Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-10-01
THE ROOM AT BARRELL'S.


THE ROOM AT BARRELL'S.
Tony and were rooming together
Mt summer place on tho New Eng
land coast One morning we received
invitations to q party. to be given at
a resort only short distance away.
We accepted at once, and within a
few days had made arrangements with
a Miss Charlotte Barrell for room on
the night Of the party.
When we reached the station half
dozen other persons besides ourselves
squeezed into a stage. and then were
jostled over a rough and dusty road
for nearly half an hour during which
period every occupant tried politely to
keep out Of every other persons lap.
and at the same time did his utmost to
prevent real estate from getting into
his eyes and down his throat. Finally
we turned down side lane, and drew
up at small, painless, weather.
beaten two-story house, every one OF
us wondering what poverty-stricken
person was fated to alight there.
Miss Barrell'sr' shouted the driver.
Tony started. gasped a little. and
looked at me. When we alighted we
saw Miss Charlotte Darrell filling the
doorway. She wore a calico gown.
embroidered slippers, curl papers and
a smile. She impressed me as having
weathered not less than some forty
eight odd winters.
''Well!" she exclaimed.
Not very we'll, thank YOU" said
Tony.
Poor soul. indeed. I'm real sorry.
Come right up to your room. and clean
yourself and you'll feel heap better.
Charming girl. Tony" remarked.
Yes; but / say. Tom. do l really
LOOK US though l ought to be cleaned"
NO Tony. that's nothing but the
rustic New England way Of saying to
wash your face and hands"
Our room was in the second story.
II was very small. and had but one
window. There were only Ave pieces
OF furniture In It; two beds. COM
posite bureau and two
chairs. There was a closet but not
being lighted by electricity. It couldn't
be used. One bed was larger than
the other, 90 Tony and I tossed up for
it. and ! won the toss.
We'll. Tony. what do you think Of
the roome"
Its what I call Charlotte
But ! say, Tom. light the kerosene
and bring 1t over herc--I want to see
what that is hanging up in the closet. "
lighted the lamp and took it over
TO the closet door. where Tony was
standing armed with an umbrella.
What had alarmed him was one OF
Charlotte's gowns. Tony poked II
with the umbrella.
We'll, / swear. Tom. this Charlotte
is q queer Barrell."
why. Tony?' asked, looking
most carefully ut the garment.
She doesn't wear hoops, or--ol
stays"
Then the light OF the kerosene
blushed. Hickered, and silently passed
away.
When evening arrived we were puz.
gled how both OF us were to dress in
that one room. / would have en-
camped on my bed and there prepared
for tho party had not the low ceiling
prevented. Tony's cot-bed was con
s.derably lower than NINE but it.
stability was 90 doubtful that Ton,
was unwilling to risk his nights SLEEP
by using it for q dressing-case. But
Ii spite Of all our difficulties we iinall,
succeeded In getting into our dress
suits and then started OF to the party.
The night was an ideal one for q
party. everything was we'll arranged
and the girls were both pretty ani
charming. The moonlight was 81
strong that whenever Tony took Z
stroll down on the beach with one O
the prettiest girls. he said he consid
cred i. only discreet and proper Il
take an umbrella
When we got home it was after on,
o'clock. There was no light in tn,
hall. and 90 We spent some time FUN
bling around for the bolts that were :,
fasten the door. Then we began Il
feel our way up the narrow, winding
stairs, Tony leading My foot slippet
once, and didn't gain repose until
had reached the lower hall Ton.
laughed out loud. but owing to tn
darkness didn't see the joke. Whel
we were in our room. the lighted LAM
made it 90 hot and close that We ha'
to open the window. Then beetles
ravenous mosquitoes and all such fowl
Of the air few in; once an anims
about the size Of buzzard entered
Tony Immediately shut himself In tn
cleset and crawled under my bed.
lis It gone. Tom?" Tony asked, afte
. long silence
mo. but am. I'm melting"
Som ]. and I'm su6ocating. too.
Som L"
But just then the animal lighted Q
the floor near the closet % crawle
out and slammed Tony's pillow Ut /
Then Tony came out. the perspiratio
coursine down his face. We decide