The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-29
THE DRUhMER'S STORY.
His Nights Lodging and Hair Rails
ing Experience With . Corpse
That Was Not Dead.
Observation-Disclosures


That Was Not Dead. o
3oooooooooooooooooooooooou
One of the old time "drummers," who
has been In the harness nearly half a
century, recently spun yarn which was
listened to one evening by a number Of
the profession, and constantly increas-
ing crowd Of listeners, who were treated
to tale worth reproduction, as IT IL edd,
unique and slightly romantic as well a.
hair raising. As near as can be recalled,
the old gentleman told his story about
as follows:
NEARLY 40 years ago was an adven-
turous young chap OH my way from the
state of New York to some new points
In the Buckeye State. had been on the
road for time as what you now call an
old fashioned traveller, but was out Of
employment then, and was working my
way along from place to place, without
any particular object in view beyond the
possibility Of reaching the Western Re-
serve, where had friends whom l might
appeal to, unless struck something, bet
ter en- route.
~ had got well along through western
Pennsylvania and had gathered in few
dollars at one small village, but was soon
Obliged to start out for new fields. con-
cluded l would move to larger point
about 80 miles to the west through q
sparsely settled and wild country.
II began my journey shortly after sun
up one day and made very good progress
until 2 or 3 o'clock, when storm arose,
and took refuge in cave could see up
on the hillside in the cliffs. 1t kept me
dry, but lost my bearings when came
out to resume my journey, and in two
minutes had no idea which way l was
going.
II kept going, however, and when
night came on hadn't the rcmotest con-
ception OF my bearings except that l was
in the woods and the only road abouAme
did not appear to lead anywhere. After
foundering about until o'clock or later
perhaps struck what appeared to be a
more generally travelled roadway, and in
the distance along that highway | saw
what appeared to be u light in window.
II struck ont that way. ! knew from
experience that western Pennsylyanians
were, as rule, hospitable and generous
to fault with strangers and doubted not
but that I would find cordial welcome.
at was house Of Misunderstanding
and logs and much more pretentious than
others had seen along the road, but its
situation was decidedly the loneliest
had ever seen. 1t was practically in the
midst of big wood
81 stepped boldly to the door and
knocked. 1t was opened quickly by a
comely woman, who showed signs of
alarm at my appearance, though she had
opened the door as quickly as though she
had been looking for me. She did not
ask me to come in, but l told her ] was
lost, hungry, tired and dirty and sleepy
and begged her to accommodate me for
the night
"Shc said she was sorry, but she
couldn't do it. asked her how far it
was to the next house, and when she told
me it was three miles | told her she
would have to take me in whether she
would or not. as was utterly tuckered
out and couldn't walk rod further.
'She hesitated, but finally said l could
stay, provided didn't have any objection
~ biSCpfhH III Il iooiii Win a NOirfN.
wasn't looking for that sort of room
mate, and the proposition startled me.
But was tired enough to have slept in
Il morgue, and ! told her it would be all
right, il she could brace me up with
bite Of supper
'She fed me in few minutes on lot
of cold things. I'LL Of which tasted very
good, and then she conducted me into the
adjoining room, whose chief occupant
was the corpse, lying OH a table covered
with a sheet. A lounge stood alongside
the wall not far away, and this, the hos
tess informed me, might occupy.
''She offered no information concerning
my roommate, and was sufficiently po-
lite not to ask for none. Evidently it was
no one she cared much about, as She
showed no signs Of grief.
"A lamp was burning dimly on the
mantel. and by this she said could light
myself to bed when l was ready to re-
tire. was ready as soon MS she got out,
and in minute had off my muddy boots
and coat, and was soon under the only
covering the lounge afforded-a piece of
cloth, which resembled an old cast off
horse blanket Of some kind.
while l was absolutely tagged out,
couldn't 80 to sleep, though dozed lit
tie during the first half hour. The
of the whole business grew
upon me each time turned over to start
in on much needed nap, and began to
recall the tales had heard about coun-
terfeiters, Illicit stills, ETC., in that Sec
ton.
"At last opened by eyes wide and lay
watching the figure upon the table, or
rather the outlines as shown by the sheet.
While thus engaged ! saw movement
beneath the sheet, and before had time
to think Of ghosts or realize what in the
world was going on, the corpse pushed
the sheet down in front Of him and beck
oncd for me to come over.
Il thought I had nightmare, perhaps,
and simrly stared in dumb nmazcmcnt.
1t beckoned again, and still receiving no
response, swore at ME in vigorous whis-
per and told me to get up and come closer
to him.
snow. | had lots Of grit, by Inherit
aDce, and my wits were gradually re.
turning TO ME. I was about to defy
ghosts and everything else of the sort
and walk over toward the supposed
corpse, when there was sound of
wheels outside, and could hear horse
and vehicle driven up and halted in front
Of the house.
'"rhe corpse hastily motioned me to
lie down again, and lodging beneath his
sheet as he was at first profound ST.
lence reigned In the room. Everything
was ms dim and mysterious as it was be-
fore the disturbance.
There was more movement in the next
room, however, and heard the woman
open the door carefully and let in a
man, whose voice l could hear now and
then as the two talked in low tones over
which appeared to please
them good deal, as they laughed quite
heartily at times. Once l thought I
saw the sheet on the table shake, but l
wasn't quite certain.
ut was then about o o'clock, and II I,
Iancied some neighbor had come in to sit
up with the dead Presently the woman
opened the dopr of our room very gently,