Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-12-30

-~~~~~~s.-~"~~~.~~~-~-sn
a Traveller. I
~~.~s
2 amusing narrative is
ON story which APP
ears ago in the London
'mercial traveller, IN his
|, came 10 one of the
Nre towns, where he found
Dirilal that the time which,
- lapse OF memory he had chosen
- his visit, was most iuopportune.
THE races were ON and every house
/ of accommodation was crowded TO cX-
cess. Upon application to the landlady
OF the hotel where he had been i'm the
habit of staying ne was informed that
every bed in the premises had been be-
spoken tor a week before his coming;
and more than this that even the very
floors and tables OF the diniuP-room
would be burdeued at night with rae
ing men and weary Recommendations.
I'VE are extremely sorry, sir said
Mrs. Bouitacc, that we cannot receive
YOU, am accu toned patron OF the house,
/ but uuG r existing circumstances it is
impossible chat we can. But she
added II vii. give you the names Of
some persons jn the town who let
rooms, and ro.has- YOU will find
/ among them some one who can put you
uP-at least, hope So"
Our friend took the list of names
with a rucful face and at once set
about the discovery Of place OF rest
for the night But all his search was
fruit.pss Every bed and possible
"shahoGoWu" I'm the whole district was
preca2aged; and if he would remain
in tie town he must walk the streets
until morning. But sooner than do
this he resolved TO return to his good
landaGy of former days and east him
self upon her benevolent continuance
and sympathy.
Upon my word, sir" she said, you
greatly distress and puzzle me. | really
do rot know where in the world l
can put you" But. after thinking for
a moment, she said: "Will YOU consent
to occupy the hostler's room, sir? 1t
stands i'm the back part of the premises,
and perhaps we can manage 10 make
it-at least, in some degree comfort
able"
The traveller thanked her warmly
and declared that the accommodation
she spoke of was the very thing un-
der the circumstances.
In about half an hour the hostler
was called, and told TO take lantern
and conduct the gentleman 20 his bed
room. The way proved TO be across
a large yard in the rear of the inn, up
stepladder, along narrow. boarded
passage. then mp three stairs, and final
~ through a doorway into the sleeping
apartment. Our traveller found upon
looking around that good use had been
made Of the half-hour he had been kept
waiting. \ carpet had been put on the
floor; the blankets and sheets were un-
eNceptiouable.
It was late In the autumn of the year
the nights were Iong-aud our friend,
rather tired. soon fell asleep, and did
not wake until the gray dawn of the
morning. and not even then, had he 20;
-, ,....,.,.,l ...,,,. ,.,, ....,.,i,,, I,,.,
the cntor pa.sao.. with an,a,,. step.ard
ert,ri,.o. ti. bedroom. Turning round
In bi. blanket. TO learn who was the i'm
trut,r he n,rrriyad a man. tall. gaunt
and ,-rsr,, bi. throat bare. ,he sleeves
or.Li. shirt turred All. and INF. hair all
lrI..mpt and s,anlino .gorroht ir. the
mos, , .-n-g,r,l manner. The dark
frpr. lr.,, re.r tie traveller, he'd
slammed over Linn and rrrred down
closely En- the dim robt. evidently
s,.,i.,.- o.. f,..1 ONT ~ lie nqr.or vino.
,b.rc WAS awake perceiyir.o. trat mi.
MA. The ca.a. our tra,orar. saw him I'm
The fr.,-r I.,bt. draw himself uDrfol.t
In ,Ee room. tbe1 .oremrIr raj ~ one
ANN extend f.. and no.-- with l,.. hand
-hr...ra ,r.. .,,fr,,.,v' t,., .pr.c. t.ut.f1e.
after which. NOR. .mpr,.--yeIv stfII. he
slowly recovered ,ne extended rmb