Year: 1870

The following incident was related to me
by member of the Baltimore bar, who at the
time of its occurranoe, was but recently ad.
mitted to practice. The truth of the state>
ment msy be depended on; and even to con,
versation introduced, give-T think-near-
ly word for word as reported to me.


At the period referred to, there were sew
eral single storied houses on the east side of
st. Paul street, each of which contained but
two rooms. They were rather missively-ae-
cording to present ntideas-constructed of brick,
but have been for long time displaced by
tall and stately buildings. One of these sim
gle-storied houses was occupied by my infor>
mant. The front apartment was used as law
office, the rare as sleeping room.


One calm and clear moonlight winter night,
when the snow lay deep upon the city streets
aud roofs. Mr.. was making prepara>
tions to retire to bed, when his front door bell
was rung. BE aroused his negro servant boy.
who was nodding on his stool by the chimney
corner, and sent him to open the door to the
late visitor. The boy almost Immediately re-
turned alone. He said that nobody was at
the door, but that gentleman was standing
in the snow in the middle of the street, talk
ing to himself and tossing his arms about.


Mr. - now went to the front door HIM
self. When he opened il he found one, who
was evidently gentleman-he could see that
by the Notwithstanding on the pavement
facing him.


"Was il you who who rang my bell ?" no
asked. "Ies, sir" was the reply. "I owe
you an apology for disturbing you at an hour
SO unreasonable. But the fact is, some
thoughts came into my head which wish to
paper; and, seeing light in your back win
dow" (the house stood upon the corner of an
alley, land considering it matter of course
that lawyers Office is supplied with station
ary, took the liberty of ringing your bell"


"You are very welcome, indeed" said the
young lawyer. walk in, sir"


The stranger followed him into the inner
apartment, where bright coal FIRE was burn
ing in the crate. The manner of his guest
was SO impressive of intellect that Mr..
offered him his bed; but the visitor only
asked the use of 4 chair, table and writing
materials. So the negro boy lay down upon
his pallet on the floor, aud the young lawyer
retired to his bed, leaving the stranger bend
ing over the table writing.


When Mr.. - awakened in the morning
his strange visitor was sitting in n chair with
his head upon the table, asleep. The motion
made by young lawyer on awakening aroused
the stranger. The latter seemed at once to
be wide awake. He arose from his seat,
thanked his host for his hospitality, and grace,
fully apologized for his intrusion on the pre-
vious night. He was then about to leave the
room.


"You are forgetting your manuscript"
said the young lawyer, pointing to some pieces
of paper on the table.


have a copy of what composed" said
the stranger, "and leave the original with you
as some acknowledgements of your kindness
under circumstances so trying.


The stranger left. The lawyer did not
know until long time afterwards, when the
"SOng of the Bells'-of which he still has tho
original-had been published aud became ia
nous that his singular visitor was Edgar A.
Poo.