The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-01-20
MY FIRST AND LAST NIGHT IN
LONDON
PROM TIE JOURNAL OF z. HINT.

DuunQ LOT lLUHdOu, ebdP1u ou' 1ooi2o " W
channel, and in few days, were anchore
lin the Downs. Having been short Of pre-
visions for some time back, we we're ob'ige
to stop and replenish, The next day, no"
ever, we were towed up the river, and th'
Conmercial Dock on the 2Sth Of October
is. 1t was grand sight to me, for
mad never been 10 London, and the cit,
seemed like the world. in comparison 4
my humble village 10 The west of England
We were to be paid off on the morrow, an
determined, as soon as was at liberty
to take stroll and see some OF the sight
bout which l had so often heard. A
twelve the next day, all hands proceeded
to the Office in Leaden-ha'l street, and re
ceived. severaiIy the amount due them
There were JUS, ten pounds coming 10 me
| md started off to see how could bes
make it conducive 10 my pleasure. J ha'
been sfrolling round for some time, lookin!
II the Tower, and other places OF note
and finally walked into one OF The park
10 see aha, could Of the Londan fashions
was leaning against tree, Watching
psriy which attracted my attention, whan
| was snddeuv accosted by female, appa
rentiY about eighteen or twenty, neatly
dressed. aud with an expression. which, al
though pleasing, seemed somewhat sad. :.
"What is il you wish my good lady! |!
sid /.
| She looked at me moment and said
"You are sailor, suppose!'
| "Yes."
slow long have you been in London?"
81 arrived yesterday"
"uase yon ever been here beiore!'
sNeyer."
"Well. then, perhaps | can be Of some as
,stance to YOU. Suppose we take car
nd drive out to yansha!l this evening"
besi,ated for moment, for, thought
10 myseIi. she TO doub, thinks have pIen
| IL Of money, and wishes to obtain snare
Bnl then again, thought IT makes no d'i
ference IN spend it any how-and con
,enled.
She called the cab; aud, in short time
we we're a, Vauxhail. pulled out my
purse TO pay the driver, when she anllc'pa
led the, and said
..Never mind, sir-l have plenty. BE
sides, invited you here; therefore bea'
all expenses"
was sstonished, for had never doubt
ed but ,ha, my money was the pflnc'pa
ATTRACTION, and was puzzled to think VIVA
could be her object.
1 After ordering some refreshments,
Il
which she insisted upon paying tor, v
strolled round the garden, listening to 10
music, until towards evening, when re
marked il would be best to return.
"Yes, il will soon he bark, and we ha
better 90. Blt,' said she, ''you are
stranger in London, and it would be ioll
ior ou to lock for a hotel tonight; and be
sides, il would be ungenerous in me TO ALLOW
su to. reside in street, ana II so'
will accept room IN my house, you WI
be perfect, welcome, aud my husband
who is fond OF company, will be G lad to SCI
YOU"
While hesita,ing, she called cab, ant
half forced me in.
When the cab stopped we 60, out, and
found m, selfin narrow street, dltnly i'gn'
led, and before large brick house, VII
iron ratings in front. She opened IN
door, and asked me to sit down a moment
when she went into room close by am
returned almost immediately, and said
INV husband has reiired-i'H Introduce
Won to hin IN the morning. Here Is a lighl
| r,ke The room al the head OF the stars
Good night"
| went up stairs TO the room she hat
pninted nu,, opened The door aud went IN
| II was furnished, you may say, rlchit
| rhe bed stood in the further corner, WIN
lbIue dam SIX curtains in front. lundresset
nl,ckIy. as Iwas somewhat tired by my
lja,'s adventures, walked 10 the bed, anc
drew aside The curtains, aud there lay
man. weheriug ia his blood. with his thrpa'
,n, from ear toear. 1t would be vain tt
4tle,npt TO describe my feelings, imme
dis,eIy dressed m, self, with a presence o
mind which have never been able to &C
count for lthen tried to open the door
which. TO nv horror, found was locked
Gancing around the room, my eye LEI
upon the irons in the fire place. lsnatch
ed one up, and, with one stroke broke ~
lack ana opened the door. Ronnlng dowt
he stairs, found The front door fastened
also. Having nothing to break the loci
with. | daried into the first room came TO
and Jumped from the window into an alley
and hid merely time 10 conceai ny sell
when heard the people round crying mur
der. nd saw the very woman that came
with. followed bv several Of the police, en-
ter the house, thinking, supp Sc. Of coars'
she would find me. left, as soon rs th'
crowd gathered round. and passed out un
noticed.
The next morning was reading the pa
lper, and almost the first thing which attract
ed nv attention was notice OF blood'
murder in - street, with the reward o
fifty pounds for the apprehension OF tn
murderer II went further, aud, in th'
description oflhe supposed person, descrlb
ed me better than could have done my
seIf-even to the manner in which wor'
nv beard. The first barber shop receives
that gratis; and changing nv clothing
which was also minuteIy described, wen
down to the docks, aud the bark be
ing hand short, shippee in her for New
York, and have never since, nor ever wlSf