The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-02-26

very ordinary looking tavern.
1t bore a nondescript-looking sign
which was told represented a Colder
Angel, by which name the tavern wa
known.
l entered and made my STEREOTYPE,
inquiry-whether l could have a be,
there for the night. The landlord,
thick. burly-looking man, with CLEAN
of latent humor in his face, shook hi
head. and repeated the hateful words
IAN full.' - >>>'
l turned to 60 away, but was recalled
by the voice Of the host.
Would You mind sharing bed will
another party!'' said he.
If there is no help for it suppose
must" l replied, although to tell thu
truth it is by no means agreeable t.
me-, and inwardly heaped denuncia
tions on Ardew's head for persnadine
me to be his substitute.
"Your bedfellow is quiet fellow
when he is asleep, although must say
ne is rather violent when annoyed. He
sleeps very soundly. and all you have
to do is to be careful not to wake him.
He has been in bed some time"
must make humiliating confession
to the reader: am not q brave man.
| 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 descrip-
ton of my bedfellow was anything but
assuring, and was on the point Of de.
cling when the proprietor of the Golden
Angel, no doubt reading what was
Transporting in my mind, exclaimed:
" You are not afraid, are you?'
Afraid! l should think not, in
deed" l returned, for was too much
of coward to brave being thought
one. Il accept your offer of half a
bed. Bring me some brandy and water
and cigar"
l 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 a miser-
able attempt, however. 1 had pre-
viously supped at a restaurant in a
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 l followed him up a
narrow rickety staircase. We kept on
ascending until we reached the top of
the house. when we entered moder-
ately- sized room, but much cleaner
than had expected to find it. 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
chamber was table, placed between
two windows which looked upon the
roof.
The landlord placed the lamp upon
the table, and noticed that he shield
ed 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 very
ugly customer when he's riled, 1 can
tell you.''
~ shall be careful" l replied.
"That's right! Good night" he
whispered, and left the room.
He had no sooner gone than l eau
tiously sat down, taking care not to
make the least noise. I then calmly
surveyed my position. 1t was certain
ly not very enviable one. According
to the landlords account my compan-
ion for the night was anything but an
amiable character. If should chance
to awaken him knew not what might
occur. He might assault me danger
ously before could enter into any ex-
PLANTATION. half resolved to pass the
night in the chair, and not retire to bed
at all. But it was one of the old-fash-
Toned, high-backed chairs, and made
such uncomfortable seat that soon tired
cut. then venture ed to glance around
the room. My eyes naturally fell on
the bed.
There was one thing that consoled
me; my companion 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 pos
session of it lay near the wall, and
there was plenty of space between him
and the outside for me to lie without
touching him. screwed my courage
up and began to undress but l sud-
denly remember ed the landlords words,
that the stranger was an ''ugly customer
when he was riled," which made me de-
sist. The thought struck me that
might manage to lie on the floor, but
moments examination 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. l cast my eyes. to the cell
ing, and noticed for the first time that
a heavy beam studded with numerous
hooks ran through the apartment; 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. l stole cautiously
to one of the windows, and gazed on the
beautiful city bathed in the light of a
full moon.
How quiet and calm everything
looked! But the air felt fresh and cold,
and l closed the window and resumed
my seat in the chair. then found N.Y.
self wondering what avocation nv
friend in bed followed. suddenly cast
my eyes on a heap of clothes which Law
on trunk, covered over with hand
kerchief, no doubt belonging to the
sleeper: My curiosity got the better of
my politeness, and before I scarcely
knew what l was about l found myself
examining his apparel. The handker-
chief which covered them was coarse
cotton one, and his clothes of coarse
homespun, and were such as are usually
worn by drovers. MY companion,
then. was evidently a drover-a rough
class of men who usually stand upon
very little ceremony.
Partly undressed as was, l began to
feel very cold-but before venturing
into bed determined to try an expert
ment to see if the drover slept soundly
or not. had taken the precaution to
leave the bed room door open so that l
oh n >k -