Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1918 — MAN SLEEPS WHILE HIS BEDDING BURNS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MAN SLEEPS WHILE HIS BEDDING BURNS

Occupant of Next Room Finds Him Stretched Out Like Brunhiida. Newton, N. J.—He slumbered deeply and loudly in his room at the Waldmere hotel. After a little a cigarette butt that he had dropped ignited the mattress. He to sleep, while little flames ran along its edge and the room filled with smoke. The man in the next room began to choke and traced the fire to the door of the slumberer. He entered to find the mattress afire, with its occupant

stretched calm and still like Brunhiida on her pyre—only Brunhiida did not snore. The Intruder picked up the pitcher and emptied its contents on the modern Rip Van Winkle, who stirred, muttered drowsily, and slept again. The fire was out, to all appearances, and the rescuer left, pursued by the snores of the rescued. Five hours later the man in the next room appealed to the management. “He’s afire again,” he complained, “and I can’t wake him up.” It took two strong men to rouse him sufficiently for him to slide off the burning mattress.

Entered to Find the Mattress Afire.