The Other Lodgers

by Ambrose Bierce

" that train," said Colonel Levering, sitting Waldorf-Astoria hotel, " to remain nearly all night in Atlanta fine city, but I advise you not up Breathitt House, principal hotels an old wooden building in urgent need of repairs breaches walls that throw cat through The bedrooms have no locks doors, no furniture but single chair in each, and bedstead without bedding--just mattress Even these meager accommodations you that in monopoly; take your chance of being stowed in with lot of others Sir, most abominable hotel

"The night that I passed in an uncomfortable night I got in late and was shown to my room ground floor by an apologetic night-clerk with tallow candle, which he considerately left with me worn out by two days and night of hard railway travel and entirely recovered from gunshot wound head, received in an altercation Rather than look for better quarters I lay down mattress without removing my clothing and fell asleep

"Along toward morning I awoke The moon had risen and was shining in uncurtained window, illuminating the room with soft, bluish light which seemed, somehow, bit spooky, though I dare say it had no uncommon quality; all moonlight way observe it Imagine my surprise and indignation when the floor occupied by dozen other lodgers ! I sat up, earnestly damning the management unthinkable hotel, and was about to spring bed and make trouble night- clerk--him apologetic manner tallow candle--when something situation affected me with strange indisposition to move I suppose what story-writer might call 'frozen with terror ' men were obviously all dead !

"They lay on their backs, disposed orderly along three sides room, their feet walls--against the other wall, farthest door, stood my bed chair All the faces were covered, but under their white cloths the features two bodies that lay square patch of moonlight near the window showed in sharp profile nose and chin

" this bad dream and tried to cry out, as one does in nightmare, but could make no sound At last, with desperate effort I threw my feet floor and passing two rows of clouted faces two bodies that lay nearest the door, I escaped infernal place and ran office The night- clerk was there, behind the desk, sitting dim light of another tallow candle--just sitting and staring rise: my abrupt entrance produced no effect upon him, though looked veritable corpse myself It occurred then that I before really observed the fellow little chap, with colorless face whitest, blankest eyes I ever saw He had no more expression back hand His clothing was dirty gray

"'Damn you ! ' ; 'what ? '

"Just the same, shaking like leaf wind and recognize my own voice

"The night-clerk rose, bowed (apologetically) and--well, no longer there, and moment hand laid upon my shoulder from behind Just fancy that ! Unspeakably frightened, I turned and saw portly, kind-faced gentleman, who asked:

"' the matter, my friend ? '

" not long in telling him, but before an end of it he went pale himself 'See here,' , ' telling the truth ? '

"I had now got myself in hand and terror had given place to indignation ' dare to doubt it,' , 'I'll hammer the life out of you ! '

"'No,' he replied, 'don't ; just sit down till I tell you hotel It used ; afterward hospital Now unoccupied, awaiting tenant The room that you mention dead-room--there were always plenty of dead The fellow that you call the night-clerk used that, but later he booked the patients were brought in I don't understand his being here He dead few weeks '

"'And who ? ' I blurted out

"'Oh, I look premises I happened passing just now, and seeing light in here came in to investigate look into that room,' he added, lifting the sputtering candle desk

"'I'll see you devil first ! ' said I, bolting door street

"Sir, that Breathitt House, in Atlanta, is beastly place ! Don't you stop there "

"God forbid ! Your account of it certainly suggest comfort , Colonel, when did all that occur ? "

"In September, 1864--shortly siege "