The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-06-24
"poe's Song Of The Bells"

Tho following incident WINS related
bv a member Of tho Baltimore bar,
who at the time Of It's occurrence was
was but recently admitted to
practice. The truth of. tho state
ment may be depended on; and
even tho conversation introduced |
give, 1 think, nearly word for word
as reported to me-.
At the period referred to there
werc several single -storicd houses on
tho cast side of St. Paul street, be-
tweon Lexington and Saratoga
streets, each Of which contained hut
two rooms. They were rather rnas-
sive-according TO present idcas-
constructed Of brick, but have been
for q long time displaced by tall and
stately buildings. One Of these SIN
ple-storied houses was occupied by
my informant. The front apartment
was used as u law Office, the rear rs Il
slceping-room.
One calm and clear moonlight win
ter night, when tho snow lay deep
upon the city streets and roofs, MIR.
--was making preparation to rc-
tire to bed, when his tront-door bell
was runr. He aroused his negro Scr
vant-boy, who was nodding on his
stool by the chimney corner, and sent
him to open the door to his late visi-
tor.
The boy almost Immediately return
cd alone. lie said that noboly was
ut the door, but that q gentleman was
standing in the snow in the middle OF
the street, taking TO himself and toss
ing his arms about.
Mr.---now went to tho front
door himself When he opened it he
found one who was evidently a gen
tlcman-hc could sec that by the
Notwithstanding on the pavement
facing him.
"W as it you who rang my b,ll?'
he asked.
"Ycs, sir" was the the reply. II
owe you an apology for disturbing
you at IN hour SO unreasonable. But
the fact is, some thoughts have como
into my mind which l wish 10 com
NIT to paper, and seeing Il light in
your window (the house stood on tho
corner of all alley(, and considering
office is supplied with stationery, |
took the liberty of ringing your
bell"
You arc very welcome" said the
lawyer. "Wali in, SIR
The stranger followed him into the
inner apartment, where bri .ht coal
fire was burning in the CRATE. The
manner of his guest was SO impress
sive of intellect that Mr.---o offer
ed bed; but the visitor only asked
the use Of a chair table and writing
materials. So the negro boy lay
down upon his pallet on the floor, and
the young lawyer retired to his bed.
leaving the stranger bending over
the table.
When Mr.--awakcnc in the
morning his strange. visitor was sitt-
ing in a chair, with his head upon the
table asleep. The motion made by
the young lawyer on awakening
aroused the. stranger. Tho latter
seemed at once to be wide awake
lie arcse from his seat, thanked his
host for his hospitality, and graceful
ly apologized for his intrusion on the
previous night. He was then about
to leave the room.
"You arc forgetting your manu-,
script" says the young lAwyer, point
ing to some pieces OF paper on tho
table.
II have copy Of what have com:
posed" said the stranger, land leave
tho original With you as somo &C,
acknowledgement Of your kindness un-
der circumstances 80 trying.
The stranger left. The lawyer did
not know until long time after
ward, when the ''Song Of the Bells"-
OF which he still has the original
has been published and become fa-
NOUS, that his singular visitor was
Edgar A. Poe.