Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-06
DOVE THE STEPS.
Rsminisosnos Of an Old Hsshvi 10 Ian.

The following amusing "reminiscences con.
nseted with the history Of famous Nash
vile hostelry tina, was numbered among the
institutions of the past, long years before
the war, is told by the Franklin Rerieu and
Journal, whIOh says that the principal sc-
tors are still living-one in MAury and the
other 10 williamson:
While The old inn stood on the square in
Nashville, IL was the fzyorIts hoto Of the
travelling public. On one occasion among
the many guests there assembled we're
Harvey Il -, from Williamson county,
aud John C, from MAury county, in
innate friends, aud both convIvial IN their
temperament. They had imbibsd freely OF
spirits and we're in thar happy condition in
which they considered the world all their
own, and we're rather noisy in ther demon
STATIONS. Some Of ths visitors complained
Of their noise. and the proprietor. after
some persuasion, induced the gentlemen to
retire 70 bed. He conducted them TO heir
room, sAu them safely in bed, waited patti
emily until they alept and Ihsn drew the bed
which, As was then 20 some extent fashion
able, was attached 10 the ceiling BY cords,
up 70 nearly the ceiling, raising them some
nine or ten feet from the floor Everything
passed of quietly, the gentlemen sleeping
soundly until or 2 O'Clock 10 the morning
when John G., who vas sleeping behind
called out TO his friend, "Harvey, get me the
water the pitcher is on the table there in
the corner Harvey demurrei = little, bu,
finally yielding to earnest solicitations, he
threw himself out of the bed, 10 the pitch
darkness Of the room, to the floor beneath.
He was unprepared for . leap, and the
shock of tha fall surprised him. Instantly
he njursd that he had fallen down sIairs,
perhaps through trap door; so he got
down on his hands and knees and csmmenc'
Cd cropping abou, 10 find some means Of 80
cent TO the room above. The delay
oooasioued by these movements was
torture 10 John, who was parched
up with thirst. So be called out in lam
guage more profsns than polite HAIRY !
What in the ID ere you doing y The
answer came from the depths below (;
"John fell down the stairs and cant Ind
the steps 70 gsl up there again" swell,
must come down there, 70 show you the
way up y ~ wish yOs would" John, for
I'm ID can fnd the steps" John
So 'N~'N - tne hluptuuy VI eas
mend, spTAng out Of bed, when 10 he: too,
went ~hirling through the air into the die.
tAn' below, and soon found himself sprawl
,as on the floor beside his companion. HBy
20 J barry fell down the s.aira NV
SELF was his frat exclamation. Then tba
iwo oomusnced = search for the staircase
alAaaer' anything 10 enable them to Ret ou,
OF thn deep abyss Round and round thew
vent, upon their hands aud knees. The,
found table, upon which they disoovered !
pitcher Of water. Quenohing their thir,t
they resumed their search. Their clothips
had been deposited on the foo, Of the bed
90 this was beyond thsir reach, and III,
vhsAshSr was Intensely cold. They mus
keep moving or freeze. The weary roun,
vas kept up until the grey dawn begal
TO streak the east, when they ascerisins,
their true condition. Stealthily the
lowered the bed, hastily donned thsi
clothing, and only remained long snougl
10 pay their bill to the night clerk, whsl
mOunting their horses, they made track
Tor home.