The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-08-17
POISONED.
Startling Experiment in a London Tav-
6rQ,

Fifteen years ago / was in London,
living on slender pittance, and much
troubled in the matter of dinners. AS a
rule L dined in the middle of the day on
chop sent in by neighboring publ
can, and made out with bread and cheese
and beer at night. But there were times
when the soul craved more luxurious
living. Those times generally coincid-
ed pretty accurately with the advent of
quarter day, and then one would so in
for cut of Simpsons mutton. or If
more reckless, for dinner at the Wei
ington.
Sundays were the worst days for din
ner arrangements. By breakfast1ng at
noon, indeed, one avoided the necessity
of any luncheon but at about O'Clock
desperate craving would come over me,
gnawing vulture in the stomach would
increasingly cry for food. Frequently,
] confess, an empty purse conceded
with an empty stomach. and the vulture
cried in vain but sometimes one had
few shillings in ones pocket, and then,
even then, the problem was difficult
one-where to dine on Sunday.
One Sunday, I remember, l,y funds
were getting low, very low. L haG 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 appetite increas-
ed, resolution broke down. put on
my hat and hurried out in quest of
dinner.
When I made mp my mind TO go to
the Recesses for dinner, it was because
knew there was no other place open,
the prices of which would be within my
means How dismal it looked this Sun
day 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, remember, and it was rath-
er good, too. The fish was fshy, the
joint reduced to a stump.
sWaiter," 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 I put Ga spoon
full of dry mint. But after, the result
was not exhilarating it rather clogged
the pores, I think, that soup. Miserable
and depressed as I went into the Recess
ses, still felt more miserable, more de-
pressed after my dinner. I had spent
my prescribed allowance. I 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 medita-
ton.
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. I couldn't help
saying to myself, as / sat with my chin
resting on my hands, ST wish I were
dead -
/ didn't mean to say it aloud, but
suppose I 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 L had been dining, his
eyes fixed on his plate-looked up of
sudden, and gave me quick and search
ing glance.
L knew him then, it was Medhurst, an
old school-fellow. AS boy he had al
ways been mystery to us; that quick,
sudden glance of his had always had
such strange effect upon all on whom
it fell. We used to say he had the evil
eye, and wonderful tales used to be told
ut school about the effect of Medhurst's
look. Still, I was glad to see him any
relief from the loneliness and monotony
of my life was pleasant. lie 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
10 my very heart-''well, SO you wish
you were dead2'
''Did you hear me ?" said. "Oh, it
was nonsense, of course. I often say SO.
A foolish habit have. I don't mean
1T.
'It wasn't nonsense ~ he said he
talked in n low, monotonoEs voice, intel
ligible enough to the ear for which it
was intended, but not to be overheard
by others. cit wasn't nonsense, but a
very rational, prudent wish. I wish SO
myself and what is MORE" he said, 81
have the means to carry out both our
wishes
I laughed uneasily. "You are joking, -
/ said.
81 never joke. Until now" he went
on, ''the great deterring influence which
has restrained those wise men, who see
the folly and emptiness of life, who,
measuring their feeble capacities for en-
ioyment with their unlimited capabili-
ties for suffering, would gladly resign a
possession which has no advantage for
them-the great lettering influence has
been the doubt whether death be really
n complete severance of the body and
soul, whether, indeed, there is not a lin
gering capability of feeling still hanging
in the relaxed nerves, lingering con-
sciousness in the decaying brain that,
IN addition to the bitterness of death,