The Princeton union., 1880-01-21
OF INTRODUCTION

.OA CuO AACNOIJ NVOAAos
LETTER OF INTRODUCTION.
''I'm sorry I can't 90 to London with
you," said Mr.. Bridgnorth, who had just
crossed the Channel with me, as we stood
chatting at the Dover railway station,
whittier he had come to see me off. ..
Our brief acquaintance, struck up the
night before on the Calais packet, had
been rendered so agreeable by Mr.
Bridgnorth's affability that was more
than half prepared, if not to dispute the
dogma that gruffness is the predominat-
lug feature oil English manners, at least
to admit that 1t is a rule not without
exception. .."''".
1T would afford me pleasure he
added, gro act the part of guide, phlloso-
pher and friend on your first visit to the
great metropolis; but since that cannot
Robustness before pleasure, you know
I've written letter to chum of mine
in town, which you would do we'll to
present to him as soon as possible, for
he's connoisseur in city life, and will
see you suitably bestowed" s. - ..
thanked my new friend for his kind
ness, put his letter in my pocket, and
bidding him many warm adieux, hurried
at the call of the guard to take my place
aboard the train. . ..... ~. .
was followed up the steps by thick
set and rather featured man. who,
beside myself, was the sole occupant of
the compartment. The door was locked,
and the bell rung, snd the train set in
motion.
The stout gentleman busted himself
for a time with his newspaper, and then
threw it down with grunt. The next
half hour he looked out Of the window,
d his face betokening anything but pleas
ure at the prospect, the charms of which
are not heightened by the effect of dull
autumn drlzzle. 1 So.
Turning about with another grunt, his
deep-set gray eyes glanced me over keen
ly. {. -.-
"Do you know the-the gentleman
you were talking with just before the
train started?' he asked, in q quick,
sharp voice.
81 do," I answered-mentally adding,
1nquisitiveness, see, isn't exclusively
Yankee fault" 80. ..s.s.. ....
"Seems to me I've seen him before
What might his name be2" fl...-..
"Bridgnorth." -+.r~r.-~r
"And your ownp -a ..- ,..
"Hanley." -
was more amused than annoyed at
this cross-examiration. ~ .rs-
"How long have you known Mr.. Bridg-
north2' continued my inquisitor.
"Slnce we got on the Calais boat to-
gether last evening"" I replied. -
"Humph!"
thought it was now my turn.
'Do you reside in London" I began.
eyes"
"May inquire your namc9'
MacGrumlie."
"Scotch extraction, I presumed"
"Can't say-never saw the family tree
"Nor need you wish to, If it's known
by its fruit" was the retort had on the
tip of my tongue, but I left it there.
"By the way" I said, after pause,
"Mr. Brignorth was kind enough to give
me letter of introduction to friend of
his; perhaps, on our arrival, you can di-
rect me to the place mentioned in the
address," NJ" D
''What is it," .'S .s 2.~ '.-'
Ishowed him the supcrscription.
w LII auoC CuCI VI Ills pu6 liz
handed the letter back. .@.'@ 's
'Do you want to 60 there at once2"
he inquired. |'s"0 r t'..f..@
II might as WE'LL" said I: "I have no
acquaintances in London, and Mr.. Bridg-
north has assured me of his friends
kindly Offices" . f"H".- .2 "#7.,
II will show you the way" Mr.. Mac
Grumlie was kind enough to say; cit IS
on my road home. Yon can leave the
luggage at the station, and we will take
the cab together" ,a 2at-. "N&
This agreed to, the conversation flag
ged, in spite of all efforts on my part to
revive it. l couldn't help contrasting
the hours so lately enllvened by Mr..
Bridgenorth's wit and gayety, with those
whose tedium had nothing to relieve it
but MaeGrumlie's ever recurring solilo-
quies of humphs and grunts.
1t was dark when we reached the CITY
My mpanion hailed cab, gave the
driver the direction, and, jumping in by
my side, we were soon rafting down a
shabby, ill-lighted street. ~ E-Ls e1
"Here YOU are' said MacGrumlie, as
we checked up in front OF sombre-look-
ing building. aa2 ssaa
Few words were spent in leave taking.
l got out, paid my share of the fare, and
having with difficulty distinguished the
number on the door, I rang the bell,
while the cab turned the next corner.
Several minutes elapsed, and was on
the point of giving the bell another pull,
when heard steps inside. The door
opened, and not very propossessing
male servant growled:
"What do you want9"
81 have letter for Mr.. Fitz Quagg,"
I said; "is he in?''
"Gimme it, and I'll see," said the
lackey, snatching rather than receiving
the letter from my hand.
Without inviting me to enter, he
slammed the door in my face, and heard
his heavy tramp retreating.
After another delay, and sound OF
lighter footsteps, the door was again
opened, and youngish looking man, in
q garb, as revealed by the imperfect
>so1> ~