Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-13


AUTHOR OF 'LADT CLAUDINE; OR, THE DOUBLE
NARRIAGEj' &c, &c, &c.
cHAPTERL
London A cold, stormy night at the close of
December. A dense fog envelOped the city and
the river. There was no moon, and the long
ranges Of lamps in the streets scarcely radiated
light thirty feet around their centers. Car
riages, wagons, omnibusses, vehicles of all Sorts
moved slowly and cautiously for the fog min
gled with the night, added to which were the
wild winds that found their way into the cre-
vices between the glass and the frame-wo of
the lanterns. and hared them almost out, made
the streets of London as dark the streets Of
karnac and Luxor of ancient Egypt.
This was the night upon which our story
opens. At interyals-an unusual sight at this
season Of the year-a dull glare of lightning
from what quarter of the heavens no man could
tell. as the murky gloom was all around and
over head. cleaned through this black fog and
she'd fearful, and, rs it were. deeper gloom
over the city. No one walked the streets who
could remain within; and the carriages and
vehicles, unable to be guided by their drivers
through the thrOnged thoroughfares, sought, by
narrow side streets ard lanes, and unused
alleys, 10 escape from the great channels of
travel; for all over London every few squares
were entangled, amid great uproar noise and
confusion, inextricsble knots of ofhorsemen, hack
ney-cOaches. cabriOlets. carts. drays and wag-
Ons, causing as great and fearful scenes of con-
hict and struggling of masses against masses, as
if the city were taken by storm, and the citi-
were resisting, at every point, the progress
of their dreadful foe.
1t was a night long to be remembered in Lon
don, not only for its supernatural darkness, but
for the number of those who perished in these
cimmerian battles for right of way. Not less
than thirty dead corpses were taken from be-
meath wagon wheels that night of horrors, and
conveyed to the " morgus'' Of the police.
TX the strange darkness had not kept the
people housed. the terrible storm of wind and
rain that swept through the streets especially
along those near the Thames, would have de-
termined every one who could continue under
shelter to keep in doors. By ten o'clock two
hours after night, the streets were therefore
nearly deserted, and only the pillowless the
rooaess, the guilty, the robber, and the police
men were abroad.
A black night, this, said one of the police
men to his fellow of the beat, as they met at the
corner of the Strand and a dark alley that
opened into it. I'd
- black night you may well call it, Lon
non looks as if the sky had fallen down and
covered us all up. 1t will go hard ON the river
with 'em ~
Yes-what with the fog and the pitch dark
ness, the craft Will be sinking one another by
the score
At this moment man, passing swiftly, struck
heavily with his left shoulder against the speaker
Beg PARDON he said. in the tone of gen.
ueman - but could not see you ~
man that can see should move a bit more
careful, or he'll break his own head and other
peoples shoulders" growled the policeman.
The stranger, who was muff1ed in a cloak. and
with his hat slOuehed as if to defy both the
storm and scrutiny, passed on, and disappeared
IN the imPenetrable gloom ere he had got ten
feet from them.
"A lord, that" said the policeman Bat
then he might walk slower
Do you know him ''' inquired his compan-
ion, listening as il he heard some distant sound
that demanded his official attention.
Il know only it's an earl they call Lord In
glis."
- The great sporting nobleman, I've heard
o. him. " hat uproar now yonder? There is
another lock Of wheels, and cursing and swear
ing, and whipping, London is run clean stark
mad tonight! We must go and help this mat
ter >"
please, sir, a ha' penny to buy bread ~ said
o faint, childish voice, and a small, thin hand
was thrust out towards the policeman as he
turned to 60 in the direction Of the noise which
filled all the street.
"Br, I'd . It's always bread Begoue, YOU
brat Of beggar, or l will lodge you at the sta
ton, was the sharp answer which the ragged
little girl received
No sooner did she receive this reply and per-
ceive, by the CLEAN of lamp just over their
heads, thathe was policeman. than she uttered
an exclamation Of fear, and fed swiftly forward
as If to escape from the arrest she feared, while
the two mel fastened to grOpe their way to the
scene OF the uprOar at the corner Of the next
street
The little girl ran forward in her fright not
knowing whittier she went, until she rushed
against n tall man in a cloak who was going
the same way she was flying, and. to prevent
herself from falling, she caught his coat. He
turned and seized her by the arm, saying
quickly
- Are yOu a pick pocket hey 1n
:. Ii Is so dark, sir, couldn't see. Please
TO forgive me -
lie seemed struck by the soft and musical
voice Of the child, and said
. Come forward to this gas light. Al. see
on are young and pale, and lovely as
wretched You do nor look like apickpOcket,'
''Indeed I am not, sir.''
Why did you run and put your hand in my
pocket
a 1 did not mean it, sir could not see
and-I should have fallen down. / only tried
to hold myself up
Why did you run 40 fast when il is so dan
gerous ~ move in the fog 20 he asked still hold
ing her by the arm, and looking steadily into
her face, for its singular beauty, with all its abb
sence Of color amazed him. inasmueh her
dress was ragged, her head bare, her hair wet
with rain. and blowing wildly in the wind, and
her small white feet shOeess.
= was afraid of the two policemen. sir
'Innocenee never runs from policemen,
child
6. 1 asked one Of them for a ha penny. sir, and
he spoke grufiy, and frightened me, and said
he would lock me mp il begged and 50 / ran
away as fast as | could -
:" passed these two men. And why do you
beg such nj ght As this. and ask for ha pennies
nv child 2;' he asked kindly.
Please. sir, dare not tell >"
"Dare not Come out of the storm undGr
this arch, and tell me-
70 abr II afr 70
tell, and please sir, let me 60 -
Why do you not ask ms for a ha' penny be-
fore you go''
Because. sir-I-Id rather not, I'm
ashamed to ask a gentleman.
60 Surely, you not poor woman child,
with such a face and such Language"
q dare not tell, sir, They would keep me