Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-09-05
An indian Scare.

The Lake Street House, Chicago, one
of tie earliest hotels OF Chicago, of
which the bioulous Mark Beaubien was
mine host, stood near the river, on Lske
street, and was, perhaps, the most popu-
lar hostelry of its time in the city. 1t
Is not generally known that this house
is still III existence, but such is in reality
the case. It 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 well
worth repeating, but limited space for
bids the mention of more 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 uf ''Indi-
ans, Indians. At the same time some
one would rush into the room, snatch
the bed-ciothing from the bed, and dart
DClOkC iuC dctoulSlCo &uCot
could get his eyes fairly opened. With
visions of infuriated savages, glaDcing
tomahawks and flowing blood, the terri
fed man would jump ont Of bed, hurry
himself into his garments and bolt out
of the room, confident that q 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 IN course of preparation, he would
be coclly informed that he was alarming
himself without cause-that there were
no signs of an Indian outbreak or any
disturbance of the peace whatever. 10
make the mystery more dense. nobody
could tell hlm who the person was that
had wakened hlm in such an outrageous
manner. He would question every body
about the hotel, but each and all of
them would wear look of hopeless be-
wilderment, and either pronounce the
whole affair 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 a practical joke, perpetrated by
somebody in the hotel for his own indI-
vidual amusement. One night a 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 depnve 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: Indians. Indi-
ans; quick, for your hvesl The Indians
are upon usw The bedclothes were
whisked off the bed, and the mysterious
intruder vanished. The man cooIly
rose, picked up the bedclothes from the
floor, put them back In their place,
crawled into bed again, and was soon
enjoying a comfortable nap. Some
time later hand shook him gently. He
looked up into the anxious face of the
landlord. Say, mister, it's o'clock:
you'll have to get up"
"Why, what's the natter"
"WeD. breakfast ought to have been
ready an hour ago, and we can't finish
it TIL you get up"
''Do you take me for the cook?'
nc, but l want that sheet you're ly-
ing on. Its the only one in the house
that can lie used fora tablecloth, and We
want to set the table"
That was the explanation. the Indi-
an scare was ruse TO get the sheet for
the breakfast table