The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-10-22
4 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS TALE.

A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS TALE.
The following amusing narrative is
adapted from a story which appeared
some years ago in the daily press:
A commercial traveller, on his busi-
ness rounds, came to one OF the large
Yorkshire towns, where he found, upon
his arrival, that the time which, under
a lapse of memory, he had chosen for
his visit, was most inopportune. 1.-The
races were on" and every house of ac-
commodation was crowded to excess.
Upon application to the landlady OF the
hotel where he had been in the habit OF
staying, he was informed that every bed
in the premises had been bespoken for
a week before his coming; and more
than this, that even the very floors and
tables of the dining-room would be
burdened at night with racing-men and
weary pleasure-seekers.
- We are extremely sorry, sir, said
Mrs. Boniface, "that we cannot receive
you, an accustomed patron of the house.
but under existing circumstances. it is
impossible that we can. But" she adj
ded, II will give you the names of
some persons in the town who let rooms,
and perhaps you will find among them
some one who can put you up-at least
/ hope So"
Our friend took the list of names with
q rueful face. and at once set about the
discovery of place of rest for the
night. But all his searchwas fruitless.
Every bed and possible shake-down'
in the whole district was pre-engaged,
and if he would remain in the town he
must walk the streets until morning.
But sooner than do this he resolved to
return to his good landlady Of former
days, and cast himself upon her bcnev-
olent continuance and sympathy.
Upon my word. sir, she said, "you
greatly distress and puzzle me. | re-
ally do not know where in the world l
can put YOU" But after thinking for
a moment, she asked: Will you con-
sent to occupy the hostIers room, sirP
1t stands in q back part ofthe premises,
and perhaps we could manage to make
tat least in some degree--comforta-
ble.' ~
The traveller thanked her warmly,
and declared that the accommodation
she spoke OF was the very thing under
the circumstances.
In about half an hour the hostler
was called. and told to take lantern
and conduct the gentleman to his
bedroom. The way proved to be
across q large yard in the rear of tho
inn, up a step-ladder, along narrow
boarded passage, then up three stairs
and finally through doorway into the
sleeping apartment. Our traveller
found, on looking around, that goot
use had been made OF the half hour h
had been kept waiting. A carpet hat
been put on the floor; blankets ant
sheets were. unexceptionable.
Goodnight, sir" said the hostler
setting down his lantern to furnish som,
light. 81 hope you'll sleep well, sir
and. indeed. think you'll have bet
ter chance Of doing so here than tn
gents in the house-you're away from
the noise; and in times like these thu
streets all night are anything Blu
quiet"
1t was late in the autumn of the yea
the nights were long--and on
friend, rather tired, fell asleep, and di'
not wake until the gray dawn Of th
morning, and not even then had he nc
been aroused by some one coming alon
the outer passage with a heavy ste
and entering his bedroom. Turnin
< round in his blankets TO learn who wa
the intruder, he perceived man, tai
gaunt and grim, his throat bare, tn
sleeves of his shirt rolled up, and h
hair all unkempt and standing uprigi
in tho most disordered manner. III
dark figure drew near the traveller
bed, stopped over him and peered dow
closely in the dim light, evidently an,
ious to find out if the person lying thel
was awake. Perceiving that this WI
the case, our traveller saw him, in Il
dusky light, draw himself upright
the room. then solemnly raise one arr
and point with his hand through Il
window to place outside; after whic
more impressively still. he slowly r
covered the extended limb, and m
toned with his forefinger three tim
across his throat. This done, Il
strange apparition abruptly departe
his feet sounding as distinctly upon u
floor and step-ladder going out as tn
had been heard to do when he came
The commercial traveller was not
nervous man, and he had knowledg
more or less, of the strange occurrenc
and rough usages of the world. "
this dark, grotesque and absolute
silent intruder. and his most singul
gestures, did not strike him as alt
gether pleasant or agreeable. and
would much rather not have been d
turbed in such an unreasonable and u
warrantable manner. He would. no
ever, take no action lat least for t
present. Indeed. he felt himself po'
erless to do this in this lonely part
the premises. But he certainly, VIII
got up, would make complaint to Nj
Bonifacc Of tho way in which he b