The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-01-10
miscellaneous.
The VentrilOQuist.

Their one evening, laughing over the amusing
scenes of ventriloquism, with which the clever
comedian Toole had just been edifying US.
journalist present complimented him
somewhat ironically on what lie called his
"lntle society talents"
These same little talents" 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 unproductive here below. Let me
give you simple illustration:
"Some years ago was passing one even
ing through Drury lane on my way to the
Gaiety theatre, where was at that time play
ing a role.
"My attention was suddenly attracted by
pathetic voice imploring charity. | stop
ped and looked around me. The voice pro-
ceeded from mshappen being, apparently
cripple, crouched in the corner of an arch
way leading into one of those winding alleys
SO numerous in this populous quarter. His
white hair and beard and his cracked voice
indicated clearly that the beggar was an old
man.
"a few pence for poor old man, sill"
said the tremulOus voice: i am cold and
hungry-oh, so hungry! have eaten moth
ing since yesterday
"The sight of young man, however mis-
cradle he might have been, would not have
moved me. Old cockneys like me are too
well posted on all these borrowing schemes
which flourish in our town, but this decrepit
old age and horrible deformity filed me with
compassion.
"What misery p exclaimed, gazing at the
old man. is it possible that your are con-
demned to begging at your age? Have you
no sons or daughters 2
"'Alas. yes, gentleman, replied the beggar
in smothered tone, as if ashamed to &C
knowledge the truth, but they have aban-
doned me-
alt is Infamous | added.
"And | drew from my purse half crown.
Gas handed it toward the baggar my Gus
tomary suspicion seized me. Perhaps after
all it was a made-up cripple. We actors are
not the only ones who know how to dis
guse themselves in London.
81 prefer to assist you more effectively"
1 remarked, after an lnstant's pause. you
nave refuge somewhere A home ,? Where
do you live?
"Iexpected 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.
mot over Il quarter of a mile from here,
replied the cripple. i will lake you to my
lodging, sir, if you like
occurred to me after the adventure was over
at the time laid no stress upon it.
livery well go ahead; will follow, l
answered.
"The beggar started off on his crutches,
drag gng after him two stumps oflegs, and
with hundred protestatiOns of gratitude
made in a warm and fervent tone, he maneu-
vered rapidly along the muddy and slippery
sidewalk of Drury lane.
at was dismal Londan winter evening.
A thick, humid fog hung heavily over the
macadamized pavement, By the dull yellow
| light of the street lamps the passers-by took
on the aspect of phantoms.
From the door steps and windows of the
| miserable houses in the alleys and courts
through which we passed, cut Threats and
gaunt, pallid faces gazed out upon US, and
| wolfish eyes glared out into the night.
"In spite of my familiarity with the dark
| sides of London liteI could not repress 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 force is admirably organized, for, con-
sidering the wide spread misery and degrade
ton 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 black deeds rest hidden
buried forever in the slums of our great town!
During these reflections, little reassuring
as they were, / gazed after my guide. Decd
edy it was poor devil; that l no longer
| doubted. | was on the point of stopping him
and sending him on his way with few shil-
| ings. Twas almost ashamed of my suspi-
cious But with skill undoubtedly acquired
| by long years of exercise the beggar advanc-
ed very rapidly, turning from time to time to
make sure that | was following.
"At length we crossed Covent Garden
market and Long Acre and entered that
hideous quarter which you all know-Seven
Dials. The adventure commenced TO only
halfway please me.
"Are we far from your room still?' ask
ed, catching up with the beggar. Haven't
much time to spare
"sAs spoke drew out my watch, an ex-
cellent chronometer of Dents, of considera-
BILE value. Looking suddenly up surprised
an ugly, covetous glance beneath the beg
CARS bushy eyebrows.
"'Oh, no 4! said to myself, that's nigh
ty young eye for an old man. s....
my suspicious re urned with triple force
but often our paltry pride overrules our bet
ter alignment. 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
II determined to push the adventure to its
end, the more so as my companion now turn
ed TO me and said, in his cracked faltering
| tones: ...#
"'Here is my home, gentleman He slip
ped through the half-open door ola dilapidat-
ed building and started up rickety staircase
with the agility l had before remarked.
had difficulty in following him in the nauseat-
ing obscurity. The smart tap of his crutches
sounded on the steps and served as my guide.
AT the third story the old beggar stopped.
| | heard him feeling about in the dark; then
came the sound of key turning in lock.
"tOne moment, my good gentleman, said
the trembling voice 4 will light candle
"Some seconds passed; then the dismal
glimmer of a tallow candle lit up room
which struck me as tolerably spacious
"The beggar had slipped behind me, and
now heard the sharp click of the key in the
lock.
81 expected to find sordid, miserable hole
fitted out with broken stool and bundle
of straw in the corner for a bed; instead oil
which the room was furnished with a certain
degree of luxury, and the floor was covered
with rich carpet.
'"What does this mean p asked in stupor
You Lave deceived me!
Il turned towards the door. The old man
had vanished a man in the vigor of life, q
white wig in his hand, his face covered with
pencled wrinkles, looked up at me and
laughed.
"'You look surprised he said, in mock
ing tone. There are miracles still in, oul
days, yousee My good legs have come back
to me, and my crulches-look therep
"He pointed towards the corner near the
door.
"'Well, what do you want OF me H"I asked
resolutely enough.