Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-04
AT PORT TOBACCO
A Washington Wheelman's Weird
Experiences.
HOTELS THAT WANTED NO GUESTS
Dinner With All the OsIicacies Of
the Season.
HARDLY A PLEASURE TRIP

dAHOlIx "A RLEASU IKE TRlP
Judging from statements DO frequently
heard about Charles county one might
imagine that the dogs and horses as well
a. other beasts Of the field are unable
to stand unless there Is a fence against
which they may lean in their many mo-
nents Of weakness. A local wheelman,
however. who made a tour of the county
one Sunday came to the conclusion that
he had often heard the county slandered.
Possibly this particular wheelman went
through the particular sections of the
county In which the residents were more
progressive than those in the parts where
the much-talked-of fences have to sup
port the animals and where a moving dog
leans against his masters leg. 1t hap
pened that this wheelman was called to
Port Tobacco. the county seat. on business
and Ii was necessary for him to be there
Saturday night Port Tobacco Is on line
,f railroad where cars are not very plenti-
Jul and trains never run on Sundays except
N case OF a threatened flood the next day.
Not desiring to remain in this village all
Say Sunday the Washingtonian took with
him his bicycle. intending to ride to Mar
shall Hall Sunday and return on the
steamer Manchester.
1t was nearly dark when the train
stopped near the southern terminus of the
road and the conductors assistant. a col
ored man wearing a blue suit and brass
buttons. put his head in the car and
shouted: pete 'erbacco.'
Il would like to know" said the wheel
nan to a native. which way TO go to Port
Tobacco"
'.You's there now"
But mean the county seat?'
so do l."
what 1 mean is. where is the court
souse?''
THE cote house." chuckled the country
man. Then you are going to town? That $
a short piece down the road
Thank you"
And so the wheelman sped of in the d.
rection OF the town that was once one OF
the greatest tobacco shipping ports In the
state of Maryland As the wheelrnan passed
along over the passably good road darkness
overlook him. and IL became necessary to
light the lamp to warn pedestrians and
drivers of his approach and also to Ilumi-
sate the road
Lots of Trouble.
9ut II was only a short time before the
light caased trosale. for not only were half
a dozen horses frightened, but some colored
pedestrians. who were taken by surprise.
thought that his satanic majesty had ap-
peared on earth, and although there was
more than one volley of profanity in their
innermost hearts. they were Offering up
prayers that they might be saved from
what appeared to be upon them.
Suddenly the road seemed to stop at the
top of a hill and in the darkness the wheel
man was puzzled as to how he would reach
the bottom. Dismounting his silent steed
he made his way down the steep road End
reaching the bottom of the hill several
lights in houses made IL evident that he
had reached a country cross-road or what
might be termed a village.
How tar from here is Port Tobacco?" Re
asked pedestrian. whose color was not
visible IN the darkness. but who proved TO
be an intoxicated colored man.
"You's dar now" was his response.
"And so this is Port Tobacco" said the
wheelman in a tone indicating a degree of
doubt that might get him in hot water.
Are there any hotels hersT' he asked.
Did you see town down here whar
you couldn't find hotel?'' the colored citi-
zen retorted. seemingly indignant at the
stranger even suggesting such an idea,
The wheelman confessed he had not, I; nd
then proceeded to make friends with him.
He was a stranger In a strange land and a
guardian angel on earth was necessary
Just at that time. He fully realized that
IL was necessary for him to have at least
one friend there. and SO he called the ne
gro John in q familiar way and made him
almost believe they were two of a kind
DE best hotel" sail John. lis just across
here" and the tired wheelman. anticipating
a good supper of spring chicken. early veg
etables. and. perhaps. some fruit and a
comfortable bed. FASTENED over TO the hote
the train would reach there ahead of him
and take the last room in the house.
An Inhospftab Host.
Good evening" the wheelman said to the
hotel-keeper; can you accommodate me
for the nightT'
I'm afraid not" he said. There Is a
picnic over on the river shore tomorrow and
as my family will attend the gathering !
guess We can't take any guests tonight"
Have / got TO sleep in the WOODS to-
night?' the faithful negro was asked. "A
hotel. and no guests are wanted"
Wait. boss" said John, wen go over
here to this hotel and see what's doing"
Instead of going to a hotel John turned to
boarding house. but the picnic was the at
traction Of the season, and so the wheelman
again thought he would have to sleep in
the woods
Are there any snakes in this county?''
he asked the guide.
What's de matter, boss. Is you scared?
was his response
-Oh. no." answered the wheelman Il
was Just thinking would like place free
from snakes. in case ! have to sleep in the
woods all night"
You aIn't got to sleep in no woods" he
Faid- I'VE amt been to all the hotels yit'
From the boarding house the pair went
over TO large building, said to be a hotel
and here the wheelman was made happy.
Certainly can accommodate YOU" said
tne proprietor; that's what I'm here for"
Then there were two happy men The
wheelman was delighted at the idea of Sc
curing place for the night, and the hotel
man was pleased at the idea of having a
guest TO battle with the mosquitoes
Supper was suggested, ard the little man,
who was watching for another customer
assured his guest that he would have no
cause for complaint. For" he said, I'VE
are going to have something this evening
that we have only had once before this sea-
son"
Can 1t be frogs on toast?' the wheelman
asked himself. Soft crabs, or does he mean
spring Chicken
There was a long interval between the
time OF his arrival and the ringing of the
Dell announcing that supper time had ar
rived. and during this time the half-starye1
wheelman imagined he saw chickens decan-
ftsted or the hired man wading the marsh
with lantern. looking for the soft crabs or
frogs. -
Surely II will be a great spread he
thought to himself and the anttcipa tions Of
the proprietor made him feel all the more
certain that there was to be a nemorabIe
feast.
There were mosquitoes that make their
presence felt. and they were thicker than
bees about hive that Is being robbed
But the natives minded them not. end. in.
deed. many Of them were in a condition N
make them wholly unconscious of anything
except that they wanted the stranger 10
pay for their drinks, although they were
not particular about the payment
As the wheelmen sat on the porch In
front OF the place enjoying the sweet an