Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-01-01
Mystery at the BraWner House.

The usual serene calmness of our town
was thrown into a fearful state Of excite
ment few mornings since. 1t seems that
on the night before, about ten o'clock, a
stranger came into the Hotel and applied
tor room to which he speedily retired.
The uuid nuncs hanging around the stove
and playing the little games of fire and
fall back" and 1.-The day we celebrate, were
very much disturbed because they were
unable to find out the name of the bearded
stranger, who, after ordering glass OF
sherry wine to be brought TO his room
went to bed. In the destinations OF the
games the presence OF the stranger was
forgotten long before quiet reigned
throughout the house. 1t so happened
that lust at this time there was an eNcep-
ton to the usual crowded condition OF this
first-class Hotel. In fact landlord Burch
had allowed his boarders TO so home tor
the Christmas holidays. There being no
boarders in the house to require her care
and attention. the atfuhle landlady had
also paid visit to her paternal root, and
friend Burch, in the kindness of his heart
had allowed the same privilege to that
most important parsonage the cook. Thus
there remained only about the ho lse the
Boss and his accomplished assistant Leo
the lion in name, but the lamb in gentle
ness Next morning when the landlord
made his appearance and was informed OF
the arrival of the stranger, the question
naturally arose how was breakfast to bt
got without cook 1t would not do to
offer him the cold provision which had
been put aside. That was not in accor-
dance with the known hospitality Of the
house. However. cook from the neigh
borhood was speedily pressed into service
and breakfast soon ready. The rising bel
had been rung as usual but the stranger
did not put in an appearance. The break
fast bell was then rung, but no guest ap,
peared The sausages with their appetls
ing odor made the landlord very impatient
so he called unto him his master of horse
and chief valet de chambre, known by the
name of John Chew-probably because he
chews tobacco-and told him forthwith L
summon the nocturnal stranger to his de
jeuner a la fourchette. John went to The
strangers room. but as soon as he opened
the door he made fearful outcry and start
ed down stairs at the rate Of about ter
steps at stride Landlord rushed to the
room and there a sight met his Mortified
eyes, which for a moment appalled, ever
his stout heart. There he saw lying or
the bed the form OF a man covered with :
sheet The stiffness of death was on hin
as he lay there stiff and stark-evidently
he was dead Landlord soon recovered
himself and carefully lifting the sheet from
the face of the unfortunate, tounl-wha
do YOU think 4 bearded mask. with tht
pillow and bolster and bed-Clothin9 done
up to an excellent resemblance Of a human
body. Friend Burch took in the situation
in moment. He was evidently sold-bu'
like all genial fellows, he Ell ioyed the jok,
and determined to have more fun out o
it, So after locking the door and enioln
ing the strictest silence and prudence OF
his assistants he gave out that the stranger
had committed suicide by taking poison
in the glass of wine. The glass was pro
duced as was the bottle from which the
wine had been poured. and all who eH
amined it instantly detected an entirely
different smell in the glass from the wine
in the bottle; indeed one Of the party was
able to name the poison from the odor o.
the glass. In the meantime Mr.. Burcl
sent a note to Judge Boswell, informing
him that the death of stranger by suicide
or otherwise had taken place and request
ing him to come down and hold an in
quest The Judge, always prompt. at once
hurried to the Hotel, where the landlord
with grave face and funeral stride showed
him into the room where the corpse lay
The Judge on entering the apartment, in
spired by that awe which one naturall!
feels in the presence of the dead, reveren-
TALLY removed his hat. After standing s
few. moments gazing upon what he sup
posed to be the lifeless remains
.Ofon more unfortunate.
RaShly importunat",