO
his intrusion on the previous night. HI
was then about to leave the room.
you are forgetting your manuscript,
said the young lawye:, pointing to SOM
pieces of paper on the table.
81 have copy ofwhat have composed,
said the stranger, "and leave the origina
: with you as some acknowledgement ofyou
r kindness under circumstances so trying
The stranger left The lawyer did no
know until long time afterwards, wheI
the "Song of the Bells"-of which he still
has the original-had been published ant
become famous, that his singular visito
was Edgar A. Poe. HungeJord.