The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-10-27
What Is the gain?


The following amusing9 narrative is
adapted from story which appeared
some years ago in the daily press:
A commercial traveller, on his bust
ness rounds. came to one OF. the large
Yorkshire towns, where he found, upon
his aryiYal that the time which,ssnder
alap@ Of MEMORY, he Had Chosen for
bis visit, was most inepportune. 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
#seaf before his coming; and more
than this. that even the verysaeors and
tables of the dining-room would be
burdened at night with racing-men and
weary. pleasure seekers. -.sx..4ss.
!" We'are extremely sorry, sir,'' said
Mrs Boniface, s'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. !" ! will give you the names of
some persons in the town who let rooms.
and perhaps you win find among them
some one who can put you up-at least
Oar friend took the list of names with
. arueful face. and at once set about the
discovery of place of rest for the
night But oil his search'was fruitless.
Every bed and possible !" shake-down''
IN the whole district was pre-engaged.
and ii ne 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.
GAYS, and cast himself upon her benev-
olent contrivance and sympathy.
Upon my word, sir, she said, "you
ereally distress and puzzle me. | re-
aily 90 not know where in the world /
can put you.'' But after thinking for
. aMqqant, Fsbe asked: g.SWillsy yoa con.
sent TO occupy The hostler's room, sirP
y ssanas in q back part-of the premises,
ana perhaps we could manage to make
!, ,.-at least in some reelcomforta-
ine traveller thanked her warmly.
ana declared that the accommodation
shs nc p spoke OF was the very thing under
~ about half an hour the .hostler.l
was called, and told to take a lantern |
ana conduct the gentleman to his
bedroom; sl The way proved to. be
aeInss alafgs yard in the rear Of the |
hl ,aa, Up 2 step-ladder, along narrow
Oosrded passage, then up three stairs.
y ala lnally through a doorway into the
ss.sep,ng apartment. Our traveller
'''a ,uald' on looking around. that. good
=, Ss1 ,ad peen made OF the half hour he
aaa oeen kept waiting. A carpet had
ss ssen put on the floor; blankets and
'aee,s weresunexeeptionable.
uood-night, sirn said the hostler.
Is.sis ~. DOWN his lantern to furnish some
ssa' w 4 hope you'll sleep well, sir:
as,a, - !, indeed, think you'll have a bet
= ,.n. eilance OF doing so here than the
A. 1ss ~ tne house-you're away from
'ae =. noisei and in times like these the
'n;ss 's,ss's !. al night are anything but.
= !, was late in the autumn of the wear
raas e nights were long-and our
es',u. ~ =, rather tired, fell asleep, and did
Nov: ~ wake until the gray dawn of the
s ,saa alngg, and not even then had he not
~ y aroused by some one coming along
rS ,na ou1er passage with a heavy step
nnas NY entering his bedroom. Turning Il,
h Saau !. IN his blankets to learn who was
- ANN. intruder he perceived man, tall.
lea.s s ana grim, his throat bare, the
y. y OF his shirt rolled up, and his
H. a uhkempt and standing upright
arl IL : most disordered manner. The ,
al AZ ngure drew near the travellers ;
los.s. s ssseoped over him and peered down 1,
my ny u the dim light, evidently anx-
Is awaLa y Iha out it the person lying there
i IS amake. ava Perceiving that this was ,
,,slr 'se' y our traveller saw him, in the
q rao. mgn.' draw himself upright in
od l' ra: then solemnly raise one arm. !
';aa! m point with his hand THROUGH the !.
,ora oa g place outside; after which. !
MAJ, - ! pressiyely still, he slowly re-
oned m;.n me extended limb, and mo- j
cross IN nus forefinger three times j
|ans. ss ms throat This done, the !
i fas, apparltion abruptly departed. !
cor ana Ssoundlng as distinctly upon the !
d baa aaa step-ladder gong out as thew !
n s'eh heard to do when he came in. !
sryo,s numerical traveller was not a ls
|ote g i' iulan' and he had knowledge, d
d roaat :, less. OF the strange occurrences {
Il aga usages of the world. YET. &
]ent sAs grotesque and ahsolutelu i