The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-07-04
TIMOTHY BLOGGS' FRIGHT.

About thirty years ago there stood,
IN the principal street Of a little Eng
lish village, a small one story building
over the door Of which hung sign
board bearing the following inscription:
Timothy BlOggs, Tailor"
The proprietor Of this establishment
was a quiet little man, whose uneyent-
full life had been as monotonous as the
clicking Of his great shears which for
more than twenty years had cut and
shipped in the service Of his patrons.
Never having been far from home, his
knowledge Of the outside world was
very limited, and it is not strange,
when he received a letter stating that
it would be necessary for him to 60 up
to London to take possession of a small
property left him by distant relative,
that he felt somewhat nervous about
his prospective journey. Fearing that
his ineXperience might cause him an
nOyance, he went for advice to his
friend, Mr.. Bamforth, the village Gu
rate, who, having once visited London
years before, was regarded by his ac-
qUaintances as a travelled man. The
old gentleman received Mr.. Bloggs cor
daily, and on learning his errand said,
a little pOmpOusly-
"You have done well, Timothy, and 1
will gladly give you the result Of my
experience"
Thereupon he entertained his he9rer
with a full account of his Own visit to
the metropolis, accompanied with many
hints and suggestions which he thought
would be useful to an inexperienced
traveller.
Timothy" he concluded, 81 would
most especially Warn you against the
sharpers that invest London in large
numbers. There are those, 1 am told.
who gain their livelihood by practising
upon the cre4ulity or simple country
folk who may be so unfortunate as to
fall into rleir clutches. And, more
over, there are persons who pilGer in the
most cunning manner, taking handker-
chiefs and purses from the pockets Of
the unwary. The city IS supplied with
a force Of police, and in case you fall
into the hands Of the wicked, you must
not hesitate to call upon an officer for
assistance. Touching your place of
abode while away, I would recommend
you to stop at the White Crow Tavern,
which I found to be a most orderly and
reputable house, where good bed and
board were to be obtained at a very
moderate price"
Thanking his friend for his kindness,
Mr.. BlOggs took his departure, and soon
after set out for London, where he ar
rived without accident; and after being
driven nearly crazy by the noise and
confusion which filled the railway sta
ton, and just escaping dismemberment
at the hands of persistent cabmen, he
succeeded, by dint of diligent inquiry,
in finding his hotel, which proved TO be
a dingy brick building standing in
somewhat gloomy sLreetnOt far from the
railway. Being a prudent man, he en-
gagged a small room near the top Of the
house, to which, fatigueG by his Jour-
ney and the unusual excitement of the
day, he retired early, and by half past
eight O'clOckin the evening was sound
asleep, not, however, before he had ex-
amined the door and window fasten-
ings to see il they were secure; had
looked into the closet and under the
bed, and had taken other precautions
usual with timid people before retiring
for the night.
Mr.. Bloggs was awakened-itseemed
TO him at IN unusual hourly the
sound Of voices so distinct he thought
at first they were in his room. Consid-
erably alarmed, he raised his head eau
tioUsly and listened, when he perceived
that the voice came from the next room
through thin partition at the head Of
his bed. The conversation which he
overheard instantly arrested bis atten-
tiOn.
IF you have a heart, if you are a
man, if you are not perfectly inhuman,
you will listen to what L say" exclaim-
ed a woman's voice, evidently in a tone
Of extreme anxiety mingled with fear.
IF 1 were not a fool, I should not
have listened to you thus far" replied
a man, eagerly. 81 tell you, words are
worse than thrown away. Ishall carry
out my purpose, all powers, human or
to the contrary"
Mr.. BIoggs began to feel uneasy.
And 1 tell you" answered the wO-
man, firmly, "that you shall not"
re- ssJVbo fs going fO Y,revent rne9D re-