, 1888-11-23
THE V%ENTRILOQUIST.

amusing scene OF y"entrlOQuiSm with
which that clever comedian, Toole, had
just been edifying us.
A journalist present c~omplimented him
somewhat ironically on what he called his
little society talents"
These same little talents, ;" said Toole,
in a grave tone, have sometimes a great
utility in life; do not despise them. An
infinitely small talent may save a world
OF trouble; nothing is unproductive here
below. Let me give you a simple illus
tration:
Some years ago l was passing ono
evening through Drury lane on my way
to the Gaiety theatre, where l was at that
time playing n role.
My attention was suddenly attracted
by a pathetic voice imploring charity. /
stopped and looked around me. The voice
proceeded from a misshapen being, APP.
parently a cripple, crouched in the corner
of IN archway leading into one of those
winding alleys SO numerous in this popu-
Ions quarter. His winter hair and beard
and his cracked voice indicated clearly
hat the beggar was an old man.
"A few pence for a poor old man, sir
said the tremulous voice. i am cold and
hungry-oh, so hungry I have eaten
nothing since yesterday
The sight of n young man, however
miserable he might have been, would not
nave moved me. Old cockneys like me
.nrc too well posted on all these borrow
ing schemes which flourish in our town,
but this decrepit old age and horrible de-
formity filed me with compassion.
What miseryP / exclaimed, gazing at
the old man. Is it possible that you are
condemned to begging at your age? Have
you no sons or d~aughtersf'
'Alasl yes, gentleman said the beg.
gar in a smothered tone, as if ashamed to
acknowledge the truth, but they nave
abandoned me-
" 1t is infamousp l added.
And l drew from my purse a half
crown.
l 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 themselves.
90 prefer to assist you more eff
fcrtively,' l remarked after an instant's
pause. You have a refuge somewhere?
A home? Where do you liver
Il expected to be enlightened as to the
commences of my beggar; the slightest
Hesitation on his part would have put me
on my guard at once.
Not over a quarter of a mile from
here, replied the cripple. L will take
you to my lodging, sir, if you like
The earnestness with which he re
sponded occurred to me after the advent
ure was over; at the time l laid no stress
upon it.
Very well, go ahead; will follow
answered.
THE beggar started off on his crutches,
dragging after him two stumps of legs,
and with a hundred protestatiens of graf
itudo made in a warm and fervent tone,
he rapidly along the muddy
and slippery sidewalk of Drury lane.
1T was a dismal London winter even.
ing. A thick, humid fog hung heavily
over the macadami2ed pavement. By the
duh, yellow light of the street lamps the
raSsers by have the aspect of phantoms.
From the doorstcps 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 out into the night,
In spite of my familiarity with the
dark sides of London life. / could not re.
press a thrill of inquietude, and | said to
myself 1t would not be pleasant to cross
this quarter of London in the dead OF
night.
Not but TINT We must acknowledge
our police is admirably organized, for, con
sidering the widespread misery and dogra
dation in London. it is only astonishing
that crimes are not twenty times as nu
merous as they are. But, despite thi
energy of the police, how many a blacl
deed restS hidden, buried forever in tn
slums of our great town.
During these reflections, little reas
suring as they were, | gazed after m,
guide. Decidedly it was a poor devil
that ] no longer doubted. | was on tn
point of stopping him and sending hin
on his way with a few shillings. / wa
almost ashamed of my suspicious. Blu
with n skill undoubtedly acquired by LON
years of exercise, the beggar advanced
very rapidly, turning from time 10 tim
TO make sure that | was following.
At length we crossed Covent Garder
market aud Long Acre, and entered tina
hideous quarter which you all know
Seven Dials. The adventure commence,
to only half way please me.
Are We far from your room stillt'
asked, catching up with the beggar.
haven't much time to spare
AS l spoke | drew out my watch, a,
excellent chronometer of Dents, of con
siderable value. Looking suddenly up
surprised an ugly, covetous glance be
meath the beggar's bushy eyebrows.
Oh, hor said to myself, that's
mighty young eye for an old man
My suspicious returned with tripl
force; but often our paltry pride over
rules our better judgment. Moreover
with the Seven Dials quarter had returne
the hustle and noise of London life
Laughs and shouts greeted us on all side
from the public houses and barrooms O
the neighborhood.
II determined to push the adventure t
its end, the more SO as my companion noN
turned to me and said in his cracked ia
tering tones:
Here is my home, gentleman Il
slipped through the half open door of
dilapidated building and started up
rickety staircase with the agility 1 ha
before remarked. l had difficulty in TO
lowing him in the nauseating obscurity
The smart tap of his crutches founded o
the steps and served as my guide.
cat the third story the old begga
stopped; | heard him feeling about in tn
dark, then came the sound of a key turn
inr in n lock