Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-27
LONDON BRIDGE AT NIGHT.

hNNlpN hhADSA NJ NANNl
Mr.. james Greenwood, whose "Night in
a Workhouse" contributed to the Pal Mall
Guzsfe, created a good deal of excitement
some time ago, furnished to the London
Ereuing Sta. an account Of a visit which he
was induced to pay to another kind Of
lodging resort Of the lowest classes Of
LondOn-the reces5es on theparapct Of Lon
don bridge lie was told that men and
women regularly slept there, and he went
10 test the truth Of the statement He says:
came on the bridge from the city side, and
Just as the churches were Ginning o'clock.
1 approached the first recess. II was empty
ave for pool Of rain water, in which the
rays from the gas lamps above twinkled.
With much satisfaction ] struck a cigar
light on the dry underpart Of the granite
seat, and once more set my face towards
Southwark, more as a punishment for my
foolishness in putting faith in Mr.. Police
man than that ] expected TO make any dis
cuyery. But, alas in recess number two it
was my ill-fortune 10 stumble on a cause Of
guaking for my wager, had ] made il, for
here, CrOuched in a corner, nose and
hlltNHf anu v ikiA H'IllAt AdB 'l Il hal u 'Rl'A
palled over her head, 80 that she looked
more like nasty bundle than anything
human, was a woman. She was on the
seat; and curled mp on the stone floor was
man, as could be judged by an old boot Of
iull-size, with a rent in the side, and a row
Of adult and dirty toes that prolruded from
beneath him aud was shone on by the gas.
Otherwise il would have been difficult to
have told what creature it was, its head
being hidden in the wOman's lap, and the
dark shawl or cape, or whatever it WAS
dropping over aud covering him. Sixpence
would procure the unlucky pair the luxury
Of shelter and something Of bed TO lie on;
besides il were we'll worth that small sum
90 see what sort Of a creature the female
WAS, young or old, and 20 ascertain the rela-
tionship existing between herself and the
male creature huddling up TO her. |
Touched the female with my umbrella where
] guessed her shoulder was, and in
stantly she disengaged her head from the
shawl, and by the same movement expos
ed the face Of the man. The woman's was an
old face-wrinkled, and monkeyish; while
the face Of the man was almost youthful,
but dirty and villainous looking, and sur
AAAhAAAAi'A ~ a Aa'R vi lNAl iAlls
You'll catch your death Of cold lying ont
here in the rain ] said. "Why don You
find some shelter"
you be-~ grumbled the young man,
with threatning scowl, as he replaced the
wet shawl over his head. 81 Thought il was
the perlice agin.'
But the old woman was made of other
stuff. Nudging the hulking rutlian 10 hold
his tongue, she said in whining tone,
And how'd we help layin out here, kind
gentleman, wild never a half penny TO pay
ludgin, and me gran son Just ont Cf the
faver, and me siyenty-tre aud pasht, God
help me"
and where are you going after you
have rested-in the morning / mean?'
"Hoppin', surel We've friends to meet at
the station soon a. its daylight, please God
there's a bit o life lift in as come the time,
an me siventy tire and pasht, God help me,
an me gran son SO 1 gave her the
siKpence, and enioined her TO get over into
the borough and procure bed as soon as
she could; and she promised that she would,
showering more blessings on me than the
siKpence would pay for even at the low
rate Of farthing each. But she didn't
move. | crossed the dark road to see ifthe
reCesses on the other side were tenanted
and looking back saw by the light Of the
lamps the old face and the young face grin
ming with delight; and presently two short
pipes were produced and loaded and fired
and still, with his head reclining on his
grandmother's lap, the surly young fellow
composed himself Cor comfortable smoke
on the strength, ] suppose, of that unexpec-
ted six penny windiall.
In the next recess ! discovered two men
occupying opposite corners of the seat
They were not ragged, though they were
roughly attired, and each had n sack over
his shoulder; aud they sat with their backs
10 the stone side and their arms folded, and
their caps pulled well over their ears,
evidently resolved 30 weather it'll morn
ing | thought they were both asleep, but
as halted one Of them raised his head and
Civilly asked if had such thing As a pipe
Of 'hacca" on me. II so happened that had
two pipes indeed, a fact that very much
gratifed the man in the other corner. who
reused Rt hearing his mates voice.
Il should have thought that YOU might
have found snugger quarters than these for
lodging" | remarked
Well Won, see, mister, ats handy Tor
Billings-get.
Likewise for the woris - added his mate.
But why not sleep in a bed Beds are
cheap enough hereabouL"
Won't run 70 IL, mister Come 10 pick
up no more'n bob in the day; YOU ain I
got much change left after you've bought q
biz o grub and a bit Of bacca, Sides, Ia
sooner sleep here than in them dirty three
penny cribs-wouldnt Won Whistler
"Thrupenny bugs walks, ! all'em,
responded Whistler. ia sooner lay down
on the shore"
Well its enough 60 Kill YOU living
here"
Not IL; We sort Of chaps take a deal Of
KILN don't We Whistler
Use is everything, the person addressed
sentenuously replied: u ain.tslept in a bed
these two ear, aud what's more / don't
banker arter a." And so W ith a BIZ more
bacca and a goodnight ! left them.
The next recess was vacant In the next
was Young man, deCently dressed, as far
as the uncertain light revealed. in a suit Of
black, his hat buttoncd light uuderhis chin
Ills face was remarkably pale but other
wise, had IL been DAYTIME. nothing extra
ordinary would have been noticed in him
a. he sat on the stone step nursing one of
his feet and nervously graspiug the instep
ot Il with one hand while The other sup
ported his head. lie looked like person
suddenly oyertaken hy Illness of a sort iust
nov prevailing
Il beg pardon SIR said !, "but you
appear unwell'
, Heslarted and looked upwith an offended
air; 'lm well enough, thanky," he said
its 40 affair Of yours ] imagine, il / am
u0t'
II IL every mans affair TO offer the best
help he can 10 another who seems in need
OF H. We shant quarrel ahout that |
presume
shsnt We who says we shan't? Why DO
YOU pick me ont 70 practice on with your
internal Methodist can't Pfaps you'd like