The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-09-16
A DREAM AND A SLEEP.

7 had just completed my twenty fifth
veaY when [ first set foot in London. [
had come up partly to see the place, and
uartly to see a relative whom we expected
60 arrive from India any day of the week.
As you know, Mark, l have always been
O quiet, curious, dull fellow, taking little
interest in the ordinary amusements pro-
vided for the general public, and having
no appreciation for what is called fun.
So shat instead of seeking theater, or
SOME other brilliant place of entertain
lment, put on an overcoat, lit cigar, and
walked ont about o'clock.
There was a dense fog, and the air was
damp and unwholesome. I happened to
be staying at hotel so situated that by
the map I took all my bearings with re-
Ia4ion to Holborn. The gas lamps on
the opposite side of the street were to
be seen like balls of tow Illuminated by
a dull glow. They were visible, but
gave no light. I was in a large and very
busy street. Cabs and carts and omni-
buses passed In an unbroken current. [
became little depressed and confound-
ed, and meeting a quiet-looking street
which seemed to lead into some silent,
Iake-like square, turned down, and ex-
perienced the most inexpressible relief
from the muffied muteness around.
L suppose must have gone about a
hundred and fifty yards in a straight line
before discovered there was no way of
exit at the end. I crossed, and began
walking back toward the head of the
street Before 1 got half way I reached
a turning to the left, and for moment
stood i1resolute as to which course I
should take.
AS was celebrating, I heard footsteps
approaching rapidly. The tread was
that of man running quickly. / drew
a little out of the way to let him pass;
but, as he went to the same side, he ran
against me rather forcibly, and, tripping
over raised stone in the kennel, fell
heavily to the ground. helped him to
rise. He was not hurt; and when he
szEld / had exchanged apologies he turned
slowly down the street to the left, and
walked with bent head and deliberate
step.
The two questions which arose to me
were, who was he and what had occa-
stoned his haste? His manner and
speech were those of a gentleman; and,
as far SIS [ could see, there was nothing
IN his dress or appearance inconsistent
with the presumption that he was one.
What could make man of his class
nush down a by-street at such pace, and
then suddenly, upon receiving a mo-
nnentary check, subside into a shamble ?
Had lie committed some crime, and
zRere the ministers of justice upon his
track?
I listened, half expecting to hear the
CHATTER of feet in chase. All was still in
the street, and from beyond the street
the sound OF traffic came feebly and
duly, like the muttering of water in a
distant cave.
Mechanically turned into the narrow
street the man had entered. I could not
{ relieve my mind of him. He chung to
lGne like the Yapor. But what was it that
seemed SO strange about hin2 All of
us have experienced the phenomenon of
remembering, or recalling, or reimpos-
ing on the mind persons and objects of
vwEaich, at the time they were displayed
"a zzs, we took no sensible mental impress
sion. So it was now with me in this
case. j began realizing his face; al
though at the time we stood opposite to
one another had no image of which /
was oesnscious Id my mind. Now the
1face, 1gas beginning to float up out of the
egIOGEal, and to trouble me.
At first could make out In the cham
Sslers of my perplexed mind no more of
that face than general expression of
strange excitement wrestling with some
thing else. Whence came that excite
.menf9o and what was that something
eIse2 / have always taken great de-
Light IN trying to read the heart through
the face. This mans manner puzzled
me considerably, and when I first felt
:she recollection of his face dawning upon
me | said to myself, Now shall know
Al But it never came before me dis
iaanctly. was distracted by it, without
Delng able to seize firm hold Of 1t, or
OF any leading idea in connection with
it, beyond the general expression of ex-
szbement constrained or influenced by
some contending force.
/ was very much interested in nv
vague speculation, and [ must have
walked more than mile before I became
aware of the fact that had been making
SsuTns without recording them. So that
sWdSd1 aWoho 10 Senso OI my SITUATION
IL had lost my way. l received an I'M
pleasant shock; for although I had no
fear, the place where found myself was
gloomy and forbidding in the extreme.
Overhead hung huge warehouses,
whose upper stories were lost in the fog
and night. The lane was narrow, and
practicable only to foot passengers.
Strain my ears as I might, I could hear