Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
January 4, 1819
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a New York hotel, a gentleman reading Othello late at night hears noises and discovers a gigantic black man hiding under his bed for robbery. He seizes the intruder, who was recently released from prison, and with help from another guest, has him arrested by the watch.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LOOK UNDER YOUR BEDS.
A few evenings ago, a gentleman, lodging at one of the principal hotels in this city, went late to bed and amused himself with reading Othello: At the period when he was most interested with the bed chamber scene, between Othello and Desdemona, a smothered sigh, or something like broken respiration, met his ear—he laid down the book to listen, imagining that the sound came from the adjoining chamber—when hearing it repeated louder and nearer, he left his bed cautiously, and raising the clothes looked underneath, when he discovered a man, who, on being dragged from his retreat, proved to be a gigantic black, who had concealed himself there for the purpose of robbery or something worse. Here was Othello personified. Whether the scene, which the gentleman had just been reading, had created an alarming effect for the issue, we know not; looking round the chamber, and finding no sword, he seized the black with a furious grip, and dragged him from his retreat. Another gentleman, just entering with a candle to retire, assisted to transfer the negro into the hands of the watch; and he is now confined. It appears that he had been released only a few days from the state prison. Lodgers in large hotels would do well to ascertain before they get into bed, that no one lurks beneath it.
[N. York Nat. Advocate.
A few evenings ago, a gentleman, lodging at one of the principal hotels in this city, went late to bed and amused himself with reading Othello: At the period when he was most interested with the bed chamber scene, between Othello and Desdemona, a smothered sigh, or something like broken respiration, met his ear—he laid down the book to listen, imagining that the sound came from the adjoining chamber—when hearing it repeated louder and nearer, he left his bed cautiously, and raising the clothes looked underneath, when he discovered a man, who, on being dragged from his retreat, proved to be a gigantic black, who had concealed himself there for the purpose of robbery or something worse. Here was Othello personified. Whether the scene, which the gentleman had just been reading, had created an alarming effect for the issue, we know not; looking round the chamber, and finding no sword, he seized the black with a furious grip, and dragged him from his retreat. Another gentleman, just entering with a candle to retire, assisted to transfer the negro into the hands of the watch; and he is now confined. It appears that he had been released only a few days from the state prison. Lodgers in large hotels would do well to ascertain before they get into bed, that no one lurks beneath it.
[N. York Nat. Advocate.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Curiosity
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Crime Punishment
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Hotel Intruder
Under Bed Hiding
Robbery Attempt
Othello Scene
Arrested Thief
New York Hotel
What entities or persons were involved?
Gentleman Lodger
Gigantic Black
Another Gentleman
Where did it happen?
Principal Hotel In New York City
Story Details
Key Persons
Gentleman Lodger
Gigantic Black
Another Gentleman
Location
Principal Hotel In New York City
Event Date
A Few Evenings Ago
Story Details
Gentleman reading Othello in hotel hears noise, finds black man hiding under bed for robbery, seizes him bare-handed, assisted by another to deliver to watch; intruder recently from prison.