The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-19
A NIGHT OF PERIL.
WITH A IYDROPHO-
BIA VICTIM.
BY PAP.

Night had settled down and wrapped
West jackson in darkness. The wind blew
cool and piercing from the North, and
were it not that March had nearly passed,
one would naturally imagine winter still
fingered, with its icy breath, to change from
smiles to scowls the face of genial spring.
A bright fire glowed within the CRATE of the
European House. office, around which
were seated some half dozen gentlemen,
among whom was New Orleans drummer,
when the street door was opened and tall,
slim, ministerial looking parsonage entered,
bearing in his hand small valise Walk
ing up to the desk, and looking over his
gold-bowed spectacles at the manager, he
inquired:
"What time does the south-bound train
leave here?'
"One-forty, sir, precisely" politely re-
piled Mr.. Smith, reaching for the valise
the stranger had deposited on the counter,
'Do you wish room2'
"Well, I don't know as there is any ne
cessity; what do you charge for bed?'
"Fifty cents sir"
"No, I'm not sleepy; besides, I might
get left, and just wouldn't get left for all
the beds in the house, replied the stranger.
''No danger of that sir, responded Mr..
Smith, ''you will be called half hour be-
fore time"
"No, I'll just sit up with these gentle
men. Besides, aint the least bit sleepy;
in fact couldn't sleep if went to bed,"
"very good" said Mr.. Smith, "take a
seat by the fire, its chilly night"
"Thank you, yes, it's tolerable cold for
the time of year, right rough on peaches
and garden truck, " replied the stanger, TAX
ing the profered seat beside the ''drum-
mer."
"Good night" he continued, "goOd
night gentlemen. Pm glad to fall in with
good company after being all last night
with pretty rough set on the boat; moth
ing but gamblers, playing poker, and
drinking whisky, and cursing and going on,
till we landed this morning at Vicksburg."
"You came down the river" interrogated
the drummer.
eyes, came from Issaquena, I'm preach |
mig up there, but the idea of paying fifty |
cents for bed, just for few hours, is too |
much; besides, amt sleepy; and that fell
low might forget to call me- don't trust |
any of them; all they care for is the
said the stranger, in an undertone,
casting a scrutinizing glance toward the
desk, where Smith was engaged writing,
"And somehow, don't like that fellows
looks, he's got most too sharp nose for
me. Do you know him?"
"Yes, very WELL" replied the drummer.
"What, Smith, he's the very prince of
good fellows"
Well, he may be as my grandmother
used to say, like singed cat, better than
be looked, but if was betting man I'd
go my bottom dollar he's jew"
"Then you are mistaken again, my
friend" replied the drummer. "GeorFe
Smith is q strict member of tho Metho
Church"
SIS it possible2 Well, never was 49,
much mistaken in all my life. If he had
known that I'm preacher don { suppose
he'd charge me anything for bed, but
nint sleepy anyhow. Are you going down
the road7'
''Yes sir, am soisg as far as Summit"
replied the drummer.
''To Summit There's where Pm bound
10. Perhaps youknow the party I'm going
10 see, but" hesitated the stranger, 81
declare 1 like to have divulged some secrets
before thought"
"Out with them, reverend sir, l am no
,attler," said the drummer.
Well, cannot prevaricate, though it was
/ piece of thoughtlessness on my part TO
hus expose myself, but will not tell lie.
So sir, would suffer my head to be out
ID arst I1 fact am like the great George