The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-20
An indian Scare.

Tbe Lake Street House, Chicago, one
Of tke earliest hotels OF Chicago. oi
which the bibulous Mark Beaubien was
mine host, stood near the river, on Lake
street, and was, perhaps, the most popu-
lar hosiery Of it's time in the city. It
Is not generally known that this house
is still i'll existence, but such is In reality
the case. 1t was removed one block
northwest of its original site. where, in
a much-improved and remodeled state.
it now stands, bearing no suggestion of
antiquity in its outward appearance.
Many incidents are related of this hotel.
and Of the scenes and incidents which
occurred there. Some Of these are we'll
worth repeating, but limited space for.
bids the mention of moro than one.
Guests who stopped at the house and
were given the best chamber sometimes
had strange and startling experience
A man would go to bed and sleep sound
ly until just before dawn, when he
would be awakened by CRY Of "Indi-
ans, Indians. At the same time some
one would rush into the room, snatch
the bed-olothing from the bed, and dart
out again before tho astonished guest
could get his eyes fairly opened. With
visions OF infuriated savages, glapoing
tomahawks and flowing blood, the terri
fled man would jump ont of bed, hurry
himself into his garments and bolt out
Of the room, confident that terrible
Indian massacre was in progress. But
imagine his overwhelming amazement
and confusion when. on rushing into
the cuisine of the hotel, where breakfast
was III course of preparation, he would
f,n 11y INF Int T.
himself without oause-that there were
no signs of an Indian outbreak or any
disturbance Of tho peace whatever. To
make the mystery more dense, nobody
could tell him who the person was that
had wakened him in such an outrageous
manner. He would question everybody
about the hotel, but each and all of
them would wear look of hopeless be-
wilderment, and either pronounce the
whole affair a perplexing puzzle, or in
sinuate that he had been dreaming.
This same thing occurred at different
times, and with different guests, always
with the same result. The victims gen
orally arrived at the conclusion that it
was practical joke, perpetrated by
somebody in the hotel for his own indI-
vidual amusement. Ono night man
stopped at the house who had heard
about this trick, and was prepared to
battle the joker if any attempt should be
made to deprive him of his morning
nap. Sure enough, shortly before day
light, he was aroused by terrible com
motion. His door was thrown open and
somebody plunged into the room, shout
ing in thrilling tones: "Ind1ans, Indi-
ans; quick, for your livesl The Indians
are upon us!" The bedclothes were
whisked off the bed, and the mysterious
intruder vanished. The man cooIly
rose, picked up the bedclothes from tile
floor, put them back in their place,
crawled into bed again, and was soon
enjoying comfortable nap. Some
time later q hand shook him gently, He
looked up into the anxious tace of the
landlord. 'Say, mister, it's O'Clock:
you'll have to get up"
"Why, what's the matter2"
well, breakfast ought to have been
ready an hour ago, and we can't finish
it till you got up"
''Do you take mo for the cook?'
"No, but want that sheet you're ly-
ing OH. It's the only one in the house
that can he used fora n tablecloth, and we
want to set the table,"
That was the explanation. The Indi-
an scare WAS n rusa to get the sheet for
the breakfast table.