Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-17
MISCELLANY.
Leaf from the Journal Of E.IIunt.
NJ FIRST AND LAST NIGHT IN LONDON.

i Il !
II was .,he fall OF l6--. tina, the ship
- which | belonged. after voy age of
four months in the Northern Atlantic,
hove in sight Of the Sicily lslands, and.
- We were bound for London, shaped
eur course up the channel, and in a few
days were anchored in the Downs. Hav-
Ing been short Of provisions for some
time back, we were obliged to stop and
sepienlsh. The mex, day. however, we
were towed up the river. and entered the
Commercial Dock on the 28sh of Oct.
i6--. twas grand sigh, TO me. for ]
had never been in London, and the city
seemed like the world in comparison to
my humble village in the west of Eng
land. We were TO be paid of on the
morrow; and determined as soon as
vas at liberty, 10 take stroll and see
some of the sights about which l had SO
efien heard. At twelve the next day,
al proceeded 10 the Office in Leaden-
Hall street, and received, severslly, the
amount, due them. There was justel0
coming 10 me, and l started off TO see
how Ilcould best make ], conduce TO my
pleasure. I had been ssroll,ng around
for some time, looking at the Tower.and
ssher places Of note. and finally walked
Into one Of the Parks. 10 see what l
sould Of London fashions. was lean
Ing against tree. watching party which
attracted my attention, when was sud-
denly sccosted by female. apparently
abou, eighteen or twenty, neatly dressed,
and with an expression which. though
pleasing. seemed somewhat sad.
What is your wish, my good iady,"
ssid I. She looked o. me . moment,
and said
-You ass ssiio,. Issppossi"
.Yes."
sHew iens have ysu been in Lsndsni'
y arrived here yesterday"
Shave you been hsrs bsforsi''
sNsves."
'.Weli. ahen perhaps ! can Be Of as
sisssnce 70 you. Suppose we take cab
and drive out 10 vauxhall this EVENING""
lhesi,a,ed for moment; for thought.
- myself, she NO doubs thinks | have
plenty Of money. and wishes to obtain .
share. Blu, then again I thought. il.
makes no difference; I'll spend il any
how. and consented.
She called cab, and in short time
vs were at Vauxhall. Ipulled out my
purse 10 pay the driver. when she an.
sieipa,ed me. and said:
"Neves mind, cir. I have plenty
Besides. invited you here; therefors !
pay all ex penses.
was asionished; for I never doubted
but that my money was the principal at
traction; and was puzzled to think what
vas her object.
After ordering some refreshments Of
which she ate and drank very little, but
which she insisted on paying for. we
ssrolled around the garden. listening TO
she music. until towards evening. when
] remarked il would be bes. to return.
"Yes. il will soon be dark. and we had
better CO." "Bus." said she. '.you are
Stranger in London. and il would be
folly for you to look for hotel tonight.
and besides. il would be ungenerous for
ne 10 allow you 10 do so. ! reside in
- street. and if you will accept a
room in my house. you will be perfectly
welcome; and my husband. who il very
fond Of company. viii Be glad 10 see
yeu."
While hssitasing. she called cab. and
half forced me in.
When the cab stopped, We gosous. and
I found myself in narrow street. dimly
lighted. before large brick house. with
iron railings in front. She opened the
door. and asked me 10 Sit down mo-
nent when she went into q room close
by. and returned almost Immediately.
and said: my husband has retired. I'll
introduce you 10 him in the morning
Here is llghs-iaks The room At the
hssd Of The ssairs--good night"
Iwent up stairs 10 the room she had
ysinsed out. opened the door and went
u. !, was furnished. you might say.
richly: the bed stood in the further cor.
Ger, with blue dsmask curtains in she
front. l undressed myself quickly. as !
vas somewhat tired BY my days adsen.
lures. walked 10 The bed and drew aside
The curtains. and there lay Q man weller.
ino in his blood. with his throat cut from