The Seven Poor Travellers

In a quiet Christmas‑eve in the historic city of Rochester, a wandering narrator stumbles upon a weather‑worn doorway bearing a centuries‑old inscription. The plaque promises lodging, a modest fire, and a small allowance for six “poor travellers” founded by the charitable Richard Watts. Intrigued, he decides to claim a seventh place for himself and steps inside the humble, gabled house that has sheltered strangers for generations.

The interior is a snug chamber lit by a crackling hearth, its low latticed windows framing the silent high street. A matronly caretaker greets him, explaining the simple rules and the meager provisions that each guest may purchase with fourpence. As the narrator settles into the warm ambience, the story gently unfolds the quirks of this timeless refuge and the quiet camaraderie it fosters among its transient occupants.