The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-18

be careful not to wake him. He has
been In bed some time"
/ must make humiliating confession
to the reader: am not brave man. 1
have often tried to persuade myself that
am, but truth compels me to state that
a greater coward does not exist than
myself The landlords description of
my bedfellow was anything but assur-
ing, and was on the point of declining
when the proprietor of the Golden
Angel, no doubt reading what was
transpirlng in my mind, exclaimed:
You are not afraid, are you ?"
afraid l should think not, indeed -
l replied for was too much of coward
to brave being thought one II accept
your offer of half bed. Bring me some
brandy and water and a cigar.''
sat down at one of the little tables
in the bar room, and putting away at
my cigar tried to persuade myself that
| was very jolly. 1t was miserable
attempt, however. 1 had previously
supped at restaurant in more modern
part of the city. After my cigar was
finished L asked to be shown to my
chamber. The landlord took upon
himself the task of being my conductor,
and 1 followed him up narrow, rickety
staircase. We kept on ascending until
we reached the top of the house, when
he entered moderate sized room, but
al 4 Io1 IN
The ceiling was very low, and inclined
in front to the slope of the roof. The
apartment contained but one bed, which
was placed against the wall near the
door. AT the opposite end of the cham
Der was a table, placed between two
windows, which looked upon the roof.
The landlord placed the lamp upon
the table, and then / noticed that he
shielded the light with his hand, as he
passed near the bed.
Be sure and don't take the light
near him." whispered the proprietor of
the Golden Angel" nothing wakes him
sooner than that. You see don't know
how he might like my putting another
man with him; and he is a very ugly
customer when he's riled, can tell
YOU"
shall be careful" ;" ] replied.
"That's right Good night" he
whispered and left the room.
He had no sooner gone than eau
tiously sat down, taking care not to
make the least noise. 1 then calmly
surveyed my position. 1t was certainly
not very enviable one. According to
the landlords account my companion
for the night was anything but an
amiable character. If 1 should chance
to awaken him knew not what might
occur. He might assault me danger
ously before 1 could enter into any
explanation, half resolved to pass the
night in the chair. But it was one of
the old-fashioned, high-back chairs, and
made such an uncomfortable seat that L
soon tired out. 1 then ventured to
glance around the room. My eyes
naturally fell on the bed. There was
one thing that consoled me; my COM
panion appeared to be in deep sleep,
for he did not even move. L could see
the ridge made by his feet at the end of
his bed, and that was all. / also noticed
that the bed was very large one. The
man who had possession of it lay near
the wall, and there was plenty of space
between him and the outside for me to
lie without touching him. 1 screwed
my courage up and began To undress-
but suddenly remembered the land
lords words, that the stranger was an
'ugly customer when he was riled,"
which made me desist. The thought
struck me that might manage to lie
ON the floor, but a moments examina-
ton settled the question in the negative,
for the floor was entirely bare, and the
air blew very cold through the wide
chinks in the planking. / cas-. my eyes
to the ceiling, and noticed for the first
time that heavy beam studded with
numerous hooks ran through the apart
ment; but as / was not bird and could
not perch there, this discovery was of
little use to me.
Half an hour passed away in this state
of indecision. stole cautiously to one
of the windows, and gazed on the beau
tiful city bathed in the light of full
moon.
How quiet and calm everything look
ed. But the air felt fresh and cold, and
/ closed the window and resumed my
seat in the chair. then found myself