Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-12-06
POISONED.
A STAErIING EXPERIMENT IN A LONDON
RESTAURANT.

Fifteen years ago l was in London,
living on a slender pittance and much
troubled in the matter of dinners. As
a rule dined in the middle of the day
on chop sent in by neighboring pub
lican, and made out with bread and
cheese and beer at night. But there
were times when the soul crayed more
luxurious living. Those times gener-
ally coincided pretty accurately with
the advent of quarter day, and then
one would go in for cut of Simpsons
mutton, or if more reckless for din
ner at the Wellington.
Sundays were the worst days for din
ner arrangements. BY breakfasting at
noon, indeed, one avoided the necessity
of any luncheon; but at about five
O'Clock desperate craving would come
over me, a gnawing vulture in the
stomach would increasingly cry for food.
Frequently, confess, an empty purse
coincided with an empty stomach, and
the yulture cried in vain; but some
times one had few shillings in ones
uocket, and then, even then, the pro-
blem was difficult one-where to dine
on Sunday.
One Sunday, remember, my funds
were gettidg low, very lOw.. / had de-
termined TO remain in my lodging
and support nature on tobacco smoke !,
but my hunger was too strong. l had
few shillings left, and as the evening
wore on, and the cravings of my appe-
tIte increased, resolution broke down.
put on my hat and hurried out In
quest of dinner.
When l made up my mind to go to
the Recesses for dinner, it was be-
cause knew there was no other place
open, the pieces of which would be
within my means. How dismal it
looked this Sunday evening, that long,
low room its tables almost deserted,
save BY one or two men here and there
nOdding over plate of biscuits. There
was pea soup that night l remember,
and it was rather good, too. The fish
was fishy, the joint reduced to stump.
waiter" / cried, scan l dispense
with the other courses, and dine off the
soup?'
''If you wish, of course, sir, said the
waiter.
had three helps of the excellent pea
soup, and in each plateful l put a
spoonful of dry mint. But after all, the
result was not exhilarating; 1t rather
clogged the pores, think, that soup.
Miserable and depressed after my din
ner, mad spent my prescribed allow
ance. couldn't go anywhere or do
anything. 1 could only 60 back to my
gloomy lodgings through the sloppy
street and sit, and lonely chew the cud
of bitter meditation.
The idea seemed too horrible; and
yet now, as ever, there appeared to be
no escape for me from the embraces OF
this dull, melancholy fiend. l couldn't
help saying to myself, as sat with my
chin resting on my hands, 81 wish l
were dead!"
81 didn't mean to say it aloud, but L
suppose must have whispered it audi
bly,, for man who was sitting Oppo-
site me at the table-whO had been sit
ting there, smoothing his heavy red
moustache all the time had been din
ing, his eyes fixed on his plate-looked
up of sudden and gave me a quick
and searching glance.
knew him then; it was Medhurst,
an old school-fellow. As boy he had
always been a mystery to us; that
quick, sudden glance of his had always
had such a strange effect upon all on
whom it fell. We used to say he had
the evil eye, and wonderful tales used
TO be told at school about the effect of
Medhurst's look. Still, 1 was glad to
see him: any relief from the Loneliness
and monotony of my life was pleasant.
He recognized me also, and came over
and sat beside me.
"Well," he said, after We had shaken
hands-he had a strange, fabby. chilly
hand, which somehow sent an icy
thrill to my very heart-''well, SO you
wish you were dead?"
Did you hear me?" l said. "Oh, II
was nonsense, of course l often say
so. A foolish habit 1 have. 1 don't
mean it."
at wasn't nonsense" he said; he
talked i'm a low, monotonous voice, In
telligible enough to the ear for which
1t was intended. but not to be over
heard by others. at wasn't nonsense,
but very rational, prudent wish.
wish so myself; and what is more," he
said, 81 have the means to carry oul
both our wishes."
laughed uneasily. ''You are jok'
ing, l said.
81 never joke. Until now," he wen'
on, ''the great deterring influence
which has restrained those wise men
who see the folly and emptiness OF life
who, measuring their feeble capacities
Tor enjoyment with their unlimited ca
pabilities for suffering would gladly
resign possession which has no ad
vantage for them-the great deterrins