The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-06-04
POe's Song of " The Bells,
THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IT WAS
WRITTEN.
BY J. HUNGERFORD.

The following incident was related to me
by member of the Baltimore Bar, who,
at the time of its occurrence, was but re-
Gently 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 were
several single-storied houses on the east
side of st. Paul street, between Lexington
and Saratoga streets, each of which con-
tanned but two rooms. They were rather
notwithstanding to present ideas
constructed of brick, but have been for a
long time displaced by tall and stately
buildings. One of these single storied
houses was occupied by my Informant
The front apartment was used as law
Office, the rear as sleeping room.
One calmn and clear meonlit winter night,
when the snow lay deep upon the city streets
and roofs, Mr.. - was making prepara-
lions to retire to bed, when his front door
bell was rung. He aroused his negro SER
want boy, who was nodding on his stool by
the chimney corner, and sent him to open
the door to the late visitor. The boy al
most Immediately returned alene. He said
that nobody was at the door, 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 him
self. When he opened it he found one,
who was evidently gentleman-he could
see that by the Notwithstanding on the
pavement facing him.
"Was it you who rang my bell?" he
asked.
Yes, sill" was the reply. 81 owe you
an apology for disturbing you at an hour
SO unreasonable. But the fact is, some
thoughts have come into my head which I
wish to commit to paper; and, seeing a
light i'll your back window" (the house
stood upon the corner of an alley,) "and
considering it a matter of course that
lawyers office is supplied with stationery,
took the liberty of ringing your bell"
You are very welcome, indeed" said
the young lawyer. Walk in, sir.''
The stranger followed him into the inner
apartment, where a bright fire was burning
in the CRATE. The manner of his guest was
so impressive of intellect that Mr.. % Of
fered him his bed but the visitor only asked
the use of chair, table and writing mate
rails So the negro boy lay down upon his
pallet on the floor and the young lawyer
retired to his bed, leaving the stranger bend
ing over the table writing.
When Mr.. - awakened in the morning,
his strange visitor was sitting in chair,
with his head upon the table, asleep. The
motion made by the young lawyer on awak-
ening aroused the stranger. The latter
seemed at once to be wide awake. He
arose from his seat, thanked his host for
his hospitality, and gracefully apologized
for his intrusion on the previous night
He was then about to leave the room.
"You are forgetting your manuscript"
said the young lawyer, pointing to some
pieces Of paper on the table.
81 have acopy Of what have composed"
said the stranger, "and leave the original
with you as some acknowledgment of your
kindness under circumstances SO trying"
The stranger left. The lawyer did not
know until long time afterwards, when
the "Song Of the Bells of which he still
has the original-had been published and
became famous, that his singular visitor
was Fdpar Poe