Year: 1859




that the occurrence related Is strictly true
- friend OF ours, who does business on Mair
street, In this city, was travelling few week:
ago In Arkansas, some 30 or 60 miles below
Memphis As night came on at the conclusion
0f long days travel, he arrived at a solitary
house, where 1t appeared the. residents within
were already preparing to retire to rest. He
Knocked ut the door, head was protruded
from window, and in reply TO question from
the owner of the head, he said he wished to
stay for the night. The head was withdrawn
and consultation apparently took place with
some one within, and after little delay the head
was again advanced, and our friend was ask ed
his name. We will not give the name stated
that Of 90 'Fulkerson'' will answer the same pur.
pose. Fulkerson," repeated the man with
the head out Of the window, as if surprised and
not agreeably SO. - Yes John Fulkersop, y
was the reply. in q tone that had an expression
OF lmpatience about il; for the traveller was
hungry as well as tired and not being a priest
fasting never smoOthed his temper The head
was again withdrawn at this announcement as
rapidly as an lriShman once withdrew his
when he knelt and took drink out of one Of
the boiling springs of the State in which the
adventure we are relating took place.. Some
time now elapsed; the night was cold, and our
hungry friend found his quarters in front of the
solitary house not at all to his mind At length
he hammered violently Mt the door several





more indicative of n flexible tongue than of
profound piety. He then took n look round
the premises, to ascertain, if possible, the rea-
son OF the unaccOuntable delay. Ho discoy.
cred man stealing silently away in the rear.
who jumped over the fence and set off in a run,
that spoke we'll for his agility in the direction
of the timber. The front door was opeped at
this moment, and negro girl called to him to
come in.


On entering he could discover nothing sus-
plclous; good supper was set before him and
ne was attentively waited upon. He noticed.
however, that the negro was very curt in her
replies to hisquestions, and that when he asked
anything about the inmates of the place she
manifested an emotion that looked like alarm
lie retired to bed. too greatly fatigued TO re-
hect much upon the singularity of this con-
duct; he slept well, and was at on early hour
eating his breakfast, when he observed a pair
Of eyes intently gazing at him from a chink in
the wall that divided the room in which he sat.
from an adjoining passage. Determined to
know the meaning of the singular behavior he
had observed in that place-for every individ-
ual about 1T. whom he accosted, answered him
with trepidatiOH in the fewcst possible words,
and then hurried away from him as if in fear
he rushed into the passage and catching hold of
the man whose eyes had been so b1sily en-
gagged, he demanded the reason of his singular
scrutiny The man appeared overcome with
~
a.Or at one recognized as the same he had heard
on the previous night-if Mr. Fulkerson in
tended to stay? No. Mr.. Fulkerson would 90
as soon as he had finished his breakfast and
paid his bill, but he insisted on knowing why
50 much spying and whispering were going oni
Why, are you not Mr.. Fulkerson that owns
this house :" asked the man. No, never
saw the house before" was the reply. In n
moment look of intense satisfaction beamed
from the mans face which had before worn a
troubled expression, and without another word
he rushed up stairs, three or four steps at n
time, and quickly returned, bringing with him.
a Portiy looking dame, whose eyes were red as
ii with weeping, and exclaimed in a tone of
Joyous surprise rs soon as she caught sight OF
our bewildered friend, who could not for the
life Of him guess what had bewildered the
fOlks-''Is it not John?''


An explanation then ensued from which il
appeared that the house in which our friend
had spent the night, had formerly been the
property of a man of the same name as himself.
Ihls man had been absent some years As
nothing had been heard from him during all
that time, his better half, the lady who ap-
pcared 40 much pleased that he was not s.John.' ~
had resolved to take another husband and the
knot was to be tied that very evening On the
previous evening. b: intended second husband
was paying his atteStiOns TO lover, when tho
announcement of the name of John Fulker-
o'h ioIh our iTlenu IN n moment spread dis
may and CONSERVATION where all had been iny
and anticipation. The lover stole off the back
way, TO be beyond the reach of danger; the
lady had spent the night in weeping Once
she had mOurned her husbands absence, now
she srieved over his return. The quietness of
the unexpected and unw6lcome guest had,
however, somewhat Treasured the distressed
couple; the lover had cautiously returned TO the
house, and was making his observations. when
our friend unccremoniously seized him. The
tidings were quickly spread and laughter and
inirth soon filled the dwelling that had been
dOleful with disappointment and sorrow. The
traveller was heartily invited TO stop and par
take of the wedding supper; his business called
him away, however, but he has since learned
that the marriage took place without any out
ward interruption. IL the real John Fulker-
son. Of Arkansas should be alive and see this.
let him take warning and never approach the
house he has deserted; for he is most emphat-
ically not wanting.