Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-06
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.
In the Streets Of London,

About forty years ago l had been one
night to Covent Garden Theatre. There
was a very crowded house, Madame YES
iris had been performing, and it was near
midnight when the curtain fell In the
crush of getting out got parted from my
friend Cawthornc, and found myself alone
in the streets Of London. l had only been
in the city about fortnight, so knew but
little of my way about, and felt afraid to
inquire of strangers, having been warned
OF the terrible traps laid to ensnare young
men from the country. I looked in vain
for policeman or watchman, and wan
dered up and down till the streets were
almost deserted. At last I determined to
find my way to Gray's Inn Road, Holborn
where our rooms were, and turned as I
expected, in the right direction. All at
once 1 found myself in space from
which there appeared to be endless out
lets.
1t was dark night, and the misera-
die lights in the streets only served to
make darkness visible. Here was a
Dilemma had not the slightest idea
which way I ought to take. I was no
coward, but the thousht of being caught
by thieves and plundered, and per
haps murdered for my gold, sent a
wild thrill through me, and bathed me
In cold perspiration. had large sum
of money in my pocket and roll of
notes in my pocket-book, which I had
incautiously delayed putting in the bank,
besides a valuable gold watch and chain,
an old heirloom. How inwardly blame
ed myself for bringing so much wealth
out with me. took few coins out of
my purse and put them loosely in nv
pocket, then thrust both purse and pocket
book into an inner pocket under my vest.
| had not single weapon of defense
about me, nothing but my fists, and those
| could use to some purpose if needful.
l had just buttoned my coat, and deter
mined to take the widest street, or what
appeared to me such, when saw man
crossing just before me. I shouted
"Good night and asked my where
abouts.
"Better find out" was the surly reply,
as he passed on.
"Out on your incivility! Good-even-
ing, sir. Lost your way, eh, sir9H ex-
claimed voice near me.
THAT l have" l replied, "and shall be
much obliged if you can put me right,
sir"
While I spoke 1 eyed the newcomer
as closely as | could. He appeared to be
of gentlemanly bearing, and, as far as I
could discern, was well dressed; his
speech bespoke him above the common.
"Well, sir, if any man in London can
put you right, I can. Tell me the spot
within a radius of ten miles, and can
put you on it. Not street, not an
alley is unknown to Captain Cornelius
Smith. | know Paris, Berlin, Vienna
and Madrid almost as we'll as Lon7on.
New York is by no means strange to me;
in fact, | just hail from that side of the
Atlantic. What part Of this metropolis
may you want to find, sir?"
"My rooms are in Gray's Inn Road.
Just out OF Holborn. I heartily wish 1
was In them at this moment
"No doubt, sir, no doubt. Gray's Inn
Road? Merely Il stones throw. Go
straight on; turn to your right, then to
your left, to your right again; then to
your left. Go straight on, cross Holborn,
and there you are. A stranger to London,
[ see, sir; up from the countrywide folk,
did you say? I know Norfolk; stayed
there one shooting season with m friend
Taylor What sport we had Beg par
don, sir, you wish to get On. Allow ME
to conduct you
Thanking him, l said l did not wish to
trouble him to go with me: if he would
Just put lc in the way, should be all
right.
"My dear sir" he replied, II could not
think OF leaving you alone on such a night.
so dark, and at such an hour! Just the
night for footpads. All, this London is a
queer place after dark; Suspicion charact-
ers are afloat then: But perhaps you are
armed; a pistol, life-preserver, or some
otner handy little means of self-defence2"
l assured him that 1 possessed no wea-
pom whatever.
"Ah see. Garry no valuables; unsus-
picious. Never be too trusting. Leave
your purse at home, ch. sir?''
81 have little money in nv pocket
l replied, "but barber no fear of robbers
This was scarcely the truth, hut l be-
gan to be rather distrustful of nv COM
panlon, as | noticed we had turned down
q ilo", uaSdSIeedDle street.
SAT any rate" I continued, "I have
nothing that would make it worth their
while to modest me-"
"No? Well, you are wise not to carry
your gold in your pockets or on your per-
son. had to buy that wisdom. Some
years ago was on the continent, and
wanted to get from Vienna to Berlin; and
to do so | had to post it most of the way.
Well, sir, one night the coach, carriage,
chaise, diligence, or whatever you might
call the vile conveyance had to travel
In, broke down, and we were benlghted.
There were four of us, and two ladies.
Poor things shall never forget their ter
ror. One vowed she saw the driver take
the pin out Of one of the wheels at the
bottom of the hill, and felt certain he was
II league with banditti, if not one of them.
We tried to allay their fear, but it was
no use. My fellow travellers looked to
their pistols, when, to their CONSERVATION.
they found the charges had been all
drawn. There was general shout of
treachery, and each prepared to defend
himself as best he could. We saw light
In the distance, and made the best of
ur way to it. When we were In what
seemed hearing distance, we heard a
shrill whistle, and Immediately were sur
rounded by band of rufians.
The one who appeared to be the leader