The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-04-05
Wy First AMID Last Night
ian London,

.
age of four months in the Northern At
lantic, hove in sight ofthe Sicily Islands
and, rs we were bound for Liverpool,
shaped our course up the channel, and
i'll Il few days were anchored in the
Downs. Having been short of provis.
ions for some timo back, we were
obliged to stop to rep!cnish. The
next day, however: VIC were towed up
the river, and entered the Commercial
Dock on the 2Slh of Octohcr, lS-.
1t wa. q grand sight for m,, .or had
never been i'll London, and tho city
seemed like the world in comparison
to my humble village in the west of
England. We were to be paid of Oh
the morrow, and determined as soon
rs was at liberty, to take stroll and
sec some ot the sights about which
had SO often heard. At twelve the
next day. all hands proceeded to the
office in Lcadrn Hall street, and re-
ccivcd scvcrally the amounts due them.
There was just ten pounds coming to
me, and started of to sec how |
could best make it conducive to my
pleasure. | had been stroIling round
for One time looking at the tower and
other places of note, and finally walked
into one OF the parks, to see what
could Of the London fashions. was
leaning against a tree, watching par
ty which attracted my attention, when
was accus,cd by Il female, apparent
Iy about eighteen or twenty, neatly
dressed, and with an expression which,
though pleasing, seemed somewhat sad.
''What is it you wish, my good la
dy g. sail |. S looked ut me mo-
mcnt and said:
You arc sailor, | suppose ~
"Nes."
How long have you been in Lon
don?"
" arrived yesterday"
Have you ever been here before 2"
'iNever."a t,.,,.s,s.s
Well, then perhaps can be Of
some assistance to you. Suppose we
take q cab and drive out to Vauxhall,
this evening""
hesitalcd for moment; for !
thought to myself she no doubt thinks
| have plenty ofmoney, and wishes to
obtain share. But then again
thought it makes no difference I'll
spend it anyhow, and consented.
She called 4 cab, and in short
time we were at Nauxhall. pulled
out my purse to pay the driver, when
she anticipated me and said:
g Never mind, Sir-I have ylcnty.-
Besides invited YOU here; therefore
| bear all expenses "
| was a,tonishc1; for | had never
doubted but that my money was the
principle attraction; and was puz
zlcd to think What could be her object.
Aiter ordering some refreshments,
of which she ate aud drank very little.
but which she insisted upon paying for,
we stro!cd round the garden list hing
to music, until towards evening, when
| remarked it wonld be best to return.
les, it will soon be dark, and we
had better 90. Bat" said she, "you
arc Stranger in London, and it would
be folly for YOU to look for a hotel to
n;ght-nnd. besides. it would be un
generous in me to allow you to.
reside i'll - street, and if you will
accept a room in ny house, you will
be perfectly welcome and my hus.
band, who is fond Of company, will be
glad 10 see you"
While hesi,ating Sic called u cab,
and half forced ne in.
When the cab stopped, we got out,
and found myself in Il narrow street.
diInly lighted, before large brick
house, with iron ratings in 'front.'
She opened the door. and asked me to
sit down Il moncut when she went
into room close by, and returned al.
most Immediately, and said -" My
husband has retired III introduce YOU
to him in the morning. Here is a light
take the room at Inc head Of the stairs
good nigh, !"
went up stairs to the room she
had pointed oDt, opened the DOR and
went in. 1t was furnished you might
say richly the bed stood in the fur
ther corner, with the blue damask
curtains in front addressed quickly,
rs | was somewhat tired by the days
adventures, walked to tho bed drew
aside the curtains, an! their lay man,
wcllcrcd in his blood, with his throat
cut from ear to ear 1t would be vain
to attempt to describe my feelings
Immediately dressed myself, with
presence of mind which have not
bcen able to account for. then
tried to open the door, which to my
horror, | found was locked. Glancing
around the room, my eyes fell upon
the irons III the fireplace 4 snatchrd
one up, and with one stroke, broke tho
loci and opened tho door. Running
down stairs, | found tho front door
locked also. Having nothing to break
the lock with, hrted into the first
room came to, and jumped from the
window into the alley on tho side of
the house, and had merely time to