New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-17
A NIGHT OF MISERY.
The Story Of London Song Writer

II was in London, cold, clustering win
ter's night in the year 1851. The win'
came in heavy gusts, rushing down tn
streets, and tearing round the houses as
in search of any opening by which to ente
and gain shelter from the falling snow. |
heat against the windows, rumbled in tn,
chimney, and even went SO far as to tea
off some OF the states on the roof in its mat
impetuosty. Now and then the sharp pat
ter of hailstones was heard, and IL few o
them rolled down the chimney, falling
splitting and spluttering, on the blazing
Goals beneath.
But the storm did not affect me person
ally, for | was comfortably seated opposite
a roaring fire in snug, cosy library. enjoy
ing cigar and a chat with my old friend
DIR. Fielding. The library-it was Field
ing's-was one Of the most perfect l ever
saw; the walls We're covered with books. eX
cepting over the chimney piece, and that
part was hidden by u handsome looking
glass. The furniture was all carved oak
and, oh. rare luxury every chair an easy
one. The deep red curtains were drawn
and hung in graceful folds from their golden
cornces. A huge moderator lamp shed a
mellow light over the table, which. at the
present moment. was entirely devoid of
books, they having given place to a box of
Havanas, q good sized dc cantcr of brandy,
sugar, lemons and all other ingredients for
good, old fashioned glass of punch.
Fielding was fine, clever fellow, who
had not only made gTat name in his pro-
tession, but good sized fortune, which he
had settled down to enjoy. BY settle
down" one must not imagine that my friend
had entirely retired; far from it. Perhaps
he never worked harder in his lite than at
the period | am now speaking about, only
he selected his own patents. Lord Tom
NOddy might write to him a hundred times.
offering as many guineas if he would but
come and look at pimple that had pre-
sumptuOusly dared to grow on his lordship's
face. but Fielding would not bulge an inch
On the other hand, if he heard ct any real
case Of sickness, he would hurry off to it,
although be knew he would never get
penny for his trouble.
Fielding's great delight was in literature:
he had dabblcd in it II little. and belonged
to all the literary clubs in London. He
would do anything for man of letters.
and no sooner did he hear that one was i'll
than he would call upon him as friend.
and, if desired, attend as doctor, but
would never take a fee. His best reward.
he declared. was to see his friend rein
stated in health. seated in his snug library
smoking cigar and chatting over literary
affairs
We had just lit our second cigars. retilled
our tumblers, drawn our chairs closer to
the fire and settled down in them with that
selfish feeling of satisfaction which every
one experiences at being warm and com
Portable on a cold, cherries night. when
we were startled by loud single knock at
the street door. Now. "a single knock at any
time is a most unpleasant thing. A gentle
one sounds mean and despicable you can
fancy the person who gave it starting back,
like Fear i'll Collins lode to the Passions
- Fen at the sound himself had made -
but bold, heavy "bang" that wakes up
the echoes all through the house. especially
if given about ten or eleven at night, is ter
rible, causing cold SILVER to pass through
Your body, as if something evil approached
you.
That's strange knock" said l.
Very replied Fielding. al wonder
who II can be-
We We're not long left in doubt, for the
servant entered the room aud announced
that IL boy wanted to SEQ DR.. Fielding.
What does he wantl Can't he send
message by you'''
Please, sir. he says he can't; he must see
you"
"Wcl!, show him up" said Fielding. And
the next moment u lad Of about twelve
wears entered the room.
He was a short. shambling lad, with a
fierce rough head of hair, large staring blue
eyes, and not too clean hands and face
both of which worked nervously. His
clothes were strong but common, and hung
loosely around his spare figure.
(Which Of you is the doctor7' asked the |
boy.
Il am replied Fielding. What do you
want, my ladF'
"Iiere is q note for you,' said the hoy, at
the same time handing over a carelcssly !
folded half sheet of paper. Please to
come quick: he is bad"
Fielding took the paper and read it, and |
then passed 1t to me 1t ran as follows:
DEAR FIELDING: I'm worse and worse; !
in fact, have only to be u little more so,
and shall be much better. In other
words, am about making my farewell
bow on the worlds great theatre. Come |
and sec the fall of the curtain. The per
.ormance is entirely for my benefit. Do
come, old fellow. Charon will show YOU the |
way. Yours. ARTHUR BURDON.r
ut is az feared SAID Fielding. "Of
course l must 90. Will you accompany
metz
As Burden was an old friend Of mine, at
once consented, and in few minutes we
we're in the street. following our youthful
guide.
Where does Burden live I" inquired.
This is more than l know" replied
Fielding. Although we have Deen on
friendly terms for 50 many years, he has
never told me his address. lie has all his
etters sent to his music publishers. |
hink he resides somewhere in Westlnil-
,ter."
And this boy Charon. as he calls him, is
,e hrs sonf'
THAT can't say. This is the first time
have either seen or heard of the Young |
gentleman"
Burden must have made money"
Undoubtedly. His songs are always
uccessful, added to which he is good man
# business, and retains a right in all he |
loes. Then, again, he is SO careful-almost |
100 careful-with his money. So ! think |
here can be little doubt about his being |
we'll Off"
DO you know his family ~
"No. l have questioned him good deal
ately on that point, for i could see he was
breaking up, but he would never answer. |
lie seems to have morbid fear of poverty
Our conversation was interrupted at this
,oint by or young guide stopping at
mall. dirty looking house. Drawing
whistle from his pocket, he blew ON it
rating over the area. These signals had
he desired effect Of bringing AN old with
red crone to tho street door, who was,
Without exception, the ugliest specimen OF
humanity | ever beheld. In one hand sha
pld il this, consumptive looking candle,
Which she shaded fr III the wind in snch a
banner as to throw its hight fully on her
wn hideons features She placed herself
, the doorway 80 that We could nut pass,
nd g!arcd at lis with her pale, tlmy eyes.
nd murmured and Inoaned III q terrible
lanner.
"Don't mind old Sycorax,' SAID the boy;
she won't hurt b cause she cant; she
ould if she could"
IA he spoke he showed the woman on one
dc and led the way up stairs into a small
,oln, the walls Of which were entirely coy J