Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-30

fees: therefore I was alone, and, going
easily. found fully enough to occupy my
attention in the business and incredible
stir of the town. thought then and think
still that nowhere in the world Is there
such place for an idle man as London;
where else has he spread for him so con-
tinua1 a tnquet Of contemplation; where
else are such comedies played every hour for
his eyes delight? 1t is well enough 20 look
at a running river, or to gaze at such
mighty mountains as 1 saw when l jour-
Keyed many years later into Italy, but the
mountain moves not and the stream runs
always with the same motion and in it's
wonted channel Give me these for nay
age, but to a young man great CITY is
queen of ALL
So 1 was thinking I walked along; or
so think now that I must have thought;
for In writing of his youth it is hard for
a man to be sure that he does not transfer
to that golden page some of the quieter
characters which later years print on
his mind. Perhaps I thought Of nothing at
all, save that this man here was fine fell
low, that girl there pretty wencn, that
my coat became me well, and my wounded
arm gave me Interesting air. Be my
Rleditations what they might, they were
suddenly INTERRUPTED by the sight of a
crowd IN the lane near the Cock and Pie
Tavern Here fifty or sixty men and wo-
men. decent folks some, others porters,
fewer girls and such like, were gathered in
a circle round man who was pouring out
an Grafton or sermon with great zeal and
yehemence. Having drawn nearer, I paus-
ed out of a curiosity which turned to
amusement when 1 discovered in the
preacher my good friend Phineas Tate,
with whom 1 had talked the evening be-
fore. II seemed that he had set about his
task without delay. and If London was
still unmindful of its sins. the fault was
not to lie a Mr.. Tate's door. On he plung-
ed. sparing neither great nor small; If the
court were sinful, was Drury lane; If
CastlemaiEe Che dealt freely in names and
most sparingly in titles of courtesy were
hat ha -1x ~ ~f
the women about him was not the same?
How did they differ from their betters, IN
less it were that their price not
high, and In what. save audacity, were
they behind Eleanor Gwyn. He hurled this
last name forth as though it marked a
climax of iniquity, and start ran through
me as l heard it thus treated. Strange to
say, something of the effect seemed to be
produced on his other hearers. Hitherto
they had listened with good-natured tOler-
ance, winking at one another, laughing
when the preachers finger pointed at 4
neighbor, struggling comfortable shoulders
when it turned against themselves. They
are long suffering under abuse, the folks
of London; you may say much what you
will. provided you allow them TO do what
they will, and they support the tmputa-
ton of unrighteousness with marvellous
compoSure, as long as no man takes 1t in
a hand to force them to Righteousness. As
they are now they were then, though many
charges have passed over the country and
the times; will they be, although more
tt transformations come.
But, as l say. this last name stirred them
to new mood. Friend Phine1s perceived
the effect that he had made. but set a
wrong meaning on It. Taking 1t as ground
for encouragement he loosed his tongue yet
more outra geously. and so battered the I'M
happy subject of his censures that my ears
tingled. and suddenly 1 strobe quickly up
to the group. intent on silencing him, but
great, brawny porter, with dirty red face
was beforehand with me. Elbowing his
way irresistbly through The rank, he set
himself squarely before Phineas and, wag-
ging his head significantly enough, growied
out.
Say what you will of Castlemaine and
the rest, Master Ranter. but keep your
tongue off Nelly"
A murmur of applause ran round. They
knew Nelly; here in the lane was her
kingdom.
Let Nelly alone" said the porter. "lf
you value whole bones, master"
Phineas was coward, and threats
served only to fan the flame Of mis- zeal. 1
had started to stop his mouth. 1t seemed
likely that must employ myself in saving
his head. His lean frame would crack and
break in the grasp of his mighty asSailant
and 1 was loath that the fool should come
to harm. so 1 began to push my way
through toward the pair, and arrived just
as Phineas. having launched most pointed
dart. was about to pay for his too great
skill with a blow from the port ar's mutton
fist. 1 caught the fellows arm ~ he raised
IL. and he turned fercely me- growing,
Are you his friend, them"
Not l." I answered. But you'd kill
him, man."
Let him heed what he says, them. Kill
him. Aye, and spare him readily
The affair looked awkward enough for
the feeling was all one way, and could
do little to hinder any violence. A girl in
the crowd reminded me of my heIplessness,
touching my wounded arm lightly and say
ing, Are you hungry for more fighting
sir?'
Hes mad man. said I. Let him
alone. Who heeds what he says?'
Friend Phineas did not take my defense
in good part.
Mad, am I?'' he roared, beating with