The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-03-28
The Internal Machine


atmosphere as fog.
Then It was Christmas eve. That
made it worse. The poor in London
0 ten fnd it hard enough to keep up
their spirits in spite OF cold. starva ion.
and neglect. Yet even to the most mis-
cradle and desperate of US all, the COM
motion that heralds Christmastide, the
busy going to and fro Of those with
money to buy, and the hearty display
on the part of those who have anything
at all to sell-all these are something to
see even if you haven't sixpence to buy
dinner with, or friend on earth to
greet with the Compliments of the
Season" But when King Fog blurs
and overshadows everything, the tenn
per Of tue unfortunate classes is severe
ly tried.
was very savage that night; savage
with myself. savage with my employ
ers, and savage most of all with my
miserable lot In life. Once on time
l was weIl-tO-dO householder, with
fourishing watch and clockmaker's
business. But after while things
went badly, somehow or other. and
suppose took more than was good for
me. At last the business broke up;
and then-but therel what's the use of
looking bacl2 | had now joined the
ranks Of the struggling and hopeless,
and it seemed hard that, hall-suffo-
Gated with fog, should be trudging the
grimy streets between Clerkenwell and
st. James with a heavyish weight to
carry on such night and at such a
season. while the rich and fortunate
were eating and drinking and enjoying
themselves more than was good for
them. Bah! 1t made my blood boil to
think Of It all. And yet l felt the JUS
tice Of 1t all. 1t was cause and effect.
AS we make our bed, so we must lie
upon it.
The fog grew so thick as l went
along that II who have been familiar
with every square yard Of London ever
since | can remember knowing any
thing came for a moment to a stand
still, and had to admit that | had lost
my way. / knew well enough how l
had cOme-Red Lion Square. High Hol-
born, Broad street and the Dials.
ought to be in Cranborne street or Lei
cester Square; but, for the life of me,
could not see two yards in front to
make sure.
Only with some difficulty did ascer-
tain that there were houses at three
PAGES distance. resolved to push on,
however, keeping my dsengaged hand
upon the walls and lintels and doors,
in order to have something substantial
to go by. Even this was awkward, and
my progress soon became slower than
ever. So thick was the fog, that with
my hand on u lamp post l literally
could not distinguish the flame of the
gas above me. Nevertheless, | STUN
bled onward In hope of meeting some
one to direct me. But no one came In
sight. | suppose had got into a slum
one Of those places where, they say, sc
many foreign desperadoes lie in hid
ing; and l was muIing on the evil re
pute of some of the back streets in the
most luxurious city In the world, wheI
all of a sudden | was roughly seized
and before had time to use my tongue
l was dragged within nelghboring
doorway. The door was Immediately
slammed. and ruthless hands hustled
me down dark passage and into q
back room. from which Il felt sure) II
was impossible to summon assistance
however loudly | employed my lungs
Happily 1 was not injured In any way
only greatly alarmed; and fortunately
had retained enough presence of mine
to hold tight the handle of the wooder
box which carried in my hand. II
had dropped 1t! Well, | would rather
not speculate upon what would have
happened If had dropped that box.
The room into which | had beer
thrust was lighted by u single gas jet
There was nothing about the apart
ment itself to suggest that my life was
In danger. for 1t was an ordina. Sitting
room. fitted up with something lik,
feminine care. But was very quickly
made to understand. by the men who
had dragged me into the house, tina
they were capable of anything in pur
suit of their object. There were only
two scoundrels present. though it hae
seemed as If a full score were takln:
me prisoner.
"NOww began one OF the DULLES. ,
cross-eyed. burly brute, standing be
tween me and the door.
"Well." | said. as he paused. TIL,
box l carried was rather heavy.
placed 1t cautiously upon the table il
the center of the room. and asked