Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-30
Nj | S C Il LII A N Y
TEE DRUNKARD's WIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF AFFECTION.

On the night of November 20, 1874. London
was enveloped in one of lis densest foos In the
City 1t seemed like exhalaton of mud towards
the Parks it became a degree whittier; and in the
envlrons OF the metropolis, it rested upon the earth
with iieecy appearance, only waiting the morn
ings rays TO be dspelled. In the extreme Heart of
the CIty, however, ii appeared as though the warm
est snnbeams would fail to exercise the slightest in
fiuence upon it. Llnk-boys and pick pockets were.
perhaps, the only individuals who derived any ben
eft from the opaque VEIL and sufficient handker-
chiefs changed hands that night, to have made the
| fortune OF Bandana merchant, could he have col
| lected them for his own benefit. The links burned
with dull halo around them as the bearers walk
ing by the horses heads cracked their Jokes on the
occasion, taking advantage of an opportunity when
they could have II all their way. Every now
and then general stoppage took place, owing to an
omnibus nearly entering shop window, or from
some vocerous passenger finding by certain signs.
dim, yet sufficient, that he was at Charm Cross in
stead OF the CANCEL" at Islington. London in 4
fog is certainly strange sight The noise, the con-
| fusion, the hailooing of coachmen, the screams of
passers- by, just escaping erratic pole the fall
ing OF horses the phantom like forms of the people
gas lights burning as if they encased in ground
glass, and the lurid gmmer of torches all unile TO
form scene at once imposing, yet ludcrous-a
matter Tor laughter, yet alarm. The effects too
are strange. 1t brings crime from its most secret
v.
parts character TO London, in the estimation Of
foreigners, for being always in fog. London, they
say, is like a beautiful woman. with her veil ever
down. IL gives temporary employment 10 many a
poor wretch, who else would be that NIGHT snpper-
less and bedless and il gives almost every body
cold. On this particular occasion it came forth in
all lis bes! powers of obscuraIion weiphinp down
the smoke TO such degree, that people inhaled
what they had seen go up their own chimneys,-
The opinion of the Thames upon the subject it is
impossible to know, for whether he added TO it, or
grumbled at 1T, or lessened it, or scoded it, as a
near neghbor, our chronicle mentions not; but sui-
cient TO say, he was as efectuay concealed by its
heavy embrace, as was the Strand, Feetstreet and
the giant st. Paul's himself On the NIGHT when
our narrative commences, man was standing close
by the waters edge AT that part of Waterloo bridge,
where flight of steps, close to the toll bar.
| leads below. On the side of the bridge, but
farther on is the pier where steamboats, ply in the
day, and whose chains and pulleys are heard proan
Ing and grumbliDg the rising and falling of the
tide during the night A man was stationed there
also, and every now and them low whistle from
one, responded to by the other, proved that what
ever their motive might be in occupying so desert
ed place on such night, they were acting in CON
cert. The two figures were so wrapped M that
20 feature could be distinguished, The more perhape
10 keep out the damp air, than for anv motive Of
Disguise; and they walked to and fro with the oucl
ShoTI slep oil men VINO wished TO keep their blood
circulating. somewhat louder signal than before
produced reply which occasioneG one of tho flo
ures 10 leave his post and join his companion which
he accomplished by ascending the steps and cross
ing over the road. The following dialogue ensued :
"ll's no good you stopping there. If we should
| hear splash we can swim to the spot fast enough
| from where we are" "Not on such a picbi &c
thls-and if Pm caught on your grounds shall be
turned of. This certainly isn't the pleasantest
place in the world, particularly on Roggy NIGHT
but we're well paid, so had better stick 10 business
| ono chance of work, now, fancy. But. hush
! What was that? This exclamation was occasion
ed by slight noise at the top of the steps at the
! sound Of which, both men concealed themselves DO
/ hind butress ard remained perfectly still. The
! alarm was evidently caused by some one slowly
descending the steps, with that sort of lingeripo
tread, expressive either Of indecision or fear The
latter was clearly the cause, for female FIGURE
steathIly drew near the water, pahsinr every in
slant, the sound Of the mems voices had startled
| her, though uncertain whence it had proceed
ed. "T'hey cannot be here ;" she murmured ..no
| one will step between me and death to- nipbt.n 4
cold shiver ran through her frame as she uttered
this, in tones Of the deepest despair 'T PRAYED 10
God and he did not listen to me, and now am too
guilty to think of Him. will die NV poor child
-" and she drew sleeping infant closer 10 her