The morning news., 1894-10-21

noticed that a grave yet lightsome smile
of reminiscence had fallen upon the face
Of the Clerical Traveller. We knew his
moods and little by little our discursive
chatter was stilled. and we had not long
10 wait for this pleasant memory of his
youthtide days.
I think never saw in print and GER
tainly never heard discussed. the pecu-
liar feeling which is experienced in see
ing or hearing spoken ones own name.
when it is possessed by another person; or
the stiH more inexplicabIe emotions OF
interest and affinity which flash into ones
mind and heart. despite all mental pro-
test, when one is confronted by another
human being, of whose existence there
has been no previous knowledge. and
whose right to your own name can no
more be disputed than yours to his.
once had such an experience, and
series of almost romantic incidents grew
out of it,
While an undergraduate at Oxford,
often ran down to London, often with no
better defined purpose than of shaking Off
the gloomy and austere environment of
scholastic life.
MY home while in the city was at a Ger
tain almost historic tavern, in the BUST
ling neighborhood of Covent Garden;
and having in those days a liking FOR
studies of lowIy London life, 1 soon form
ed more than an ordinary attachment for
the stalwart night porter Of the ancient
inn where / lodged.
Aside from his splendid physical pro-
portions and complete and unconscious
dauntlessness, two qualities rendering his
services particularly valuable where thou
sands of costermongers, cartmen, mar
letnen farmers, green grocers' lads ana
brawny market porters were all hlghI
long and away into the morning cohlin-
llally breaking out into hurry burly morse
play. which often developed serious an
novance to coming and going guests
his frank righteousness and hearty ways
had completely won my affection.
At all hours Of the night l would linger
near him in the tavern entrance, hsteIllhs
TO his tales of London life, naively ana en-
engagingly told his broad northern accent
noting his frank yet canny treatment OF
the late arrivals at the inn, or watching
with the keenest interest his deXtrous
handling of the wild market mobs Whlch
now and then surged viciously IN upon the
area railings and the entrance to where
he sat or stood.
evidently with bad blood between them
while passing with their burdens from the
market stalls to the green grocers Was-
ons. which are always closely Jammed IN
separate lines from Covent Garueh
through the by-streets. away around into
the Strand, almost to Waterloo bridge TO
the east and to Trafalgar square TO the
west. met on the crowded walk immedi-
atey before US
In an instant there were fierce blows and
n cheering mob hemming the combatants
in. The two clinched desperately, and IN
their struggles finally plunged up the
pavement and steps, and fell squarely
against us. Then l saw the most extra
ordinary exhibition of physical power
had ever witnessed.
NV porter friend parted the maddened
mob as though they had been blades OF
grass; lifted one over my head ana set
him safely behind the oaken tavern door,
and then apparently without effort, htted
the other entirely over the nearest line of
carts and dropped him gently on the other
side: thus as effectuauy separating the
brawlers as though the Thames We're
flowing between them. For moment the
market mob was silent. Then hearty
cheer of approval followed and trailing
out of this ] heard a gigantic and ruflan-
ly coster hoarsely eXclaim:
Strike me lucky! Bob Dorklin, yer
ekal aren't { be found in Witechapel nor
vet in Shor ditch-Gor bh me, so zee
aren't"
Then for the first time 1 knew that my
porter friend. whom 1 had always accos-
ted as bob" and who had never ad-
dressed me other than as Sir bore my
own name.
Singularly. too, for moment there was
a sense of family pride in his quiet ana
splendid performance. If l honestly con-
fessed my feelings at the time, ! would
even have to admit that the spontaneous
admiration of the marketman. carried on
through this quick recognition of possible
affinity and the surprising coincidence or
names. to a momentary self-appropria-
yf no oh s
plaudits.
Yet. weakly and unfairly. gave Robert
no return cause for satisfaction and graf
ulation, in the disclosure of my own
Christian and surname, and selt1shly en-
loved the strange feeling to which l have
already referred.
He knew no more of me than that l was
a young gentleman studying at Oxford
and destined for the church 1 knew him
then only as I have related; but l was
gradually learned that he was from the
north, and had been drawn to the great
city as hundreds of thousands other sim
pie souls are drawn, by the common hu-
man impulse of gain
In time, as our friendship increased, his
simple story, or I might more truly say
its simplest outlines, were gradually dis
closed.
He had been betrothed to some rustic
maiden whose parents had nagged her
his poverty and thriftlessness. Thereup-
on he had disappeared from his kith and
kin and had come to London town with
the inexorable determination of gaining a
little fortune with which to return to his
native shire and conquer all opposition.
''Ill show EN-, sir!" was quite the ex-
tent of his expressed resolve; but could
see that there was the stern grain Of the
north behind the honest fellows purpose
Don't wait TOO long, Bob;' ] would an
swer kim. touched by the thought Of how
fruitless delay might shape his long-de-
ferred triumph. 7 also asked him now
long he thought he must toll and slave.
TIL two hunnerd pound be saved he
answered quietly. "A lads no man yon,
lest he's a bit O. land. I'll ha' tn bit, next
hers, or neer 20 back!
What ~ she were then already mar
Tied, Bob?"
His great gray eyes misted a trife; but
ne replied in a moment almost solemnlN
"Wel, sir. ] tow'd she W at as / would
do" Here he struck one huge fist into
the palm Of the other hand. "rhen the
bit O land may rot sir, an a. that be near
~. III COON back T. Luunon"
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