Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-09-09
Gen. Ross. Gentlemen
His First visit to New York City.

lie walks on crutches, having buried one Of
his legs in the Wilderness. He has a patent
spring leg, but be never wore it but once, and
that was on the day of bis second marriage
He Is a handsome man, and as brave as he is
handsome. After be lost his leg, President
Lincoln gave him an Office, and Grant turned
him out Of it because he was an honest soldier.
The General entered New York for the. first
time several weeks ago. He arrived here very
much fatigued at 10 P. N. He rode to the
Astor House in a carriage, and called for a
ROOM The hotel was well filed. The Gen.
cral being an unostentatious man, did not
make himself known, and as consequence
was assigned a room on, The sixth floor, 'front.'
ing dark corridor. lie said he wanted a
good nights rest. He retired at half past
eleven. After putting out the gas and getting
into bed he closed his eyes and went into c
sound sleep. When he awoke he felt quite
refreshed, but he noticed that the day had not
yet broken. He concluded that he had been
disturbed by the noise Of rumblng vehicles. =
He lighted the gas and looked at his watch
1t was just o'clock. Thinking that he had
slept only two hours and a half, the General
turned off the gas and crept into bed. He
went into light dozc, but found it almost
impossible to sleep owing TO the confusion in
the street, Again he lighted the gas, and
again looked at his watch. There was no
sign of daylight 1t was half past four.
"Well," said the General TO himself, it's al
most morning. I'll take another little nap
and then get up"
Then he again. turned off the gas and COM
posed himself in bed for another nice doze.-
Hour after hour he lay awake, yainly looking
for the dawn. At length be again got up,
lighted the gas, and looked at his watch. 1t
was o'clock
DWELL, good God !" said the General, what
time does the sun rise in this city anyhow ?"
He dressed himself and opened the door
Leading into the corridor. A isellow hood Of
gaslight filed his eyes.
"1his is strangcl" he nuttercd, at seems
as dark as midnight and yet it's half past in
the morning. Well, III go down and look
around little anyhow r.
He hobbled out to the elevator and descended
to the parlor. He went out to the clerks Office
and laid his crutches on the desk. Then he
looked at The clock.
"Good morning, young man." said be. I" Is
your time right?"
"Yes, sir, replied the clerk with much afTa-
bility, as be looked at the clock, "exactly
right, ST."
/" Why, blast this town." calculated the
General. "Does daylight never appear here p
The clerk looked at the General as If he
thought he was a lunatic, and responded half
laughingly, " | don't understand you, sir"
The General was somewhat rufiled. "You
can understand English, sir, can't your
pulling out bis watch. "It's now quarter
of nine Here I've been Sleeping al night, and
now get up and it's as dark as TophetP
merry twinkle appeated in the clerks
eyes. "Wby," said he, you've slept all
night and all day too, SIR"
The General Indignantly responded, What
do you mean, sir? Do you mean to insult me-
sir' I've great notion to break your head
with my crutch Order me carriage, will
you? and III pay my BILL"
Clerk looking puzzled)-oertainly sir turn
ing to the book. Your bill is dollar and a
half, sir. How LONG will you have csyiage,
sir7
At this moment the General espied an ac-
quaintance walking up the corridor. Why,
Clarke, said he, reaching out bis hand, where
dia you come from ~
Just gotin FROM Baltimore this afternoon"
answered Mr. Clarke.
Gen. Ross looked puzzled. "This after
noon ?" he repeated, why, what's the matter
with you people?" turning around to the
smiling clerk. care you all drunk, or am ]
crazy. Look here, Clarke, what day is this 2"
Thursday" replied Clarke, in some alarm,
" What's the matter General, amt you wen !"
The General stood for one morDen. as if
struck with a club. Then he mnttered slow
ly Well, no, don't think am well, for by
G. I've come over to New York and I've
slept all night, and I've slept all day, Ike
bear in hole"
Here The clerk put in his oar end began to
apologize. You see, said he, 1--WE had SO
many guests we were obliged to put you in a
dark room, sir, and suppose there's where
the difficulty otiginated.'
"wcll," said the General, drawing a long
breath, "I guess I've seen enough OF New
York. Just have my baggage sent TO the first
train fot Baltimore. i promised to meet some
friends here to-day, and wouldn't meet them
after this little nap for fifty dollar BILL Clerk,
if any of them call for me, I've gono home,
sick. Remember that, will you ?"
The General left for Baltimore on the e.26
train. His friends, it seems, had been search
ing for him far and near throughout the city.
[N. T. Sun.
A similar ludicrous incident happened at
Washington on the occasion Of Presidential
Inauguration. A gentleman who had tray
two days and nights to witness the