Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-08-02
POISONED.
A Startling Experiment in a Lon
don Restaurant. u.s."

Fifteen years ago I was in London,
living On a slender pittance, and much
troubled in the matter of dinners. AS
q rule I dined in the middle of the day
On chop sent In by neighboring
publican, and made out with bread and
cheese and beer at night. But there
were times when the soul cras.ved more
1uxurions living. Those times general
~ conceded pretty accurately with the
advent of quarter day, and then one
would go In for cut of Simpsons NUT
on, or if more reckless, for a dinner at
the Wellington. aaa
Sundays were the worst days for dim
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 ceasingly cry for food.
frequently confess, an empty purse
conceded W tn an empty stomach, and
the vulture cried in vain; but some
times one had few shillings in ones
pocket, and then, even then, the prob
lem was difficult one-Where to dine
on Sunday.
One Sunday, remember, my funds
were getting low, very low. I had dc.
termined to remain in my lodging and
support nature ON tobacco smoke; bu
my hunger was too strong. I had a
few shillings left, and as the evening
wore on, and the cravings of my appe-
tie increased, resolution broke down.
I put On my hat and hurried out In
quest of a dinner.
When I made UP my mind to go to
the Recesses for q dinner, it was be-
cause [ knew there was no other place
open, the prices 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 a plate of biscuits. There
was pea-soup that night, I rem member,
and it was rather good, too. The fish
was fshy, the joint reduced to stump.
"Waiter," I cried, 'can I dispense
with the other courses, and dine off the
soup?"
eff you wish, of course, sir" said the
waiter.
[ had three helps of the excellent
pea-soup, and In each plateful / put a
spoonful of dry mint. But after, the
result was not celebrating; it rather
clogged the pores, | think, that soup.
Miserable and depressed as went into
the Reeesses, [ felt still more miserable,
more depressed after my dinner. Ihad
spent my prescribed allowance. 1
couldn't go anywhere or do anything.
I could only go 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 fend. / couldn't
help saying to myself, as I sat with my
chin resting on my hands, II wish l
were dead ~
"I didn't mean to say it aloud, but I
suppose must have whispered it audi
bly,, for man who was sitting opposite
me at the table-who had been sitting
there, smoothing his heavy red NOUS
tache all the time had been dining,
his eyes fixed on his plate-looked up
Of sudden, and gave me quick and
searching glance. aa5
knew hun then; it was Medhurst,
an old schoolfellow. AS boy he had
always been a mystery to us; that
quick, sudden glance of his had always
had such strange effect upen 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
Medhr SIS look. Still, I 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. 49,
"Well," he said, after we had shaken
hands-had a strange. fabby, chilly