Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-04-22

"Oh, no; hang it. He's friend Of
yours-that's not fair. Have the land
lord" This Mr.. Church.
The American explained that the
landlord could not leave his business,
and that was only an acquaintance of
half an hour, and could not be preju-
diced either way. So, with some APP
parent reluctance, Mr.. Church con-
sented.
The next thing was, where should we
90 ''to sheute off the affair" as my
American friend put it. II know
there's place, Westminster way" he
said. II know there is, cause the vol
unteers sheute there"
l told him no; the volunteers did
not shoot at Westminster, but only
paraded
II mean gallery" he said. II
know had a sheute there with one or
tew volunteers last week; but /
couldn't find the place again
"Call cab" suggested Church.
"Cabby'll be sure to know"
where to, STRIP the cabman asked
Church.
Westminster Palace Hotel" he re.
piled.
was in a cab with two men whose
object was to rob me, and | was being
driven whittier they directed. How
ever, / was not going to be cowed at
riding alone with two thieves through
the crowded London streets in broad
day, and l was bent on Disappointing
them. As we rode on, they pretended
ignorance of the various buildings we
passed. pointed out Somerset House,
the Charing Cross Hotel, National Gal
lery, Whitehall, etc. Arrived at West
minister, Mr.. Church dismissed the cab.
We could walk the rest of the way, he
said, and the cabman had told him
where the shooting gallery was. The
two walked one on either side of me.
We came to dirty back street .imme-
diately behind the Westminster Palace
Hotel, down that, and to the right-a
dirtier street still. | said this was a
strange situation for shooting gal
lery. ut was all right when you got
there" Mr.. Church said; lit was kept
very snug"
At the lower end of this street, was
not at all ill-pleased to see policeman
talking to woman. l tried my utmost
to catch his eye as we passed, but with
out success. We turned down third
street of Shiny houses with here and
there filthy red curtain of a low pub
lie house. Sharp round the corner into
a blind alley. A dark greasy brick
wall blocked the other end of the place,
so | knew we had reached our destina-
ton. Scarcely more than one of the
dilapidated wooden houses in the alley
showed outward signs of being ten
anted; decayed shutters were nailed up
to the windows; the whole frontage
was smothered in filth and CRIME. The
most Misunderstanding public house
ever set my eyes on was the last house
but one, nearest the wall.
That's the gallery" said Church.
Reckon it is" said my American
friend. THAT'S the identical crib
where made some fine sheutin' last
week. Come along"
followed them to the door. $50
and fetch-and-," two names ]
could not catch, overheard Church
whisper. The men went in first, fol-
lowing. The beer-shop was filthy
room, about six feet square, on the
right as we entered, with only win.
dow to serve beer through. The pas
sage was long. About three yards
down it was partition with hall
door, very strong. l saw, too, that il
had strong hasp or catch to it, with
out handle, so that, once past that, s
victim was shut in like mouse in 8
trap. l stopped there.
''Come along, and look sharp" said
my American friend, with less twans
than before; "here's the gallery" anc
he opened door on the left.
looked in at that open door. saw
a strong room or cell, seven fee
square, as near as l could judge-noth
ing but bare brick walls, no window
Gt was lighted for the moment from
the passage), and deep sawdust OF
the floor. Both the men were besid,
the door, standing halfin light half il
shadow.
Harry the Maid, and Churcher,"
said, 81 know you both. 1t won't do
and you have lost some valuable timer
slammed the half door to gain mo
ment's time from pursuit, and took t,
my heels. had been in the court a
Worcester when those two men wer
tried for card-sharping. / neve
slackened speed until / came upon tn
policeman, who was still talking to tn
woman.
policeman" l said, II think cal
/ put you on two people you want, per
haps-Harry the Maid and Churcher
"Harry the Maid" he replied, Il
the greatest card-sharper in England
and Churcher is the tip-top of skittl
sharps; but that's not their onl
trade"
l told him of my adventure, and HOY
/ had tried to arrest his attention as
passed.
''Look you here, SIR he said, "a
you've got away alive, and with you
clothes on, from those two, just you b
very thankful for having done well
and don't ask for any thing more.
you had caught my eye as you passed
/ wouldn't have gone into that cri
after you-no, nor yet if there had bee
: two more along with me. If we wan
: a man out of that place we go ten an
a dozen strong, and even then it's
: risk"
"But supposing l had really been
simple eountryman, and passed ths
half door and gone into the trap"
' asked.
"If you had come out any more,
would have been in your shirt, reptile
I the policeman.-Teras Sytings