The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-07-29
monumental city so Modified my wife
thot cha oova her consent

~ WV "Pto.H~ Ny tN
the necessary vouchers, started on my
journey, having first faithfully promised
my wife that I would not venture in the
streets ofsBaltimore after dark. I shall
not detail the particulars of my journey.
Were I to do 80, might describe how
crowded we were; how we were
annoyed by a squalling infant that
it was utterly impossible to silence;
how we we're delayed in crossing the
Susquehanna by some accident to the
ferryboat; how tried to read, but could
notion account of the perfect Babel around
me; how I endeavored to make fun of
the boys who sold apples, and had the
laugh turned against me by those youthful
venders of that wholesome fruit. All
this and a great deal more / might tell,
but as every traveller goes through the
same experience, it would only be erepeat'
ing an old story.
We reached Baltimore at last, and 1
WAS Immediately driven to Barnum's
Hotel. I had some difficulty in making
my way to the clerks counter, the hall
was so crowded with people.
Call full, sir" said the gentlemanly
clerk, as / pulled the book toward me to
enter my name. There was no help for
it. I went round to the Gilmore House
and received the same reply. 1t was the
same with the Eutaw, and Howard House
and half dozen other hotels. 1t was
getting dark, and began to think /
should have to sleep in the hack all
@Try Old Town, Bill" said friend to
the hackman, who saw my dilemma.
"They are only third and fourth rate
inns, there" "said the driver, "and perhaps
the gentleman would not like to lodge
there for night %
"Anywhere that I can get bed, my
good fellow" I returned. "It is no use
being particular at such time as this.
The horses heads were turned round, and
we proceeded down Baltimore street over
which bridge spanned a muddy stream of
water called Jone, Falls, believe. We
then plungedsinto "a mass of Intricate
narrow streets, and Eat last stopped before
the door of avery ordinary looking tav-
ern. -
1t bore nondescriptElooking sign,
which / was. told represented Golden
Angel, by which name the: tavern was
known.
entered and made my stereotyped in
quiry-whetherI could :haye:asbed there
for the night. The land thick,
burly;lo looking man, .witha gleami6 Of latent
hrmor in mis- face: shook his head; rarld
repeated the hateful words All full .
I turnedato go away, but .wa, recalled
by the voice of the host. -as2sss
"Would you mind sharing:a bed with
another party z" said he.
eff there is no help for it I suppose I
must" replied, although to tell the
truth it is by no means agreeable to me, "
and inwardly heaped denunciations on
Andrews head for persuading me to be
his substitute.
"Your bedfellow is quiet fellow when
be is asleep, although / must say he is
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 for some time."
must make humiliating confession
to the reader: am not brave man. l
have often tried to persuade myself that
am, but truth compels me to state that
greater coward does not exist than my.
self. The landlords description of my
bedfellow was anything but assuring, and
I was on the point of declining, when the
proprietor of the Golden Angel, no doubt
reading what was transpiring in my
mind, exclaimed:
"You are not afraid, are you?"
"Afraid I should think not, indeed" !"
I replied, for was two much of a coward
to brave beirg thought one. e I accept
your offer of half a bed. Bring me some
brandy and water and cigar."
T sat down at one of the little tables in
the bar-room, and putting away at my
cigar, I tried to persuade myself that l
was very jolly. 1t was a miserable at
tempt, however. 1 had previously supp.
ed at restaurant in q more modern part
of the city. After my cigar was finished,
I asked to be shown to my chamber. The
landlord took upon himself the task Of be-
ing my conductor, and I followed him
up narrow, rickety staircase. We kept
on ascending until we reached the top OF
the house, when We entered a moderately
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 between two
windows, which looked upon the roof
The landlord placed the lamp upon
the table, and then I noticed that he
shielded the light with his hand, as lie
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, I can tell
you 2"
"That's right. Good night" he whis.
.pered, and left the room.
He had no sooner gone than eau
tiously sat down, taking care not to make
tQS ledSG uUlSe. 1 lueu CaIHiy Sulfcycu
my position. 1t was certainly not q very
enviable one. According to the landlords
account, my companion for the night was
anything but an amiable character. III
should chance to awaken him 1 knew not
what might occur. He might assault me
dangerously before I could enter into
any explanation. I half resolved to pass
the night in the chair, and not retire to
to bed at all. But it was one of the old
fashioned high-back chairs, and made
such an uncomfortable seat that soon
tired out. I then ventured to glance
around the room. My eyes naturally
fell on the bed. There was one thing
that consoled me; my companion ap-
peared to be in deep sleep, for he did not
even move. / could see the ridge made
by his feet at the end of his bed, and
that was all. ! also noticed that the bed
was a very large one. The man who had
possession oft lay near the wall, and there
was plenty Of space between him and the