The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-03-26
LONDON SHARPS.
"Harry the Maid" and Churcher''
Meet Their Match.

In February last year, Icame to Lon
don for the day, on business which
took me into the city. Having accom-
plished the purpose of my visit more
quickly than l expected, was stroll
ing leisurely along ST. Paul's Church
yard, with the view of working my
way into the Strand. The time of day
was something after twelve at noon,
and of all the busy stream of people
that flowed city ward or ebbed past
me, it seemed that / was the only loi-
terer. A man, however, walkingn near
ly as slowly as |, seeing me SIN oking as
he passed, at last stopped and asked
for light. gave him match. He
fell back q little out of the stream of
traffic into the shelter of shop win
dow corner to light his cigar in peace.
He was short man about six and
thirty, with brown beard and whisk-
crs, face trifle marked with small
pox, well-dressed, of gentlemanly APP
pearance and spoke with strong
(indeed, much too strong) American
twang.
AS l continued my stroll, / soon be-
came aware that | was followed by this
gentleman. The slower / walked the
slower he walked. 1t is not comforta-
bic to be foliowed--so ! pulled up to
let him pass. Instead Of doing so, he
no sooner came up with me, than he
pulled up, too.
He set his head just thought out of
the perpendicular, and looking me full
in the face, said Guess this is tall
city? Rather tangled to get about in,
though? Now, it amt like Philadel-
ply, where our critters knew what they
was going at before they begun to build,
and ruled all the streets straight ahead
in right lines. No, sir. y
mop / said curtly, and was NOV
ing on.
mo, sir" he continued, walking by
my side, "and it's useless for stranger
in yure city to give his mind to going
anywhere, for he amt likely to get
there Now, if it ain t re-ude of astrang-
or asking it, because he Is a stranger
(and zoe know how to treat strangers
in our country sir), where air yeu
going to? Happen yen can put me in
the way where I'm going to. ..4
Il am making for the Strand" /
said; eff your way lies in that direction
can show it to you; if not, | can tell
You how to find it,
"Just where I'm castin' about to Get
to-" he returned; tiny moorins is at q
hotel opposite Somerset House, and as
soon as get into tho Strand, / can fix
myself right up. So I'll just couple on
to YOU"
l allowed him to do so. l limited
that had no wish to show discourtesy
to citizen of that great Nation to
which he belonged. My companion
had plenty to say. He ratified on about
the States being this and the States
being that, so that it was needless for
me 10 do any more talking than an oc-
casional interjection of surprise or sat
iSfaction, each of which was acknowl-
edged with Eyes, SIR" or a mo,
sir, " completely final. He told me he
had only been in England for fort
nicht-just taken run over to see the
Moo York again in couple of months.
When we had passed through Temple
Bar, l told him he could be in no
further doubt as to his way, since he
was now in the Strand.
I'm considerable Obliged" he said,
"Tll do as much for YOU when YOU
come to Moo York. But you amt goin'
to part company like thatPn
had freed my arm and held out my
hand to wish him good-morning.
you'll just do spellP" he con-
tinued.
"a what?'' saidI.
"Du not make myself clear to the
British intellect Reckon you'll liq-
uorP"
No, reckoned l had rather be ex-
cused
WAL" he said, chewing his cigar so
that it assumed q rotary motion, and
its point described a circle over his
face. oval, sir, it's a custom we hev
in our country, and we think it rather
scaly manners to refuse. Reckon you
Britishers do not think it scaly to slight
a friends hospitality in the street. We
du."
AS he persisted in regarding my re-
fusal almost in the light OF o personal
insult, and would not listen to any ex-
PLANTATION that we do not regard the
declining of drinks" in a similar
light in our own country, / yielded the
point.
We retraced our steps q short dis
lance and entered a wine store, on the
city side of Temple Bar, avery respect
able place where wines are drawn
from the wood. Small round marble
tables and light chairs are dispersed
about the shop lor the convenience of
customers. Here my companion COM
pounded drink of soda water and gin
and lemon and ginger, of which he
wished me to partake. declined the
mixture and took glass of sherry.
We might have sat five minutes. when
tail and important looking parsonage
lounged into the wine-shop. As he
entered he cast q supercilious look
Jpoa all the occupants of the tables;
hen, raising his head, he removed his
cigar and emitted long column of
SI,oke from his lips as contemptuouS
verdict of lofty disapproval on the So
cicty he had joined He was well
drcsscd--irreproachably, so far as the
quality and cut of his clothes were con-
earned; but they seemed to assert that
conscious independence of their wearer
that new clothes viii assert over a per-
son who has been up all night. His
black hair and small mustache were
scruprlously well arranged, but his
eyes blinkcd in the daylight, seemingly
for want Of a nights rest.
lie sauntered up to our table and