The National tribune., 1900-02-22
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY FEBRUARY e 1900

bed in the house. Mr.. Shuman must share
both of them with him, and his friend
finally, though reluctantly, consented.
Armed with a greasy candlestick, on which
there was half-burnt tallow candle and a
dirty pair OF snuffers, the landlord piloted
the two to their room. The rooms of a
country tavern" in those days and in that
region were never remarkable either for
their luxurious furnishings or their tidiness.
This particular room was very plain and
simple; it could scarcely have been more so.
A rough bedstead, with a few simple bed
clothes upon it, stood in one corner; rickety
old lounge stood on one side; a rag.carpet,
the worse for long wear and much tear,
covered the center of the floor. This in
ventory embraced the entire furniture OF
the room, with the exception Of a small
stand made of rough pine for the ac-
commodation of the candlestick. But.
as he often remarked during his
travels, Mr.. Lincoln wasn't at all par
ticular." The two friends hurried into bed,
and here is Mr.. Shuman'S s account of the eN-
periences that followed: Il went to sleep
right off; but after an hour or so / was
awakened by Mr.. Lincoln getting up, strik-
ing match, and lighting the candle.
What's the matter. Mr. Lincoln? / asked.
L can't sleep he replied, and am going
to explore a little. The fact is, Shuman,
there are too many OF us in this bed Not
understanding what he meant | proposed
to go downstairs and sleep in chair leav-
ing him alone to get the rest he so much
needed. %, no, he said; Il don't mean you.
I'll show you what l mean Thereupon
with sudden jerk he lifted the bed-clothes
from the foot of the bed, and pointed to a
dozen or two of fleeing bed-bugs. See there!
those fellows have been feeding upon my
shins for the past hour, and can't stand it
any longer For the first time since had
known him Mr.. Lincoln exhibited consider
able impatience, and something like anger.
He left the bed in disgust, and threw him
self upon the rickety old lounge at the other
side of the room, declaring his purpose to
lie there the remainder of the night,
with nothing but his apology for pillow
between him and the rough plank which
constituted the seat of the lounge. l
couldn't permit that, of course; so took
most of the clothing off the bed and tucked
it under and around him, making him as
comfortable as possible. The light was
extinguished, and | rejoined my multitude
nous companions in the bed, who, apparent
distance. | was just falling off into sleep,
when | heard the old lounge creaking. 1t
was evident that its occupant was not get
ting the sleep he sought for. He turned
from one side to the other several times;
he gave an occasional kick; finally he
either?" inquired. Not bit of it-there is
no sleep for me here He arose, and so did
l. We again lighted the candle, and with
it examined the lounge. 1t fairly swarmed
with bed-bugs! To make a long and
painful story short it was finally agreed
between us that Mr.. Lincoln should make a
bed for himself on the rag-carpet in the
center of the floor, he vigorously protest
ing at first against taking the lions share
of the hed-clothes. but insisted, and carried
my point. We doubled up the straw mat
treSs and the carpet on the floor, and Mr..
Lincoln, lying down, wadded up his pillow
into a bunch under his head, and after
| had tucked quilt and blanket around
him and wished him better luck this time,
we resumed our efforts to sleep. twas now
II o'clock. and in order to take the train
it was necessary for us to be up for break
fast at o'clock. Mr.. Lincoln declared
when making his hasty toilet by the sickly
light of our tallow candle, next morning
that he never in all his life had soundel
or more restful sleep than that which
followed his battle with the bed-bugs.
The last time 1 ever saw Abraham Lincoln
to speak with him. the late Norman B
Judd, and several others being present
he narrated this little adventure of ours
in that old country tavern"
Go be continued.D