The weekly ledger., 1857-04-18
My Last Night in London.

~
anchored in the Dowasa, having been short
of provisions for some time back, we were
obliged to stop and replenish. The next day,
however, we were towed up the river, and en-
tered the dock on the 2Sth of October 1t
was grand sight 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 England.
We were paid off on the morrow, and
determined as soon as | was at liberty to
take a stroll and see some of the sights about
which / had often heard.
AT twelve next day all hands proceeded to
the Office in Leaden Hall street, and receiv-
ed, severally the amount due them. There
was Just ten pounds coming to me, and
started to see how / could best make it con-
ducive to my pleasure.
had been stroling around for some time,
looking at the Tower and other places of
note, and finally walked into one of the parks,
was leaning against a tree watching party
which attracted my attention when | was
suddenly accosted by female, apparently
about eighteen or twenty, neatly dressed, and
with an expression which, although pleasing,
looked somewhat sad.
"What is it that you wish, my good lady? 2"
said l.
She looked at me a moment and said
"You are a sailor, | suppose~
"Yes."
"Hor long have you been in London"
"I arrived yesterday"
"Have you been here before 2"
"Never.v
"Well, then, perhaps I can be of some as
sistance to you suppose we take cab and
drive out to Vauxhal this evening""
| / hesitated for a moment, for | thought
to myself she no doubt thinks have plenty
of money, and wishes to obtain share
But then again, thought it makes no differ
ence III spend it anyhow and consented.
She called q cab and in a short time we
were in Vauxhal. / pulled out my purse to
pay the driver, when she said:
"Never mind, sir, have plenty besides
I invited you here, therefore ! bear all ex-
pense."
was astonished, for I had never doubted
but that my money was the principal attrac-
tion, and / was puzzled to think what could
be her object. After ordering refreshments,
of which she ate and drank very little, but
which she insisted on paying for, we strolled
around the garden listening to the music, un-
til towards evening, when | remarked it
would be best to return.
"Yes. it will soon be dark, and we had
better go but" said she, "you are strang-
or in London and it would be folly for you to
look for a hotel to-night-and it would be
ungenerous in me to allow you to- live in
-street and if you will accept room
in my house you will be perfectly welcome,
and my husband who is very fond of compa-
ny, will be glad to see you"
| While hestatng, she called q cab and half
forced me in When we got out, | found
myself in a narrow street dmly lighted, and
before large brick house, with iron railing
| in front She opened the door, and asked
me to sit down moment when she went in
to a little room close by and returned almost
Immediately, and said, Husband has retired; (;
I'll introduce you TO him in the morning
Here is light--take the room at the head
of the stairs. Good night"
| went up stairs to the room she had point
ed out, opened the door and went in. 1t
was furnished you might say richly. The
bed stood in the further corner, with blue
damask curtains in front. / undressed quick
| ly, as | was somewhat tired by my adventure,
walked to the bed and drew aside the cur
tains and there lay man weltering in his
blood with his throat cut from ear to car
| Immediately dressed myself, with pres
ence of mind which have never been able to
account for. / then tried the door, which to
my horror was locked. Glancing around the
room my eyes fell upon the irons in the fire
place. / snatched up one and with one
Stroke broke the lock and opened the door.
Running down the stairs found the front
doorfastened also. Having nothing to break
the lock with, | darted into the first room
came to. and jumped from the window into
the alley on the side Of the house and had
merely time to conceal myself, when heard
the people around crying murder, and saw
| the very woman | came with, followed by
several of the police, enter the house, think
ing, suppose, that she would find me-
| left as soon as the crowd gathered around
and passed unnoticed.
The next morning | was reading paper
and almost the first thing which attracted my
attention was notice Of bloody murder in
-street, with reward of fifty pounds
for the apprehension of the murderer. 1t
went further, and in the description OF the
supposed murderer, described me better than
could myself-even to the manner in which
| wore my beard The first barbershop re-
ceiyed that gratis and changing my clothing,
which was minutely described, went down
to the docks, and finding bark one hand
short | shipped in her for New York, and
have never since, nor never wish to spend
another night in London.