Litchfield enquirer., 1850-10-17
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Mysteries Of Londen.


short cut, soon found himself in q maze
of squalid streets, leading one into the
other, and apparently leading nowhere
else. He inquired his way in vain. From
the first person he received coarse jest.
from another, a look of vacant stupidity
third eyed him in logged silence. He
stepped with one foot into several wretch>
ed little shops: but the people seemed
to know nothing beyond the next street
or alley. except one man, a dealer IN trlPe.
of a strange earthly color, who called
over his shoulder, oh you're miles out
of your wayp The only exception TO
the general indifference, rudeness and
stupidity, was a thin, checked
man, who had q fixed smile on his face,
and spoke in an abject, cringing tone of
obsequiousness, and even walked up oae
street and down q second to show Mr..
Brown the way. But It soon became
evident that he knew nothing about the
matter, and he skunk away with the same
fixed unmeaning smile.
In this state Of affairs Mr.. Brown but
toned up his coat. and manfully resolved
to work his way out Of this filthy locality
by walking straight forward.
Trudging onward at smart pace, the
worthy gentleman presently heard the
sound Of sobbing and crying. and behind
the boards Of shed at the side Of ruin
ed howell he saw girl Of some nine or
ten years Of age, ciasping and unclasping
her hands in paroxism Of grief and ap-
prehension. ooh. what shall / do?-l
what shall I do ?-sobbed the child.
She started with terror Is Mr.. Brown
and hid her head in the folds
Of her little apron; but on being assured
by the mild voice Of Mr.. Brown that be |
had no thought of hurting her she ven
tured to look up. She had soft blue
eyes, haxen hair of silvery gloesiness,
pretty features and notwithstanding the
stain of tears down cheek which had .
smear Of brick dust upon 1t, had most
innocent and progressing face.
what is the matter, my little girl 2
inquired Mr.. Brown.
The child turned one shoulder half |
round, and displayed the red and purple
marks Of blows from whip or stick.
What cruel wretch has done this ?
asked Mr.. Brown. Tell me, child tell
me directly
1T was mother sobbed the child.
'Ah-I'm sorry TO hear this. Per-
haps you have been naughty?'
Yes. SIR anrwered the child.
Poor child CALCULATED Mr.. Brown
: but you will not be naughty again.
What was your fault Come tell me ?
'Ishook it. sir: oh yes, it's quite true
/ did shake IL very much.
What did you shake 2 inquired MIR.
Brown.
i shook the doll, sir.
The doll! Oh, you mean you shook
the baby; that, certainly, was naughty |
Of you. said Mr.. Brown.
No, sir; it was not the baby shook |
it was the doll; and I'm afraid to 60 |
will be sure to beat me
again.
An impulse Of beneyolence led Mr..
Browns hand to search for his purse
Had he tried the wrong pockets? His
purse was on the other side. No it was
mott must be in his inner pocket.
Where is Mr.. Browns purse? It Is not
in any Of his pockets! He tries them
all over again. And his pocket book
chiefly Of memorandums, but also having
q few bank notes. This was gone too
and his silk handkerchief both his hand-
kerchiefs also bis silyer-gilt snuff box.
filed with rappee only Eve minutes be. |
fore he left the hotel this morning
is certain he had it before he came out
but il ) certainly gone Every single
thing he had in bis pocket d gone.
The child aleo-now she IS gone! Nj.
Brown looks around him. and yonder he !
sees the poor child flying with frequent
looks behind Of tcrror, and now shEiil |
and frightfuI voice causes him to start.
Turning il that direction. the sudden |
fight Of the little girl i immediately ex.
planned. Over the rubbish and ref
use ct q swift. Wild pace. courses . 6end.
ish woman With Q savage eye and open
mouth, her cheeks hollow. her teeth pro-
11ssing. her ttia hair flying ike ! BIT |
81 diseased mane over her halfnaked
she has stick in her hand.
with which she constantly threatens the |
flying child. whom her excavations follow |
yet more swiftly than her feet.
NF. BTowp remained watching them |
till they were out Of sight He once |
more searched al bis pockets. but they |
were III empty. He called % mind the
msn with The fxed smile on his hollow
cadayerous cheek. and several other faces
Of men whom be had casually noticed 10
she eouFss q the lass half koaF. thinking
what Pity 4 was that sonsthing eould
noE b done Cor them. he now began
70 lhink ihaE semsthiAg he'd net already
been danA Ibs them. e. wilh them. Tor
they had certainly sdone him some
Poor MF. GEoanl
Some SiK o. seven aonthe AFTER this
adventure, d channe& that