Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-04-22
LONDON SHARPS.
Harry the Maid" and "Churcher'
Meet Their Match.

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, l 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, walkingnear-
ly as slowly as l, seeing me smoking as
he passed, at last stopped and asked
for light. gave him amatch. He
fell back little out of the stream OF
traffic into the shelter of shop win
dow corner to light his cigar in peace.
He was a short man about six and
thirty. with brown beard and whisk-
ers, face trifle marked with small
pox, well-dressed, of gentlemanly APP
pearance and spoke with a strong
(indeed, much too strong) American
twang.
As / continued my stroll, soon be-
came aware that was followed by this
gentleman. The slower walked the
slower he walked. 1t is not comforta-
BILE to be followed--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
cityp Rather tangled to get about in,
thought 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.
MOP" / said CURLY, 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 ge'
there. Now, if it ain re-ude of a strang
er asking it, because he is a stranger
(and wc know how to treat strangers
in our country, sir), where air yeu
going TOP Happen yeu can put me il
the way where I'm going to. )"
II am making for the Strand"
said 'if your way lies in that direction
can show it to you; if not, can tel
YOU how to find it.
Just where I'm castin' about to ge
to- he returned; ''my moorins is at ;
hotel opposite Somerset House, and a
soon as get into the Strand, l can fl,
myself right up. So I'll just couple OF
to you.
| allowed him to do so. l hinteC
that / had no wish to show discourtes,
to a citizen of that great Nation t
which he belonged. My companion
had plenty to say. He ratified on abou
the States being this and the State
being that, so that it was needless TO
me 10 do any more talking than an oc
casional interjection of surprise or sat
isfaction, each of which was acknowl
edged with a Eyes, SIR" or "No
sir" completely final. He told me h
had only been in England for fort
night-just taken run over to see tn
old country-and should be back il
Moo York again in couple of months
When we had passed through Tempt
Bar, l told him he could be in N,
further doubt as to his way, since h
was now in the Strand.
I'm considerable Obliged he said
.rll do as much for you when yo1
come to Moo York. But you amt goin
to part company like thatp"
| had freed my arm and held out m,
hand to wish him good-morning.
You'll just do spellP" he con
tinued.
"A what?" said l.
''Du not make myself clear to tn
British intellect Reckon you'll lie
uorp"
No, | reckoned | had rather be ez
cused.
'Wal," he said, chewing his cigar S
that it assumed rotary motion, an
its point described circle over hi
face. '.Wal, sir, it's custom we he
in our country. and we think it rathe
scalv manners to refuse. Reckon yo
Britishers do not think it scaly to Sigh
friends hospitality in the street. w
du.n
As he persisted in regarding my II
fusal almost in the light of persons
insult, and would not listen to any e,
PLANTATION that we do not regard tn
declining of drinks" in a simila
light in our own country. | yielded tn
point.
We retraced our steps short di'
lance and entered wine store, on th
city side of Temple Bar, eryrespect
able place. where wines are draw
from the wood. Small round marbl
tables and light chairs are dispense
about the shop for the convenience {
customers. Here my companion CON
pounded a drink of soda water and gi
and lemon and ginger, of which b
wished me to partake. declined tn
mixture and took glass of sherr,
We might have sat five minutes, whe
tall and important looking personae
lounged into the wine-shop. As }
entered he cast q superciious loo