Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-11-03


the proctor nor the police, but with due re-
gard to their education and morals, we don't
despair
by no MEANS said Power; 'but come,
let us resume our game
The whist was resumed the boxers re-
turned to their gloves. Mr.. Moore lookup
his violin, Mr.. Weber his french horn,
and | was left the only unemployed man in
the company.
Among tho many peculiar tastes which
distinguished Mr.. Francis Weber, was
an extraordinary fancy for street-begging;
he had over and over, won large sums up
on his success in that difficult walk; and
50 perfect were his DISCUSSES, both ofdress,
voice and manner, that he actually at one
time, succeeded in obtaining charity from
his very opponent in the wager. He
wrote ballads with the greatest facility and
sung them with infinite pathos and humor;
and the old woman at the corner of Col
lege-g green was certain of an audience when
the severity Of the night would leave all
other minstrclsy deserted. AS these feats
of jongIerie usually terminated in a row, it
was most amusing part Of the transac-
ton to see the singers part taken by the
mob against the college men, who, grow
ing impatient to carry him off to supper
some whore, would invariably be obliged
to fight for the booty.
Now it CHANGED that a few evenings be-
fore, Mr.. Webber was returning with
pocket we'll lined with copper, from mu-
steal reunion he had held at the corner of
1ork-strect, when the idea struck him to
stop at the end Of Grafton-street where a
huge stone grating at that time exhibited,
perhaps it exhibits still, the descent to one
of the great main-sewcrs Of the city.
The light was shining brightly from one
Of the pastry cook shops, and showed the
large bars of stone, between which the
muddy water was rushing rapidly down,
and FLASHING in the torrent that ran bois-
terousIy several feet beneath.
To stop IN the street Of any crowded CT
ty is, under any circumstances, an invita-
ton to others TO do likewise, which is rare
ly unacccpted; but when in addition to this,
you stand fXcdly in one spot, and regard
with stern intensity any object near you,
the chances are ten to one that you have
several companions in your curiosity be-
fore a minute expires.
Now, Webbor, who had at first stood
still, without any peculiar thought in view,
no sooner perceived that he was Joined by
others than the idea Of making something
out of it Immediately occurred to him.
What is it, agra? inquired an old wo-
man, very much in his own style Of dress,
pulling at the hood Of his cloak.
And can't you see for yourself, dar-
linz replied he sharply, as he kneIt down,
and looked most intensely at the sewer.
Are we long there, avick?' inquired he
of an imaginary individual below, and then
waiting as if for reply, said Two hoursn
Blessed virgin! he's two hours in the
drain!'
BY this time the crowd had reached en-
tirely across the street, and the crushing
and squeezing to get near the important
| spot was awful.
'Whcre did he come from? who is he?
how did he get there?' were the questions
or every side, and various surmises were
ahoat, ill Webbor, rising from his knees.
said, in a mysterious whisper, to those
nearest him, He's made his escape to-
night out o Newgate by the big drain, and
lost his way, he was looking forthe Lf1ey,
and took the wrong turn
To an Irish mob, what appeal could equal
this! culprit at any time, has his claim
upon their sympathy, but let him be caught
in the very act Of cheating the authorities
md evading the law, and his popularity
knows no bounds. Weber knew this well
and as the mob thickencd around him, sus-
tanned an imaginary conversation that Sa-
wage Landor might have envicd, impart-
| ing now and then such hints concerning
! the runaway as raised their interests TO
the highest pitch, and fifty different ver-
sions were related on all sides-of the
crime he was guilty-the sentence passed
! on him-and the day he was to suffer.
DO you see the light, DEAR said Web
| Der, as some ingeniously benevolent indi-
vidual had lowered down candle with a
string; do We sec the light; OH he's faint
ed, the creature a cry of horror burst
forth at these words, followed by an uni
versal shout of break open the street.
Pick-aXes, shovels, spades, and crow
! bars, seemed absolutely the walking accom-
| paniments of the crowd, so suddenly did
! they appear upon the field of action, and
| the work of eXbumation was begun with a
vigor that speedily covered nearly half Of
the street with mud and paving stones;
parties relieved each other at the task, and
ere half an hour, hole capable of contain
| ing mail coach, was yawning in one Of
the most 'requented thoroughfares Of Dub
lin Meanwhile, as no appearance of the
culprt could be had, dreadful conjectures
as to his fate began to gain ground. BY
this time the authorities had received init