New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-08-22
THE VENTRILOOUIST.


the Coalhole, in London. we were
gathered together evening, laugh
ing over the amusing scenes of ven
triloquism with which that clever
comedian Toole had just been edify-
ing us.
A journalist present complimented
him somewhat ironically on what he
called his little society talents
These same little talents = said
Toole in a grave tone, ahaye some
times a great utility in life; do not
despise them. An infinitely small
talent may save a world of trouble;
nothing is productive here below.
Let me giVeyou a simple Illustration:
sSome years ago I was passing one
evening through Drury lane on my
way to the Gaiety theater, where I
was at that time playing arole.
My attention was suddenly at
tracted by pathetic voice imploring
charity. I stopped and looked around
me. The voice proceeded from mis-
happen being, apparently a cripple,
crouched in the corner of an archway
leading into one of those winding
alleys SO numerous in this popular
quarter. His white hair and beard
and his cracked voice Indicated clear
~ that the beggar was an old man.
9 "a few pense for a poor old man,
sir, 8 said the tremulous voice: i am
cold and hungry-oh, SO hungry! I
have eaten nothing since yesterday
s"The sight of a young man, how
ever miserable he might have been,
would not havemoyed me. Old cock
neys Like me are too well posted on
all these borrowing schemes which
flourish in our town, but this decrepit
old age and horrible deformity flied
me with compassion.
What niseryp Exclaimed, gaz-
ing at the old man. Us it possible
that you are condemned to begging
at your age? Have you no sons or
| daughters?
Alasl yes, gentleman, replied the
beggar in a smothered tone, as if
ashamed to acknowledge the truth,
but they have abandoned me-
1t is infamous!o I.added.
"And drew from my purse half
crown.
AS [ handed it toward the beggar
my customary suspicious seized me.
Perhaps after all it was a made-up
cripple. We actors are not the only
ones who know how to disguise them
selves in London.
l prefer to assist you more effec-
| lively | remarked, after an instant's
pause. You have a refuge some
where? A home? Where do you liver
| Il expected now to be enlightened
as to the genuiness of my beggar;
the slightest hesitation on his part
would have put me on my guard at
| once.
| "'Not over a quarter OF mile
from here, replied the cripple. I will
take you to my lodging, sir, if you
like
The earnestness with which he re
| sponded occurred to me after the ad-
| venture was over; at the time I laid
no stress upon it.
| Very well! go ahead; will follow,
/ answered.
''Fhe beggar started off on his
clutches, dragging; after him two
stumps of legs, and with hundred
| protestations of gratitude made in
a warm and fervent tone, he man
auyered rapidly along the muddy
and slippery sidewalk ofDrury lane.
1t was a dismal London winter
evening. A thick, humid fog hung
heavily over the macada1nized pave
ment. By the dull, yellow light Of
the street lamps the pass ers-by look
on the aspect of phantoms.
"From the doorsteps and the
windows of the miserable houses in
the alleys and courts through which
we passed, gaunt, pallid faces gazed
out upon us, and cut-throat counter
ances with Wolfsh eyes glared out
into the night.
I'm spite of my familiarity with the
dark sides ofLondon life, I could not
repress a thrill Of inquietude, and
said to myself it would not be pleas
ant to cross this quarter of London
In the dead of night.
| Not but that we must acknowledge
our police force is admirably organi-
zed, for, considering the widespread
misery and degradation in London,
it is only astonishing that crimes are
not twenty times as numerous as
they are. But, despite this energy
OF the police, how many a black deed
rests hidden, buried forever in the
slums of our great town!
During these reflections, little re-
assuring as they were, I gazed after
my guide. Decidedly it was poor
devil; that no longer doubted.
was on the point ofstopping him and
sending him on his way with a few
shillings. I was almost ashamed OF
my suspicious. But with a skill I'm.
doubleday acquired by long years Of
exercise the beggar advanced very
rapidly, turning from time to time
| to make sure that I was folloWino.