The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-10-13
THE VENTRILOQUIST.

Down at the famous Strand tavern;
the Coalhole, in London; we were
gathered together one 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 c6mplimented
him somewhat ironically On what he
called his ''little society talents"
"These same little talents " said
Toole in a grave tone, shave some
times a great utility in life; do not
despise them. An infinitely small
talent may save d world of trouble;
nothing is unproductive here below.
Let me give you asimple illustration:
"Some years ago was passing one
evening through Drury lane on my
way to the Gaiety theater, where l
was at that time playing a role.
"My attention was suddenly at
tracted by pathetic voiceimploring
charity. 1 stopped andlooked 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
ly that the beggar was an old man.
ga few pense for a poor old man,
SIR" said the tremulous voice: 4 am
cold and hungry-oh, so hungryl /
have eaten nothing since. yesterday.
''The sight of a young man, how
ever miserable he might have been,
would not have moved 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 detormity filled
me with compassion.
"'What miseryl' Exclaimed, gaz-
ing at the old man. lis 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 il
ashamed to acknowledge the truth,
but they have abandoned me-
1T is infamous" padded.
Sand drew from my purse a half
crown.
GAS 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.
81 prefer to assist you more effec-
lively remarked, after an instant's
pause. You have a refuge some.
where? A home? Where do youlive?'
~ 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 a mile
from here replied the cripple. 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 l laid
no stress upon it.
"'Very WE'LL go ahead; will follow,
/ answered.
'"The beggar started off on hii
clutches, dragging after him two
stumps of legs, and with hundred
protestations ofgratitude made in
O warm and fervent tone, he man
auvered rapidly along the muddy
and slippery sidewalk of Drury lane
"It was q dismal London winter
evening. A thick, humid fog hung
heavily over the macadamized pave.
ment. By the dull, yellow light o
the street lamps the passers-by lool
on the aspect of phantoms.
"From the doorsteps and tn,
windows of the miserable houses il
the alleys and courts through which
we passed, gaunt, pallid faces gazet
out upon us, and cut-throat counter
ances with wolfish eyes glared out
into the night.
'sIn spite of my familiarity with tn
dark sides of London life, could mo-
repress a thrill of inquietude, and
said to myself 1t would not be pleas
ant to cross this quarter of Londol
in the dead of night.
Not but that we must acknowledg
our police force is admirably organi
zed, for, considering the widespread
misery and degradation in London
it is only astonishing that crimes art
not twenty times as numerous a
they are. But, despite this energ.
of the police, how many black dee
rests hidden, buried forever in tn
slums of our great town.
During these reflections, little re
assuring as they were, / gazed afte
my guide. Decidedly it was a poo
devil; that no longer doubted.
was on the point ofstopping him an
sending him on his way with fe'
shillings. Twas almost ashamed {
my suspicious. But with skill III
doubtedly acquired by long years {
exercise the beggar advanced yer
rapidly, turning from time to tim
to make sure that / was following.
"At length we crossed Covent Gal
den market and Long Acre and Ell
tered that hideous quarter which 20
all know-Seven Dials. The &C
venture commenced to only half-wa
pleaseme.
"'Are we far from your room still
l asked, catching up with the beggal
4 haven't much time to spare.
GAS l spoke drew out my watcf
an excellent chronometer of Dent'l
of considerable value. Looking sue
denly up surprised an ugly, covet
Gus glance beneath the beggar'
bushy eyebrows.
"'Oh, hol' said to myself, that
a mighty young eye for an old man
'My suspicious returned with trip
force; but often our paltry prid
overrules our better judgment. Nor
over, with the Seven Dials quartz
had returned the hustle and noise {
London life. Laughs and shout
| oroofod I,a IN all sidoa from the mil