The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-07
THE WOLF IN SLEEPS CLOTHING.

No sir, not very late, said the night porter
at the old Hummums Hotel, as John Needham,
having rung the door bell, entered the hall
THE trains alter their times on Sunday" said
Needham, land had to walk several miles be-
fore l could get cab
''Yes, sir, that's the worst of Sunday travel
ling. I"
'Bar closedl" asked Needham, sitting in the
porters chair.
''Yes, sir; but they leaves me out some whisky,
and brandy and soda; which will you take. STRIP
soda and brandy"
'Yes, SIR"
The porter foraged about in mysterious cor
ner and produced the liquor Nsedham drank
it off at draught
II was very thirsty he said; "can you give
me anotherl"
YES sir"
"And pair of slippersl"
'"There they are, sir" said the porter placing
bootjack and pair of slippers at the guests
feet and then proceeding to open another bottle
of soda
Needham dragged off his boot with some diff
Guilty, and the porter assisted him to put on the
slippers
'Any cigarsr'
''Yes SIR"
Never mind I think have one."
He pulled out Joseph Norbury's cigar case,
took out a cigar and laid the case the shelf of
the bar window 1t was rather showily en-
broidered Casa present from his sister. He
hoped the porter would recognize it.
The porter gave him light and then handed
him the case
"a pretty thing is it notf said Needham.
That's just what was a-thinking sir"
IA present from my sister,"
''Yes. sir, and its very becoming; snowy but
not gaudy. as they says"
Needham drank his second brandy with only
n very small quantity of soda, and then asked for
cardle
Taking it from the porter he hesitated and then
said: 81 always forget my number, will you not
show me the way2"
''Oh, yes sir, with pleasure let me see now,
what is the number; sitting and bedroom, amt
itr
s'Needham did not answer; he was busy re-
lighting his cigar.
''You come in Thursday night, Midland, of
course / remember the overcoat, of course, Mr..
Norbury, No Is, seeing you in evening dress
didn't strike me, and you speaks little differ
ent got cold, that's what you've got SIR walk
in in the wet; stupid of me to forget, and
brides myself in my memory for customers; you
goes to Liverpool to. morrow morning, of course,
henroot for America, beg your pardon sir, Pm
sure"
Don't mention it, said Needham, following
the porter, who led the way up two flights of
stairs and along a winding passage to what
seemed to be the back part of the house.
Then pausing, the porter turned the handle of
the door.
LOCKED SIR"
'There's the key" said Needham; sis it un-
usual to lock ones door,
ayes, sir; if gentlemen have any valuables
they generally leaves EN- at the bar
The porter unlocked the door; Needham fol-
lowed him into the room.
slave you no more candles"
"Oh, yes sir; there's two on the dressing
ing-table."
Light them"
'sYes, sir"
'Any morep
Candles, sirl"
ayes"
''There's two on the sittingroom mantel."
He opened another door and went into the
sitting room
Light them"
"Yes SIR"
81 have some writing to do before L 60 to bed !,
Eyes, sir, what time will you be called, sir9"
''My train goes at TO- think"
''Euston for Liverpooll Yes SIR"
"Call me at T."
ayes, sir"
'Do you get the Observer here!"
.The what, srp'
1.-THE Observer newspaper"
''The Sunday paper2 Yes, SIR"
II shall want something to read in the train.
There's five shillings; get me all the different
papers you can that come out on Sundays.
Let me have them when am called. Shall you
cali mei'
Eyes, sir. I goes off at g."
s'Thats all right"
s"Thankee, sir. Good night SIR"
cat last" Needham exclaimed, finging him
self upon couch, ''at last"
He spoke no more, nor spoke for long time,
but fell into profound slsep-slept as quietly as
an innocent, good man is supposed to sleep He
was physically tagged and worn OUT and nature
would no longer be denied.
The candles were nearly burnt out when he
awoke He rubbed his eyes and looked around
him. Then he got up and shivered. The sun
light was struggling through the Whitley brown
blinds. He walked across the room, drew the
blind aside and peered out.
Eyes, I've been to Sleep" he said; lit is
no dream, have done it all-all! What energy!
And thought could only lie down and die.
What crime 1 thought | had waded in it
already TO my very lips!"
He looked at his watch.
-Four oclock-morning They used to talk Of
Coyent Garden as a sight to see at o'clock,
the country folk-Covent Garden and Billings
gate!r