Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-04-01

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day, and / 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 coulG walk the rest of the way, he
said, and the cabman had told him
whore the shooting gallery was. The
two walked one on either side Of me-
We came to dirty back street imme-
diatoly behind the Westminster Palace
Hotel, down that, and to the right--a
dirtier street still. l said this was a
strange situation for a shooting gall
lcry. 81, was all right when you got
there. Mr.. Church saidi 'it was kept
very snug"
At the lower end of this street, was
not at all ill-pleascd tosee policeman
talking TO woman. ] tried my utmost
TO catch his eye as we passed, but with
out success. We turned down a third
street Of Shiny houses with here and
there filthy red curtain Of low pub
lie house. Sharp round the corner into
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
10 the windows; the whole frontage
was smothcrcd 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 Il is,n said my American
friend. That's the identical crib
whore l made some fine sheutn' last
week. Come along"
l followed them to the door. go
and fetch-and-,n two names [
could not catch, overheard Church
whisper. The men went in first, fol-
lowing. The beer-shop was a 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 il was a partition with a halt
door, very strong. | saw, too, that it
had strong hasp or catch to it, with
out handle, so that. once past that, a
victim was shut in like a mouse in q
trap. | stopped there.
Come along, aud look sharp said
my American friend, with less twang
than before; "here's the gallery" and
| lie opened door on the left
l looked in at that open door. l saw
a strong room or cell, seven feet
square, as near rs l could judgo-noth-
ing but bare brick walls, no window
! Gt was lighted for the moment from
the passage), and deep sawdust on
the floor Both the men were beside
the door, standing half in light half in
shadow.
Harry the Maid, and Churcher,"
said, II know you both. IL won't do.
and YOU have lost some valuable time!"
/ slammed the half door to gain a mo-
ment's time from pursuit, and took to
my heels. had been in the court at
! Worcester when those two men were
tried for card-sharping. l never
slackened speed until | came upon the
policeman, who was still talking to the
woman.
Policeman / said. IL think I can
put you on two people you want, per-
haps-Harry the Maid and Churcher. p"
"Harry the Maid" he replied, 'sis
the greatest card-sharper in England,
and Churcher is the tip-top Of skittle
sharps; but that's not their only
trade
told him of my adventure, and how
had tried to arrest his attention as |
passed.
Look you here, SIR" he said, 'as
you've got away alive, and with your
clothes on, from those two, Just you be
very thankful for having done well,
and don't ask for any thing more. II
you had caught my eye as you passed.
| wouldn't have gone into that crib
after you-no, nor yet if there had been
two more along with me. II we want
a man out of that place we 90 ten and
a dozen strong, and even then it's q
risk
"But supposing had really been 8
simple countryman. and passed that
half door and gone into the trap?' ]
asked.
''If you had come out any more, il
would have been in your shirt, " replied
the policeman Tfza5 SittiHgs.