The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-06-16
Poe's Song OF" The Bells"
Colorado Miner.

The following incident was related by
member of the Baltimore bar, who al
the time of its occurrence was but recent
iy admitted to practice. The truth OF
the statement may be depended on; and
even the conversation introduced | give,
thi TX, nearly word for word as reported
to me.
At the period referred to there Were
several single storied houses on the east
side of St. Paul street, between Lexing
ton and Saratoga streets, each of which
contained but two rooms. They were
rather misunderstanding to present
ideas-construct of brick, but have
been tor long time displaced by tall
and stately buildings. One of these sin
gle-stDrled houses was occupied by myin
formant. The front apartment was used
as a law office, the rear as sleeping
room.
One calm and clear moonlight wintry
night, When the snow lay deep upon the
CITY streets and roofs, MI was
making preparations to retire to bed
when his front door bell was rung. He
aroused his negro boy, who was nodding
on his stool by the chimney corner, AM
sent him to open the door to his late
visitor.
The boy almost Immediately returned
alone. He said that nobody was at thu
nor, but that gentleman was standing
In the snow in the middle of the street,
talking to himself and tossing his arms
about.
Mr-now went to the front door
himself When he opened it he found
one who was evidently a gentleman-he
could see that by the moonlight stand
ing on the pavement facing him.
Was it you who rang my bell ?" he
asked.
Yes, SIT" was the reply. 81 owe You
al apology for disturbing you at an hour
30 unreasonable. But the fact is, some
thoughts have come into my mind which
[ wish to commit to paper, and seeing
a light in your back window, (the house
stood on the corner ofan alley, and con
siderlig it q matter of course that'a law
yer's office is supplied with stationery, L
took the liberty of ringing your bell''
You are very welcome" said the law
yer. "Walk in, sir"
The stranger followed him into the in
ner department, where bright coal fire
Was burning in the CRATE. The manner
Of his guest was so impressive of intel
iect that Mr--offered a bed but the
visitor only asked the use of chair, ia
bic, and writing materials So the ne
gro boy lay down upon his pallet on the
dor, and the young lawyer retired to his
bed, leaving the stranger bending over
the table.
w hen Mr. ~--awakened in the NOR
ming his strange visitor was sitting in a
chair, with his head upon the table,
asleep The motion made by the young
lawyer on awakening aroused the stran'
ger. The latter seemed to be wide awake. |
He arose from his seat, thanked his hosl
for his hospitality, and gracefully apol
Oglzed for his intrusion on the previous
night, He was then about to leave the
room.
You are forgetting your manuscript"
says the young lawyer, pointing to some
pieces OF paper on the table.
q have copy of what have COM
posed, " said the stranger, "and leave the
original with you as some acknowledge |
10 ut of your kindness under circumstan-
cea SO trying"
The stranger left. The lawyer did not
know until long time afterward, when
The Song of the Bells of which he
still has the original-had been publish
ed and become famous, that his singular
visitor was Edgar A. Poe.