San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-31

infinitely small talent may save world
of trouble; nothing is unproductive here
below. Let ME give you single Illus
tration.
"Some years ago was passing one
evening through Drury lane on my way
to the Gaiety theater, where was at
that time playing role.
MY attention was suddenly attracted
by pathetic voice imploring charity. |
stopped anl looked around me- The
voice proceeded from misshapen being,
apparently cripple, crouched in the
corner of an archway leading into one Of
these winding alleys so numerous in this
popular quarter His white hair and
beard and cracked voice indicated clear
ly that the baggar was an old man.
ga few pence for a poor man, sir
said the trernulous voice; Il am cold and
hungry-oh, so hungry! have eaten
nothing since yesterday.
THE sight of a young man, however
miserable he might have been. would
not have moved me. Old cockneys like
me are too well posted on all these bor-
rowing schemes which flourish in our
town, but this decrepit old age and hor-
rible deforlnity filled me with compass
sion.
"'What miseryr exclaimed, gazing
at the old man. is it possible that you
are condemned to begging at your age?
Have you no sons nor daughters
"'Alas! yes, gentleman. replied the
beggar in smothered tone, as if ashamed
to acknowledge the truth, but they have
abandoned me.
at is infamousr added.
81 drew from my pocket half crown.
LAS handed it toward the beggar my
customary suspicious seized me. Per-
haps it was after all made up cripple
We actors are not the only ones who
know how to disguise ourselves in Lon
don.
81 prefer to assist you more effective
ly,' remarked, after an instants pause
"'You have a refuge somewhere? A
home? Where do you liveT
81 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 a quarter of mile from
here replied the cripple. 4 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.
Every WE'LL go ahead; | will follow
I answered.
"The beggar started off on his crutches,
dragging after him two stumps of legs,
and with hundred protestations of
gratitude, made in a warm and fervent
tone, he maneuvered rapidly along the
muddy and slippery sidewalk of Drury
lane.
ut was dismal London winter even
ing 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 phan-
toms.
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 out into the night.
mot but that we must acknowledge
our police force is admirably organized,
for, considering the widespread misery
and degradation in London, it is only as
tonishing that crimes are not twenty
times as numerous 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 reas-
surfing as they were, | gazed after my
guide. Decidedly it was 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 skill undoubtedly acquired by
long years of exercise, the beggar adj
yanced very rapidly, turning from time
to time to make sure that ! was follow
ing.
cat last we crossed Covent Garden
market and Long Acre and entered that
hideous quarter which you all know
Seven Dlals. The adventure commenced
to only half please me-
care we far front your room stillY
asked, catching up with the beggar. 4
haven't mich 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 beggar's bushy eyebrows.
ION. ho!'' said to myself, that's a
mighty young eye for an old man
my suspicious returned with triple
force; but often our paltry pride over
rules our better Judgment Moreover.