The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-29
STUNNING.
The Fashionable Amusement of the London
Swells Reaches Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Record

Philadelphia Record.
The anglo-maniac division of society in this
city is not particularly strong in numbers. but
what it lacks in numerical strength is amply
atoned for by the wild enthusiasm and unwav-
ering devotion shown by the little clique that
comprises it to anything and everything looked
upon by the "swells' of Great Britain. The
latest racket" to use an expressive if some
what vulgar word, which the aristocracy of Eng
land has made the fashion is what is known as
stunning or paying visits to the slums, as
the lowest, vilest and most disreputable districts
of London. or any other large city, are called,
and the feat was performed by party of Phila-
delphans on Thursday night, under the guild
ance of two stalwart policemen and private
detective of Pinkerton's staff.
The company numbered eleven, exclusive eff
the officers, six being gentlemen and five ladies,
three of the latter being married and acting as
matrons for the other two.
The start was made about half past o'clock
from the house of one of the married ladies,
who lives within riie-shot of Rittenhouse
Square, and the party drove in three carriages
to Eighth and South streets. where the vehicles
were left and where the explorers were Joined
by the detective and the officers, who proceeded
to disclose the mysteries and discomforts of St.
Mary and Alaska streets to the wondering and
disguised eyes of the summers
1T was the darndest racket I've had hand in
since came on the force, and that wasn't yes
terday, either" said one of the blue-coats last
night, as he recounted the incident to fellow
cop and a reporter under the friendly protection
of a Chestnut-street awning. when we started,
and before we struck anything bad, the wimmin
was full of it, and kept sayin', How excitin',
and lovely, and strange and weered it was to go
to such neigh borhood.' Oh, say what did they
mean by weered' anyhow
why, spooky, ghost-like kinda unreal you
know" volunteered the other cop.
well, didn't see anything unreal about it. l
thought it was too darned real, and so did they
before they got through"
Didn't they like itT
ooh, yes: Just about as much as a frozen old
bum would like plate of ice cream nice,
cold. rainy January night Why before they
had been in old Mays dive down in Alaska street
two minutes one of the women got seasick and
another came so near it that she had to cut for
the door, They ordered the cabs to come back
in two hours, but half an hour did the business
for the whole gang, and they went home in the
cars"
"Did they really see the worst of it!'
''No; we was keepin' the worst fur the last;
kinda piln on the agony. as it were, and bringin'
things up to crisis like they do in the yarns in
the story papers, but they some pretty
shows in that part of the town is overly pleas
ant you know
"Would you like to take any more parties in
hand!"
Would II Well, l don't want nuthen softer
There was a tenner in it, and l got eight drinks
Summarizing suits me to 7 evry time, and !
hopes their nibs the nobs takes to il regular"
Then, after moments pause, he added: But
they won't. The first gangll give the thing such
a blast that there won't be no second. Coin up
or downa Down, ehl Well, I'm goin' up, so
long" and the cop passed up the street, trying
the doors as he went along