The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-02-11
5misGRllaneons SeleGtiOns.
THE VILLAGE DARKROOM.
Harpeys Magazine

THE VILLAGE BARsROOMs
In 18-.Iwas travelling from IthG
ca to Buffalo, in New York State, b
! stage, intending to reach my. HON
in season to partakc Of the annua
Thanksgiving dinner with fond an
loving friends, at the old homestead
1t was bitter cold morning whel
we set out, and the roads were froze1
hard, there having been considerabl
mud only few days before.
The first night we put up at Dan
vile, and on the following mornin!
when l awoke l found that the eartl
was not only covered with snow, bu
that the snow was falling fast. AT
ter an early breakfast we set out a
gain on wheels, but at the end O.
eight miles, we were forced to tak'
runners, the snow clogging up Sc
that the wheels would not run. Whe1
night came we found ourselves OBJ
iged to stop at small village only
twenty miles from where we set out
in the morning.
A good super was provided at the
inn, and the place had the appearance
of comfort. We had just sat down
TO supper when the wind began to
blow furiouslv, and we could see by
the dim light wiehou that thet snow
was being whirled and driven about
in a furious manner. There was a
ire in the small sitting-room, and
thither we passengers, six Of US, adj
journed. We sat there and convers-
ed until near nine o'clock; and then
[ went out into the barroom to smoke
a cigar, previous to retiring.
In the bar-room, found a bright
wood fire burning, and some dozen
people were sitting there, smoking
and drinking, (This was long be-
.ore the introduction OF Maine laws J
Several of the company judged to
be teamsters; a rough, hardy, good
natured set, who we're enjoying them
selves hugely over big mug of flip!
Then there were several whom !
,ound to be villagers-men who liv-
ed near the inn-a set Of village po-
liticians and newsmongers, who made
The bar-room their place Of social ev,
ening meetings.
had lighted my cigar; and had
taken a seat near the fire, when l no
iced buffalo skin on one end OF
the settee opposite to where l sat and
[ Was confident there was human
being beneath it. 1 supposed it
might be stable hand who had
been at work hard, or was expected
to be up most of the night, and was
now getting a little sleep. l was
looking at the butolo robe, and thus
meditating, when l heard low, deep
death-like groan come up from be-
meath it. and in few moments more
the robe was thrown upon the floor.
And the man who reposed beneath
came down upon the top of it, and
there he lay for some moments like a
dead man. 1 had just started up,
when four of the villagers FASTENED
to his assistance. They lifted him
to his feet, and after considerable
effort he managed to stand up.
NV God! what a thrill struck to
my heart when l saw that face. 1t
was one of the noblest features;
brow high and amply developed over
which clustered a mass of dark,
glossy ringlets, the face beautifully
proportioned, and each separate
feature most exquisitly chiselled.
But what an expression rested there
now.
The great dark eyes, had a vacant
idiotic stare; the face was pale as
death, and the lips looked dry and
parched, and much discolored. His
clothes were torn and soiled, and one
of his hands bloody. Hewas surely
not more than thirty five, and his ap-
pearance would at once indicate a
man of more than common abilities.
But the demon had him and had
made him something.
"How dye feel now, George" ask
ed one of the men who had gone to
his assistance.
But he only groaned in reply, and
he was soon persuaded to lie down
again, being told that he'd soon feel
better, AS soon as he was on the
settee once more, and the buffalo
over him, the men turned to their
seats.
"Who is that chap?" asked one of
the teamsters, looking towards the
villagers who had been assisting the
unfortunate man.
That's George Lockland, " return
ed a stout, honest looking man.
Does he belong hereY'
"Yes. Didn't you never hear OF
himy'
The teamster replied that he had
not.
"Well," resumed the fat man, ''it's
too bad, l declare It's. Lockland
might be one of the first men in
town if he'd mind to; but you see
he will drink; and the worst of it is,
he makes a fool of himself. He can't
touch it without doing just as he's
been doing now. He started here as
a lawyer, and smart one he is too.
Why, he can argue old Upton right
out of his boots. But they say he's
lost all his best customers now. They
daren't trust him with business,
cause he amt sure of ever doing it.
He's got one of the beautifulest wiz
es YOU ever saw; and one OF the
handsomest boys but poor things! l
pitv 'em. Then theirs another thing;
rum operates differently or him from
what it does on most Of folks. 1t
doesn't show itself outside. as 1t does
on almost everybody else, but it
seems to eat hi" up inside. You
see how pale he looks-well, he's al
WAYS so when he's on one of these
times. He can't eat nothin, and !
don't 'spose he'll put bit OF food
into his stomach for q week to come.
"How long has he been sor' ask
ed the teamster,