The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-07-11
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Nf@tAaN tts@ - AsafN@ ~ Asst AAAAt 80 hAAF
elsrei oolored coat, DO individual has Civ
Gu rise TO . much curiosity snd surmiss
a. ihe mac with The carpet bag. he ha:
hEurtd extensively 10 our police reports
and been made lhe snbjec, of farce a
oar minor theatres. Every body hAs beard
Of him, but few know BIS history or ths
cause of biz notohely. A word Of ex,
/ plAna,ion may not be uuiuteteshng.
The man With The carpet bag, Ike
many other ecea,ric cheratiers diHdps
/ trte, Is u foreign origin. lie made BIZ
lrst appearance il London few year,
since a carpet bag was an article oi
such nature, that il was not calculated
70 throw suspicion on the intentions oi
any person on account 81 bis selecting
that mode Of carrying bis luggsge. Ou
The contrary, one would be disposed Ia
look upon him As a frugal, Independent,
economical sort Of character, who would
not pay porter Tor helping him when be
could quite IS well help himself
10 the case OF The man with the carpet
bsg, however, ibis innoceat article wai
employed for purposes far different from
those for which Il Is cnstomariiy used
His habit (aoeording TO the yeracious mar.
rstiye which we quole) was, to enter that
public house, which presented the mosI
seemly and comfortable aspect, and hay.
ing psrtaken OF hearty supper, be
would convey his luggage, OF which be
always took the greatest care, TO bis
apartment. la the morning it was inva.
riably found that he had decsmped, hay.
ing generously left behind him the con-
tents Of bis sack, which usually consisted
Of bay or straw with stray briekbat or
two, and carried of in their place such
portions Of the bed clothes ss he could
conveniently stow away.
At the time this gentleman 1ourished,
aud for years, the possession OF a carpet
bag by traveller was looked upon by
landlords and waters as almost certain
evidence OF bis being swindler; aud nu-
merous are the occasions upon which
such supposition has created consider
able Inconvenience. The following let.
ter, published in newspaper ofthe period
happily hits of the miseries of man with
carpet bag, searching for lodgings:
Sir.-As stranger in this town, per.
haps | shall be excused for addressing
you on topic which may prove amusing
to some OF your travelling readers, and
prevent a series of notifications to which
from the accidental circumstance Of car
rying carpet bag, they may be exposed
| arrived from the country on Monday
afternoon last, having travelled the whole
of the way outside Of the coach. On al
lighting, was as miserable as torpid cir
culation and pinching cold could make
me. bad still energy enough left, how
ever, to give the coachman his customary
fee, and with my luggage, which consist
ed only of carpet bag, containing
change Of apparel, aud other matters, to
set out in search of tavern in which
was likely TO oenjoy the comforts OF good
fire and a nights lodging. You will ask
why | did not at once take up my quar-
ters At the house where the coach stopped
and which, had been informed, affords
excellent accommodationat reasonable
priceI answer, that have always had
an objection to the hustle of coach inn;
and | may add, fancied ! could get
cheaper quarters elsewhere. Whether |
was justified in this conclusion ! will not
stop TO argue; you must take the facts as
they come. turned into the Bowery,
and went into the first coffee house which
met my eye; do not know the sign. On
entering the coffee room, placed my
carpet bag on the table, and commenced
freeing myself from the wrapper which
surrounded my throat, at the same time
ringing the bell for the waiter. A smirk-
ing chap soon entered, and casting look
at by bag, and then at me, asked me
what wanted? ! replied, A steak for
my dinner, and a bed for the night. Pm
afraid we ant got no bed TO spare, sir,
said be, but III go and ask missis and
then taking another look at me, and q
second at my carpet bag, out be flounced,
! thought this unciyil, but had not long
TO wait before be returned; and with
sort Of would-be knowing look, be in
formed me his missis hadn't bed TO
spare, but might have steak If ! liked.
| don't like said ] and taking up my
bag, of went In no pleasant mood. II
was not long before discovered another
house, into which popped, and was met
by pretty girl In the passage. Pray,
my dear, said /, can have bed here to-
nightl She eyed me from top TO toe, and
more particularly fixed her attention on
my carpet bag. No, indeed, my dear,
said she, laying a stress on the latter
words, you cannot, so you may walk
yourself and your carpet bag of. Well,
thought /, that's cool at any rate and
very soon took her advice. A third house
was not far distant, and here again
made my entrance; but bad not reached
the door Of the parlor, when voice from
The bar exclaimed, Oh, here's the fellow
with the carpet bag Thomas, Thomas,
emma ana khnw him ausf sad rura
enough, before could ask question
was taken by The shoulders, and gently
pushed into the street, with q polite in-
that they were ny 10 the carpet
bag, and 90 ! might 'mizzle. Well,
thought, this i city poiileness with a.
vengeance bu, lodging mnst get, aud
on went. The next house approached
looked clean and cheerful; and seeing The