Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-12-19
WEST VIRGINIA PHILOSOPHERS.

"A burnt child breads the fire. "a
lsed child breads water once burn
I'd, twice shy these are three proverb-
vial ways of saying that one finger is
enough to use in learning that buzz
saw may be moving, though it seems
to be standing still. There are more
ways than there are proverbs of exem-
plifying the inherent truth of these
proverbs; and each was is interesting,
if not Immediately, yet in the long run
and the run is not necessarily so
long.
down at H, w. Va" said the
man who knew about proverbs, to a
New York Sun reporter, there is a
hotel. This is not strange to you, but
probably you have not been in H.
l have been there. By way Of digres
sion, let me remark that in all these
small country towns Of Virginia and
its coparcener States, it is astonishing
how easy it is to arrive and how hard
it is to depart. At whatever hour you
may have arrived, you are certain to
take the train after midnight and before
o'clock. This arrangement effectually
Spoils the night for sleeping purposes
or for amusement. But then, there is
no amusement.
ITO resume, reached H at some
seasonable hour and put at the hotel,
did what | had to do, and as l had
been up most of the preceding night
turned in about nine o'clock, leaving
word at the office to be called about
one O'Clock, as the train left srortly be-
fore two.
In time I was called. SO I dressed
quickly, paid my bill, seized my bag,
and hurried to the depot about a
block away. Half along the block l
happened to look at the hotel, and saw
that every lamp in it was out, and the
mouse was as dark as pitch.
AT the station l found policeman,
who seemed pleased to see me.
How soon is the train due?" l
asked, by way of opening a short con-
versation.
Bout hour and half said he,
pleasantly.
What I yelled. Then 1 looked at
my watch. 1t was just 1890.
THE policeman watched with judicial
amusement while / made certain re-
marks about the hotel people. When l
ended took my time-he said:
Well, now, things strike people
differently, don't they? Bout a month
ago there was a Teller down t hotel
had two bags, regular drummer. He
left word, same's you, to be called for
the train, an then turned in. But they
forgot him-didn't call him till after 2;
train on time that night, too.
'We-ell, when they remembered.
ft9Tv-
clerk-smart chap, that clerk; guess
hotel clerks hez to be smart-the clerk
he set the clocks back; made 'em seem
to be about l O'Clock stead of after 2.
Then he called the drummer. The
drummer he dressed quick, paid his bill,
same's you grabbed mis- two grips. omen
each hand, and hurried over here.
was here-just as | am tonight, and
carefully, SOS not to excite him too
much too quick, let him know that he
was an hour behind the train, and tibet
he'd have to- wait another IL hours or
SO. Jest as | let you know-on'y for
a difference O. time.
'We-ell! What's that drummer do
but pick up his grips-one'n each hand.
walk back to the hotel. and goin' up
to the window Of the Office, pitch them
two grips right through the, glass
smash. The first one hit the clerk,
Knocked him down; second one lit on
his head as he lay there Guess I'm
even on the game" said the drummer.
Since then-'bout month ago
they've called ev'ry one a hour ahead
O the train, and they put the lights out
soon's fellow leaves the hotel-matter
o caution, you know
That's why L started with a pro-
verb"