Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-03-31

| CtlNGu luC AOPAJ'
same with the Eutaw, and the Howard
House, and half a dozen other hotels
1t was getting dark, and L began to
think 1 should have to sleep in the hack
all night.
Try Old Town, Bill said a friend
to the hackman, who saw my dilemma.
They are only third and fourth rate
inns. there said the driver, and per-
haps the gentleman would not like to
lodge there for night?'
Anywhere that can get bed my
good fellow Ireturned. 1T is no use
beng particular at such time as thls.'
The horses heads were turned round,
and we proceeded down Baltimore
street over bridge which spanned O
muddy stream Of water, called Jones'
Falls, believe. We then plunged
into a mass OF intricate narrow streets,
and at last stopping before the door OF
a very ordinary looking tavern.
1t bore a nondescript looking sign
wsich I was told represented Golden
Angel, by which name the tavern was
known.
1 entered and made my stereotyped
enoulry-whether could have a bed
there for the night. The landlord, a
thick, burly looking maa, with a CLEAN
of latent humor in his face, shook his
head, and repeated the hateful words:
All full
Itarned to 90 away but vas recallo d
5y the voice OF the host.
Would you mind sharing bed with
another party 2 said he.
If there is no help for it I suppose
must replied, although to tell the
truth is by no means agreeable to
me- and I luwardly heapcd denuncia-
tions on Ardcw's head for perauading
me to be IL. substitute.
Your bed.ellov IS a quiet iclio"
when he Is asleep, although must say
he is rather violent VIXEN annoyed
He sleeps very soundly, and all you
have to do IS to be careful not to wake
him. lie has been IN bed some time
must make a humiliating COMES
sion TO the reader; am not q brave
man. I have often tried to persuade
myself that I am, but truth compels me
to state that a greater coward does no
exist than myself. The landlords de
script on Of my bedfollow was any
thing but assuring. and l vas on th'
noipt Of declining VIXEN the proprieto
of the Golden Angel, no doubt re2din;
what was transp.rlns IN my mind, eX'
claimed
You are not afraid, are YOU:
Afraid should think not, indeed.
7 returned. for I was TOO much Of
coward to brave being thought one. :
accept your offer Of half a bed. Brinl
me some brandy and water and
cigar.
I 81. down at one ofthe little table
in the bar room, aRd pulling away a
my cigar I tired to persuade myself tha
I was very Jolly. It was miseraOi
attempt, however. 1 had preYiousl
supped at a restaurant in NOR
modern part Of the city. After m
cigar was finished I asked to be show
TO nv chamber. The landlord too
unon himself the task OF being my con
ductor. and followed him up a narro'
rjckety staircase. We kepton ascend
inc until we reached Tie top OF III
house. when we entered a moderated
sized room, but much cleaner than
had expected to find It. The celiin
was very low and inclined in front I
the slope of the roof. The apartmel
contained but one bed, which wa
placed against the wall near the dool
At the opposite end Of the chamo'
was a table, placed between two win
dows. which looked upon the roof.
The landlord placed the lamp upc
the table, and l noticed that he shielde
the light with his hand as he passo
near the bed.
BE sure and don't take the ligl
near him. whispered the proprietor
the Golden Angel; nothing wake
him sooner than that. You see L don
know how he might like my putin
another man with him and he is
very ugly customer when he's rlled'
can tell you
L shall be careful l replied.
That's right! Goodnight he viii
pered and left the room.
He had no sooner gone than L ca
tiously sat down, taking care not
make the least noise. L then calmI
surveyed my position. It was certal
j ly not very enviable one. Accor
inc 10 the landlords account, my cor
panion for the night was anything b
an amiable character. If 1 shou
G chance to awaken him L knew n
what might occur. He might assa'
me dangerously before [ could enter
e to an explanation. l half resolved
e pass the night in the chair, and not
retire to bed at all. But it was one
b the old fashioned high backed chal
u and made such an uncomfortable 81
y that soon tired out. 1 then ventuI
1t To glance around the room. Ny ey
II naturally fell on the bed.
3 There was one thirg that consol
1t me my companion appeared to be
W deep sleep, for he did not even mo-
e | could see the ridge made by his +
e at the ehd of his bed, and that was