The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-29
TIE VENTRIL0QUIST.


somewhat ironically on what he called his
little society talents.
These same little talents. ." said Toole,
in a grave tone. "havs sometimes a great
utility in life, DO not dcspise them An
infinitely small talent may save world
OF trouble. nothing is unproducti'e here
below Let me give you n simple illus.
tration.
Some years ago was passing one
evening through Drury lane on my way
to the Gaiety theatre. where was az that
time playing a role.
NY attention was suddenly attracted
by pathetic voice imploring charity /
stopped and looked around me. The voice
proceeded from a msshapen being, ap-
parently a cripple. crouched in the corner
of an archway leading into one Of those
winding alleys so numerous in this popu.
lous quarter His whittier hair and beard
and his cracked voice indicated clearly
that tho bcggar was an old man.
A few pence for poor old man, sir,
said the tremulous voice ! am cold and
hungry-oh. so hungry | have eaten
nothing since Yesterday.
The sight of toung man, however
miserable he might have been. would not
have moved me- Old cockneys like me
are too we'll posted on all these borrow
ing schemes which flourish in our town,
but this decrepit old age and horrible de-
fo-mity filed me with compassion.
What misery exclaimed. gazing at
tho old man Is it possible that you are
condemned 10 begging at your ageg Have
you no sons or daughters
Alas yes. gentleman. said the beg
gar in a smothered tone. as il ashamed TO
acknowledge the truth. but they have
abandoned me
1t is infamous added.
And | drew from ny purse half
crown.
AS handed It toward the beggar my
customary suspicious seized me Perhaps,
after all. IL was made up cripple. We
actors are not the only ones who know
how 20 disguise themselves.
81 prefer to assist you more Of
fectively, ! remarked after an instant's
pause. 'You have a refuge somewhere!
4 home? Where DO You live
Il expected TO be enlightened as to the
commences Of my beggsr; the slightest
hesitation on his part would have put me
on my guard at once.
Not over quarter Of mile from
here. replied the Ipple. 1 will take
you 20 my lodging Sir, If you like.
The earnestness with which he re-
sponded occurred TO me after the advent
uro was over. AZ the time laid 10 stress
upon II.
Very well, go ahead; I will follow. I
answered
The beggar started of on his crutches
dragging after him two stumps OF legs,
and with a hundred protestatiors Of graf
itude made in warm and fervent tone.
he uncovered rapidly along the muddy
and slippery sidewalk Of Drury lane
1T was dismal London winter even
ing a thick. humid fog hung heavily
over the macadamized pavement. BY the
dali. yellow light Of the street lamps the
passers by have the aspect Of phantoms
From the doorsteps and windows of
the miserable houses in the alleys and
courts through which we passed gaunt,
pallid faces gazed out upon US. and cut
throat countenances with wolfsh eyes
glared OFT into the night.
In spite Of my familiarity with the
dark sides Of London life. could rot re
press a thrill of inquietude, and said TO
myself It would not be pleasant to cross
this quarter of London in the dead Of
night.
Not but. that We must acknowledge
our police is admirably organized. for. con
s.lcring the widespread misery and degra-
dation in London. it is only astonishing
that crimes are not twenty times as nu-
1nerous as they are. But despite this
energy Of the police, how many black
deed rests hidden. buried forever in the
slums Of our great town.
During these reflections. little rcas-
suring as they We're, gazed after my
guide. Decidedly it was a poor devil;
that | no longer doubted. was on the
point Of stopping him and sending him
On his way with few shillings | was
almost ashamed Of my suspicious. But
with a ski; undoubtedly acquired By long
years Of exercise. the beggar advanced
very rapidly. turning from time 20 time
to make sure that was following.
AT length we crossed Covent Garden
market aud Long Acre and entered that
hideous quarter which you all know
Seven Dials The adventure commenced
TO only half way please me.
"'Are we far from your room stillT |
asked, catching up with the beggar. i
haven't Eluch time to spare.
las spoke drew out my watch, an
excellent chronometer OF Dents, of con-
siderable value. Looking suddenly up
surprised an Ugly, covetous glance be-
meath the beggars bushy eyebrows.
''Oh, hol | said TO myself, that's 2
mighty young eye for an old man.
my suspicious returned with triple
force; but often our paltry pride over
rules our better judgment. Moreover,
with the Seven Dials quarter had returned
the hustle and noise of London life
Laughs and shouts greeted us on all sides
from the public houses and barrooms OF
the neighborhood.
Il determined to push the adventure 70
its end, the more so as my companion now
turned 10 NE and said in his cracked tal-
tering tones:
Here is my home. gentleman He
slipped through the half open door Of
dilapidated building and started up a
rickety staircase with the agility | had
before remarked. had difficulty in fol-
lowing him in the rauseating obscurity.
The smart tap Of his crutches sounded on
the steps and servec as my guide.
IL