The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-12-20
ONE SUMNER NIGHT.
LAT THE HOTEL.

If commenced my story according 20
the way which was once fashionable
among the imitators of Sir Walter Scott,
L should have to describe the interior of
an old-fashioned hotel where the gos-
sips of the neighborhood were enjoying
pipe and glass, and mine well-paunched
host did justice to his own cheer. There
were no fagons of Rhenish, or sack,
however; glazed framed notice proclaim
ed the ale of Burton, and ardent spirits
did that moderate or immoderate work
which some constitutional authorities
declare TO be absolutely necessary in the
rigors of our northern climate. More
over, it must be admitted that our
tavern had the title of the Railway
Armes, which suppose is unromantic
as may be; although confess thai, to
my mind, railway, road, canal and mod
ern mansion, as indicating the advance
and happiness of man, really help fine
scenery; which is, think, the idea of
Turner'S noble picture of Peace ="
Still, the Railways Armes was not the
pretentious, faring red brick building
SO often run up near a railway-station;
but by happy chance this station was
terminus; the railway had run it's
course, and sank down, as if exhausted,
by the side of an old-fashioned roadside
inn, with gables, ivied porch and stone
mullioned windows. which no painter
would despise, and often presented
scenes on which tho specter's eve for
the picturesque would not refuse to
dwell. The landlord, to mark his affin-
ity with tho spirit of the times, had
adopted the Fame of the Railway Armes
instead OF tie Canynge Armes, for of the
Csnynges nothing was left save some
broken nose and toeless effigies in the
huge old church, and some stray des-
cendants in far-off places. There had
been great deal of cosy talk superad-
ded to warm liquors this night, for mine
hotel being on the outskirts of an old
fashioned market-town, and near q rail-
way station, was in great request. But
the midnight hour was well-nigh reach
ed, the up-express had gone more than
an hour ago, the last farmers and pra-
zlsrs Were adjusting their final views on
the stateof the nation, and were taking
their ultimate sips: and then, when
Mary, my dear" shouted on old
rublcund farmer, ''you may bring me
another glass of hot gin and water; and
that makes the twentieth; and here's the
sovereign"
The door opened, ana there strobe in
| to the apartment gentleman with fur
red travelling cloak and short valise,
such as IN the old days would have pro-
claimed the Cavalier, or, at least, Mys-
terlous Stranger, in which the old ro-
mmcists delight, but which in these
practical days announced the Donna tide
traveller, III whose favor acts Of Parlia-
ment relax their stringency and exhibit
positive tenderness.
The farmers and graziers touched their
hats and made CHEEKY salutations, for
which the instinct of their class they at
once recognized that the new conner be-
longed to the order of the sq1ires, the
estatel gentry 10 whom they paid rent
and obeisance, whom they met at hunts
ard in the country towns. He was
man whom, accurately speaking, we
should call elderly; the kind of man
whom people call "still quite young
man, which really means beginning to
getOid. He had an abundance of soft,
white beard, tender and rather restless
eyes, and countenance of great nobility
snd refinement. He returnee the greet
ing with much kindness, and, calling for
something. he sat beside his own redec-
tions, which apparently were. hardly of
very cheerful description. -
But the last customer had departed.
and the Donna ide traveller still lingeerd
on. As they went off steaming from
their drinks, my landlord shows signs
and appearances of shutting up for the
night. f,t
Are you wanting a bed here tonight,
sir?"
"No, landlord, l am going on to Ash
enford."
Ashenford p exclaimed the landlord,
with metaleic lustre coming to his eve;
"why that is nine miles across the
welds. W. VII want a conveyance"
"No, thank you" said the stranger;
"I think shall walk. 1t is a fine moon
light evening""
''A queer time for walking" quoth
the landlord People generally finish
their journeys, instead of beginning
them, at this hour"
al have been in countries, ;" said the
stranger, "where people do as much of
eiSA. 10 onhS 'Is tney can ny HiSHe IA
stead of day, as being more cool and
comfortable. And SO, goodnight to you,
landlord"
And without waiting for any direction
as to his route, he marched into the air,
and the landlord saw him get over the
stile beyond which ran the path through
the watef-meadows that led to the Ash
enford road.
81 don't know who that gentleman
can be-" mused the landlord; "and 1
can't call to mind his face; but he must
know this part of the country pretty