Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1889-01-05
THE vENTRTL0QUIST.

toe COalhOle, IN London, we were gath
cred together one evening, laughing over
the amusing scenes of ventriloquism
with which that clever comedian Toolo
had just been cdirying us
A journalist present complimented him
somewhat ironically on what he called
his little society talents"
These same little talents,n said
Toole in grave tone, have sometimes
great utility in life: do not despise
them. An infinitely small talent may
save world of trouble; nothing is un-
productive here below. Let me give you
simple illustration:
Some years ago I was passing one
evening through Drury lane on my way
20 the Gaiety theater, where / was an
shat time playing a role.
My attention was suddenly attracted
BY pathetic voice imploring charity.
! stopped and looked around me. The
voice proceeded from misshappen being.
apparently a cripple, crouched in the
corner of an archway leading into ono
,f those winding alleys so numerous in
his populous quarter. His white hair
and beard and his cracked voice in--
dicated clearly that the beggar was an
old man.
A few pence for a poor old man,
sir. said the tremulous voice: / an
cold and hungry-oh, so hungry ]
have eaten nothing since yesterday
The sight of a young man, howeve,
miserable he might have been, would
not have moved me. Old cockneys like
me are too we'll posted on all these bor-
rowing schemes which flourish in our
town, but this decrepit old age and hor
rible deformity filed me with compass
sion.
What miseryi" I exclaimed, gazing
at the old man. Is it possible that you
are condemned to begging at your age
Have you no sons or daughters
Alas, yes, gentleman replied the
beggar in smothered tone, rs if ashamed
to acknowledge the truth, but they have
abandoned me-
1T is infamousl' 1 added
And / drew from my purse q half
crown.
As I handed it toward the beggar
my customary suspicious seized me.
Perhaps after all it was made-up Grip
pie. We actors are not the only ones
who know how to disguise themselves
in London.
a'I prefer to assist you more effect
ively,' remarked, after an instant's
pause. You have refuge somewhere
home? Where do yon live?'
l expected now to be enlightened as
to the genuineness of my beggar; the
slightest hesitation on his part would
have put me on my guard at once.
Not over quarter of a 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 / laid no
stress upon it.
Very well go ahead; I will fol-
low / answered.
THE beggar started off on his
crutches, dragging after him two stumps
of legs. and with hundred protesta-
tions of gratitude made in warm and
fervent tone, he Unanswered rapidly
along the muddy and slippery sidewalk
of Drury lane.
1t was dismal London winter
evening. A thick, humid fog hung
heavily over the macadamiZed pavement.
By the dull, yellow light of the street
lamps the passersby look on the aspect
of phantoms
From the doorsteps and windows Of
the miserable houses in the alleys and
courts through which we passed, gaunt,
pallld faces gaZed out upon us, and cut
throat and wolfish eyes glared out into
the night.
In spite of my familiarity with the
dark sides Of London life / could not
repress thrill of inquietude, and I said
to myself it would not be pleasant to
cross this quarter of London in the dead
of night.
Not but that we must Acknowledges
our public force is admirably organized.
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. de-
spite this energy of the police, how many
black deeds rest hidden, buried for
ever in the slums of eur great town.
During these reflections, little reas-
guide Decidedly it was a poor devil;
that no longer doubted. 1 was on the
point of stopping him an sending him on
his way with few shillings. I was
almost ashamed of my suspicious But
with skill undoubtedly acquired by
long years of exercise the beggar adj
vanced very rapidly, turning from time
to time to make sure that was follow
:" At length we crossed Covent Gar
den market and Long Acre and entered
that hideous quarter which You all
lnow-Seven Dials. The adventure
commenced to only halfway please me.
Are we far from your room still P
| asked, catching up with the beggar
/ haven't much time 60 spare
As spoke drew out my watch, an
excellent chronometer Ga Dents of con-
siderable value. Looking suddenly up I
surprised an ugly, covetous glance be-
meath the beggar's bushy eyebrows.
90 Oh. HOP 1 said TO myself that's 9
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 re-
turned the hustle and noise of London
life. Laughs and shouts greeted us on al,
sides from the public houses and bar
rooms Of the neighborhood.
determined to push the adventure
to its end, the more so as my companion
now turned to me and said, in his cracked
faltering tones:
Here is nv home. gentleman +
He slipped through the half-open door OF
dilapidated building and started up n