Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-03-26
AMONG SHARPS IN LONDON.


How My American Friend Got Left.
In February last year, came to Lon
don for the day, on business which took
me into the city. Having accomplish
ed the purpose of my visit more quickly
than / expected, Twas strolling leisurely
along St. PauIs Churchyard, 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 I was
the only loterer. A man, however,
walking nearly as slowl as l, seeing
me smoking as he passed, at last stop
ped and asked for a light. gave him
match. He fell back little out Of
the stream of traffic into the shelter of
shop window corner, to light his ci-
gar in peace. He was short man
about six and thirty, with brown beard
and whiskers, face a trifle marked
with smallpox, well-dressed. of gen.
tlemanly appearance, and spoke with a
strong Gndeed, much too strong) Amer
lean twang..
AS l continued my stroll, I soon be-
came aware that l was followed by this
gentleman, The slower I walked, the
slower he walked. It is not comforta-
bic to be followed I pulled up to let
him pass. Instead of doing so, he no
sooner came up with me, than be pulled
up too.
He set his head just a thought out of
the perpendicular, and looking me full
in the face said, "Guess this is tall
city? Rather tangled to get about in,
thought Now, it ain't like Philadelphy,
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"
"No?' / said CURLY, and was moving
mo, SIR he continued, walking by
my side, land it, useless for strang ger
in yure city to give his mind to going
anywhere, for he amt likely to get
there. Now, if it amt re-ude of a
stranger asking it, because he is a
stranger (and we know how to treat
strangers in our country, sir, where
mir yen going to? Happen yeu can put
me in the way where I'm goin' to-
Il am making for the Strand,'
said; IF your way lies in that direc:
ton can show it to you; if not, I can
tell you how to find it.
''Just where Pm castin' about to get
to- he returned; my moorins is at q
hotel opposite Somerset House, and as
soon as get into the Strand, I can fix
myself right up. So I'll just couple on
to yon."
allowed him to do so. limited that
I had no wish to show discourtesy to d
citizen of that great nation to which lie
belonged. My companion had plenty
to say. He ratified on about the States
being this and the States being that, sc
that it was needless for me to do any
more talking than an occasional inter
lection Of surprise or satisfaction, each
of which was recognized with Eyes
sir,' or a ''No, SIR completely final
He told me he had only been in Eng
land for fortnight-just taken a ru1
over to see the old country-and should
be back in Moo York again in couple
of months.
When he had passed through Temple
Bar, I told him he could be in no fur
ther doubt as to his way, since he was
now in the Strand.
I'm considerable obliged,' he said
fcr r,l>o
come to Moo York. But you amt goin
to part company like that?:''
had freed my arm and held out my
hand to wish him good morning.
You'll just do a spell?' he contin
ued.
"A WHAT" said I.
'.Du not make myself clear to thu
British intellect? Reckon you'll liquor?'
No. I reckoned l had, rather be ex
cused.
WAL" he said, chewing his cigar s<
that it assumed a rotary motion, ant
its point described a circle over BIZ
face. wal, sir, it's q custom we he'
in our country, and we think it rarhe
scaly manners to refuse. Reckon you
Britishers do not think it scaly to Sigh
= friends hospitality in the street. w
du'
AS he persisted in regarding my re
fusal almost in the light of a persona
insult, and would not listen to any ex
PLANTATION that we do not regard the de
clining OF drinks in similar light il
our. own country, yielded the point.
We retraced our steps short dis
lance and entered wine store, on tn
city side of Temple Bar, 81 very respect
able place where wines are drawn fron
the wood. Small round marble table
"A and light chairs are dispersed abou
the shop for the convenience of c,,sto
nners. Here my companion compound
ed . drink Of soda water and gin an.
!. lemon and ginger, Of which he wishe
me To partake Ideclined the mlixtur
and took a glass Of sherry. We Nigh
nave sat 1--WE minutes, when a tail an
important looking parsonage lonnge
into the wine-shop. As he entered h
east 4 s.pereilious look upon all the OF
HI .anpants Of the tables; then. raising hi
head. he removed his cigar and emitte
q long column Of smoke from his lip
S, 8 contemplation verdict Of lofty dis