Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-20
A NIGHT WITH DICKENS.
AN ENGLISH REPORTER TELLS AN
INTERESTING STORY.
The Famous Novelist Points Out the
Places Where He Found His Charac-
ters-Meeting Dick Swiveler and Bill
Sykes-Little Nell.

DIChCuS. ItS, III LIS way IC w do a boudhco-
peare" And Lloyd wheeled around in his
chair, and faced me with unnaturally bright
eyes and flushed face.
knew that Lloyd was an Englishman, and
heard that mad given him good position
On a London paper when be came to this
/ country, but he has told me very little about
himself How the name of Dickens cropped
out in our conversation l cannot now re-
member, but when it was mentioned Lloyd
! became enthusiastic.
Il spent a wonderful night with him once, y
he said, lighting fresh cigar, land when
you mentioned his name it all came back to
me 1t was in '5S or SO. At that time had
the police department on The South London
Journal. Without stretching it at all,
think | may say that had made some little
reputation for myself.
well, to cut a long story short, I was
working away at my desk one evening, when
Inspector Davis came in.
"'What do you say to going the rounds
with me tonight said the Inspector.
Thanks replied, but am rather busy
and cannot very well 60
"'Sorry.' responded the inspector; Il am to
take Mr. Dickens along, and l took it for
granted that you would want to CO.
"'Charles Dickensr shouted. Is he really
going with you?
"'That is the arrangement said the in
spector. Can't you meet US at Bulls at LIP
''You may rest assured that l promised.
wrote several notes to my reporters, and
some minutes before IL | turned up at Bulls,
third rate restaurant on Oxford street. In
spector Davis and another gentleman had
just finished their supper. OF course, the
other gentleman was Mr.. Dickens. When
was introduced to him he drew me aside in a
pleasant way.
"'Newspaper manT he said Well, like
all newspaper men. ought to, you know,
for had q devil Of time myself as u re-
porter
81 made some sort Of an answer, but Mr..
Dickens went on to say:
"'After all. you newspaper men, you re-
porters, are the real novelists of the day.
Your realistic stories of the comedies and
tragedies of life cannot be surpassed
''Now is the time to catch en- said the
inspector, looking at his watch.
THE programme for the nigh t,embraced
ramble through some of the by streets be-
tween Holborn and Oxford streets Without
the inspector it would have been dangerous
trip. The first place we visited was a thieves
lodging house. Fully 100 men were stretched
On the floor, most of them asleep, but some
were wide awake One of tho dodgers seized
Mr. Dickens by the lapel Of his coat.
I'D your he growled, what do you
want heren
Ask me that question tomorrow and TIL
answer you,' said Mr. Dickens, with a laugh,
and he handed the fellow his card.
Rlast ay~Iair,aI tha
We'll, sir, you are among friends here.
say, Mr. Dickens, may l send out for some
ale or somethingr
No, we can't wait, replied the inspector,
we must visit other places, and you wouldn't
like to bother Mr. Dickens
"'Divil bit of itp exclaimed an Irish
man, who had overheard the conversation,
but | must shake hands wi you
After few more handshakes we left and
went out into purer atmosphere. A gin
palace stood in our way and a sudden thirst
svercame me.
"'Come in, boys said Mr. Dickens, If we
are going to make a night of it we must pre-
pare for it.
I'VE had jolly time inside Mr.. Dickens
chaffed the barmaids, aud they giggled like
anything. Inspector Davis, too, was at his
best But when be left, the inspector must
have whispered something, for one of the
barmaids ran after us and gave Mr. Dickens
a little flower, saying, oh, sir, you have
done so much for uSr
1.-The inspector nudged me, and thought
about 1T, and | am thinking about it yet.
AT one place Mr.. Dickens was in high
glee. He pointed out young fellow in q
tawdry suit of clothes, and asked US if he
was not regular Dick Swiveler, and the
man did seem to fill the bill exactly
'''There is Bill Syk es, he said at the last
place we visited, low cellar, in the very
worst quarter.
The man was the very picture Of Bill
Sykes, but he overheard Mr. Dickens, and
came forward in a belligerent way
STAND back therer said Inspector Davis
don't you know mer
~ know you answered the ruffian. but : |
am going 10 mash this fellows nose
Mr.. Dickens, this is Mr.. Chick DYKE
said the inspector. laughing
Not our Charles Dickensr exclaimed the /
other.
The same was the answer.
"Well. that Bill Sykes fellow almost |
Rugged Mr.. Dickens And they were all |
that way.
"Once Mr.. Dickens pulled out his purse. |
but the inspector stopped him. and promised |
to call il the daytime. He said that it was |
dangerous to show money In that quarter at |
night
In the last house we visited there was q |
little golden haired girl curled up in the arms !
OF an old man
"'Thore is little Nell broke out
You are right Mr.. Dickens answered, |
as he pressed my hand We must look after !
her tomorrow, and after seeing her we had |
better go. feel broken up
Il was glad TO get away and so was In
spector DAVIS. We went back to Oxford |
street and had a high old time at chop
house until the morning Mr. Dickens was
as jolly as man could be. He gave us nc
end OF good advice, and even approved of my
scheme or going TO the United States.
81 like those Americans. ne said: they