THE OLD INN; OR, The Travellers' Entertainment.
BYJOSIAH BARNES, SEN.,
NEW YORK: J.C. DERBY, 119 NASSAU STREET. BOSTON: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO. CINCINNATI: H. W. DERBY.
1855.Entered, according to Act of Congress, by J. C. DERBY, in the Clerk's Office of the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. Printed and Stereotyped by HOLMAN, GRAY & CO., Cor. of Centre and White strs., N. Y. W.H. Tinson, Stereotyper 26 Beekman Street.
Preface.
A FEW preliminary words, dear reader, which you can run over in less than a minute.
There is one thing certain of writers: they cannot hide their imperfections. Defenseless individuals they are, and it would seem that they ought on that account alone to be charitably contemplated. Moreover they work for the gratification of their fellows—searching heaven and earth—often times the other place, too—for things which they may reduce to communicable shape. They wear out brain, muscle—turn night into day, and shed ink incalculably. All this they do with the fear of the Public constantly before their eyes, and with a nice regard to the Public's wants. Are they not entitled to charity? If they are not, I, as an humble, self-styled member of the fraternity, distinctly state, that I don't know why.
The book which you are now going to read (if according to Todd's advice you are reading the preface first) is just what it is—imperfect in many places, yet as a whole pretty much what I expected to make it. I started out with the intention of producing page: vi[View Page vi] ducing something that all those who read for amusement merely would find acceptable. I hope I have succeeded. I have worked hard enough for it, I know. I have worked earnestly, too. The characters which you will meet with have not been mere idle phantoms to me. I have laughed and I have wept with them. The thread of their lives has been mine. And they have not passed away. Oh, no! They live as really to my soul as the friend who sits beside me now.
But I will not tire you. I want you to begin fresh. And I want you to read right along, too. When you discover a fault, don't let your mind dwell upon it; for if you do, you'll miss the spirit of all that follows, make yourself sour, and pain me—if I should ever know it.
J. B., SEN.
Contents.
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- INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
A Storm—The Old Inn—The Writer esconced ensconced for the Night—His Introduction to a company of Fellow Travellers—A systematic Entertainment proposed—Proposition accepted, and a Person chosen to lead off. 9 -
- CHAPTER II. THE LITTLE DRY MAN'S STORY.
His Birth—Childhood—Youth—His getting in Love—Rivalship—Grievous Disappointment—Crime—Journey to Naples—Return—Intolerable Remorse—Self-Banishment to Germany—Second Love—Marriage—Death of his Wife—Return of Remorse—Dissipation—Ruin—Salvation from imminent Death—Return home—Wandering again to escape the Pangs of the undying Worm. 21 -
- CHAPTER III. THE SUPPOSED LAWYER'S STORY.
His leaving Home—Short Experience in the City—Going to Sea—A Storm—Wreck. 64 -
- CHAPTER IV. SUPPOSED LAWYER'S STORY CONTINUED.
Going again to Sea—Monotonous Experience—Adventure with Pirates—Presentiment—Dream—Struggle for Life—Thrilling Sequel. 99 - page: viii[View Page viii]
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- CHAPTER V.
Incident of a Day at the Old Inn—Renewal of the Entertainment. 153 -
- CHAPTER VI. THE QUAKER'S STORY.
His Childhood—Seraph—The light colored Lie—Seraph's Death—His Grief—New Acquaintance—Joshua—Story about old Doctor Shaum—Renewal of old Acquaintance under other Circumstances—Fanny, and so forth—A good deal of it. 164 -
- CHAPTER VII. QUAKER'S STORY CONTINUED.
His Youth—Studies Medicine—Malpractice of one S. Toom—Great Tribulation—Gradual Emancipation—Sweet Things—Presentiments—Goes to Europe—Further Malpractice of S. Toom—Detained Prisoner of War—Return Home—Overwhelming Grief—Despair—Ray of Light—Happy Ending. 238 -
- CHAPTER VIII. ELLEN'S GRAVE.
The Child—The Maiden—Ruin—Death. 321
