Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-04-01
LONDON SHARPS.
"Harry the Maid" and Churchor'
Meot Their Match.


In February last year. Icamo 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 expected. was stroll
ing lcisurcly along St Paurs Church
yard, with the view OF working my
way into the Strand. The time of d Y
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-
tercr. A man, however, walking near
" as slowly as /. seeing me smoking as
he passed, at last stopped and asked
for a light. gave him a match. He
fell BACK little out Of the stream Of
traffic into the shelter of a shop win
dow corner 10 light his cigar in peace.
He was a short man about six and
thirty, with brown beard and whisk-
ers, face triile marked with small
pox, well-drussed. Of gcntlemanly ap-
pearance ana spoke with strong
(indeed, much too strong) American
twang.
As / continued my stroll, / soon be-
came aware that | was followe by this
gentleman. The slower | walked the
slower he walked. Il Is not comforta-
BILE to be followed 80 | 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 n thought ont Of
the perpendicular, and looking me full
in the face, said: "Guess this is tall
cityP Rather tangled 10 get about in,
though? Now, il amt ike Philadcl-
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 l said curtly. and was NOV
ing on.
sNo. sir" he continued, walking by
my side, "and it's useless for a stranger
in yure city to give his mind 20 going
anywhere, for he amt likely TO get
there. Now, Il Il ain I re-udc Of strang-
er asking IL, because he Is a stranger
(and We know how 10 treat strangers
in our country, sir). where air yeu
going TOP Happen yen can put me in
the way where I'm going to. "
Il am making for the Strand !
said; III your way lies in that direction
can show it TO you; If not, / can tell
you how TO find il.
''Just where I'm castin' about to get
TO- he returned; "my moorins is at a
hotel opposite Somerset House, and as
soon as get into the Strand, / can fix
myself right up So I'll just couple on
% you.
l allowed him to do so. hintcd
that had no wish to show discourtesy
20 n citizen OF that great Nation TO
which he belonged. Ny companion
had plenty 10 say. He ratified on about
the States being this and the States
being that. SO that il 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 ''No,
sir, completely final. He told me he
had only been in England for a fort
night ht-iust taken "A run over 10 see the
old country and should be back in
Moo York again in couple Of months.
When We had passed through Temple
Bar, told him he could be in no
further doubt % 10 bis way, since he
was now In the Strand.
'Im considerable Obliged" he said.
"l'll DO as much for you when you
clme to Moo York. But you ain { goin'
g. part company like that?'
] had freed my arm and held out my
hand 10 wish him gOod-morning.
you'll just do a spellen he con-
timed.
"A what?r said /.
''Du / not make myself clear 10 the
British intellect? Reckon you'll liq-
uOrg'
No, reckoncd / had rather be ex-
cused.
"Wal," he said, chewing his cigar 50
that it assumed rotary motion, and
It's point described circle over his
face. oval, sir its custom we hev
in our country, and we think it rather
scaly manners - refuse. Reckon YOU
Britishers do not think il scaly TO slight |
friends hospitality in the street We
du.
As he persisted IN regarding my re-
fusal almost in the light Of personal |
insult, and would not listen 10 any ex- |
planation that we do not regard the /
declining of drinks" in a similar 4
light in our own country, 1 yielded the
point
We retraced our steps short dis
tnncc and entered wine store, on the |
city side of Temple Bar, yeryrespect- |
ntle place where wines are drawn
from the wood. Small round marble
tables and light chairs are dispersed
ABOUT the shop for the convenience Of
customers. Here my companion com
pounded drink OF soda water and gin
ana 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
tall and important looking parsonage
lounged into tho wine-shop. A. he
entered he csst a superciiiOrs look
upon an The occupants Of the tablesi
then, raising his head, he removed his
cigor and emitted o long coiumn Of
smoke from his lips ~ a contemptpons
verdict 0f lofty disapproval on the So
ciety he had Joined. He was well
dressed --ifreproachahly 50 far rs the
qualify and cit Of his clothes were con-
ceiucd; bat they seemed 20 assert that
conscious independence II their wuarer
lhat new clothea will assert over a per-
aon who has'heen up an night Ills
black hair and mpel nustaehe were
ftrurniously Well Hrfangfd, but his
1s0t b|InkeA IN The daylleht sctmluf'y
I1r want u a n|eht gst
..... ......I "a. Is IIE IuIlIn IND