New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-27

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MY American friend nudged me and
raised his eyebrows.
You'll excuse me, stranger he said,
"but if l was in your place l would take
care of those notes, and no. keep 'em in q
breast pocket, nor yet fash 'en about
"Oh,' said the swell, II always carry
them So"
Then, maybe you don't live in London.
sirm
"Oh. by Jove, no. The fact is, my uncle
has lately died and left me a fine property
down in Essex, and till the lawyers have
settled up. came to have futter in
town"
Then you'll excuse me once again, but if
! was in Your place l wouldn't futter nay
notee," and the American appealed to me
for Justification. 'YOu see you never know
what company you may be in"
thought knew what company was in,
but didn't say so.
'Ah for that matter" said the swell, II
. gentleman"
That's correct. But how do you tell a
gentleman from q coon!'
"Well, think q mans q gentleman
aw-if he's got money in his pocket
"Happen you're right. But heow much
money must man have in his pocket to
prove him gentleman y
Nothing less than five pund," said the
swell.
"Wal. I dunno, but for nv part
shouldn't like yeu to think yeu were talkin
with any one but gentleman, as far as I'm
concerned" and my American friend pro-
puced his purse.
Jaw" said the swell, before he opened it,
ebay Jove, III bet you . new hat you
haven't got five punds in your purse"
And on exhibiting his purse he showed
nearly thirty sovereigns, as well as could
judge.
saw, then I've lost, and owe you hat
Aw. here is my card
He handed it to u both. Frederick
Church, Esq.
Twas impressed with the notion that the
faces of both these men were somehow
familiar to me.
The American nudged me again, and be-
slowed upon me an encour aging wink.
Reckon now you won't bet my friend
here lie hasn't got five eovereigns about
him.
He nudged me again.
"Ya'as, will,' said Mr.. Church. Ian
guidly. Il often do it for lark. ! am
generally about right twice out Of three
times"
said that did not bet
Jaw, well, some people don't. I wouldn't
pursuade anybody, ! am sure. Sure to lose
in the long run By Jove know l do.
But just for the fun Of the thing, don't
mind standing a new hat if you've got five
pound about you. Your friend shall be
witness. It's all right. You know, among
gentlemen"
produced my puyse 1t contained about
seven pounds in gold and silver. l also had
about me a gold watch and chain, ring or
two, and shirt pin. l observed just the
faintest sign Of an interchange OF intelli-
geIce between my companions.
"Ah, lost again." Mi. Church remarked;
''well, can't be helped. Another bottle of
This bottle my American friend insisted
on paying for. l drank very little.
marked over the new bottle, "most singular
thing-aw-three fellahe, perfect strangers,
should meet like this-and all Of us strange
TO London Bay Jove. You're from the
North II had told them so, which was true)
I'm from the East, and our friend and
American brother, aw, if l may call him SO,
is from the West. Tell you what. As soon
as ever the lawyers have done up my bust
ness. you shall both come down to nv
place in Essex and see me. Jolly good
welcome and deuced good shooting. You
shoot, OF cOnrse!'
'Sheute! Wal, small piece. was lieu
tenant in General Sherman's army for three
yeeres. and very pretty sheutin we had.
Conclude you mean rifle sheu,inF'
"Oh, no: shooting game Mr.. Church
explained.
'Yeu don't du rifle shoctn'. then ~
bay JOve, no. l only shoot pheasants
md cartridges. and all that sor' Of thing"
"Recken yu're good shot. perhaps"
mo. nothing uncommon"
Wal. how many times dyu conclude
n 10 hI,lI' 81,
With rifle! p
"Oh. aw. suppose SIXTEEN" said Mr.
Church.
Bet yeu $40 yeu don't hit il fourteen"
Done"
"ver, good. sir; my friend here shall be
he umpire"
This was I.
ooh, no, hang it: he's friend Of yours
hats not fair. Have the landlord
Thus Mr.. Church
The American explained that the land !
ord could not leave his business. that was |
My Al acquaintance of half an hour, and |
ould not be preiudiced either way. So, |
With some apparent reluctance, Mr.. Church
Onsented.
The next thing was, where should We 90
to sheute off the affair 7" as nv American
riend put it. II know there's place
Westminster way" he said; 81 know there
J. cause the volunteers sheute there"
l told him no; the volunteers did not
boot at Westminster, but only paraded.
II mean gallery" he said. II know
ad sheute there with one or tew vOlun-
GERS last week; but l could not find the
lace again.
Call cab" suggested Church. "Cabby
be sure to know
where, sir p the cabman asked Church.
Westminster Palace HOTEL he replied.
was III cab with two men whose OBJ
ct was to rob me, and l was being driven
hither they directed. However l was not
Ding to be cowed at riding alone with two
lieves through the crowded London streets
broad day, and I was bent on disappoint-
g them. As we rode on they pretended
norance of the various buildings we
sssed. pointed out Somerset House, the
haring Cross Hotel, the National Gallery.
'hitehall, etc.
Arrived at Westminster, Church dis
Kissed the cab. We could walk the rest of
le way. he said, and the cah,nau ha3 .old
I'm where the shooting gallery Vas The
v" walked on either size Ut me. We came
ullty back street, inn. adiately behind ,
le W westminster Palace Ho,el, down that,
40 10 the rlght-a dirtier street still. l
aio inns was strange situation for shoot
g gallery: 1T is ali right when you get
lere., said Mr.. Church, sit is kept very
lug.'
At the lower end Of this street l was not
all i'll pleased to see policeman talking
woman. l tried my utmost to catch
g eye as We passed, but without success.
e turned down q third street of slimv |
buses, with here and there a filthy red |
rtain of q low public house. Sharp round |
e corner into q blind alley. A dark,