A London Adventure:

Peter Funk sold me a Avatch , though I saAv Avhat he had clone in a few moments after-Avard , ancl Avent into the next place where Avatches Avere being slaughtered , and advised the innocent bidders statiding about (!) not to purchase , as things Avere

not Avhat they seemed , ancl privately showed some of them my oivn timekeeper ! And in A'ery recent years , during a halfhour ' s Avalk on Broadway , I have had at least three long-forgotten acquaintances rush up to me with extended hand ancl

hearty exclamations of surprise ancl delight . But on these occasions I have ahvays been able to command Bret Hart ' s famous smile , which I have found as effective as a policeman ' s badge . The London confidence-man found me

one night at a public place of amusement , ancl , of course , knew me at a glance . He ivas a German ( my A'isor always goes up when I see a German ) , and Avas a curious spectator of things in ancl about London , like myself , and expected soon to visit America . I hardly know how ive got

acquainted . I think some incident in the croAvd , as we stood near each other in the area , caused us to exchange glances and then remarks . He evidently " took to me at once . Travellers are quick to know travellersand always find themselves in

, sympathy ; they are in one boat , while the stay-at-home world is in another . AVe were soon exchanging notes about London ancl other matters , and after the performance was over , walked out of the theatre together . We Avere a good deal jostled by

the croAvd , but an empty pocket is never afraid of being picked , and the frail creature Avho did her share of the jostling , and who declared we looked enough alike to be brothers , played her part well but to little purpose . AA e did not separate till

we had exchanged cards , and my delightful German had made some inquiries about my hotel , he ivas not suited ivhorc ho was , and was on the lookout for a chnnce to improve his quarters , aud as ho had an especial liking for Americans— "they were so much more like Germans than the

English were , —and had many questions to ask about that country , he should be delighted to stop beneath the same roof with me , if the locality suited him , etc . etc . Accordingly , next day , at 1 ' 2 m . he

called around . AVe had lunch together , and much interesting com'ersation . He proved extremely well-informed about England and the English , ancl was extremely entertaining . He had much to say about a London friend of his , a banker , who had lived in Americaand whom I

, ought to know . After an hour spent in this Avay , he proposed a walk , and said , if I wished it , he would present me to his friend . To this , after some hesitation , I asseuted , ancl Ave set out for King ' s Cross , a part of

town I had not yet visited . After Avalking about- half an hour , during Avhich time my companion beguiled the way with a A'ery lively account of a steeple-chase he had recently taken part in through his friend the banker , at bis suggestion Ave stopped at one of the numerous alehouses- for some refreshment . It Avas not

a very , inviting looking place , and I felt disposed to take our ale standing at the bar , American fashion , and pass on ; but my German was not going to be so coolly matter-of-fact as that , and led the way to the coffee room , Avhich , hoivever , Ave found locked ; but one of the bar-maids handed

him the key . and Ave Avent in . It was a dingy , unused-looking room , with leathercushioned benches around the sides , ancl tables in front of them . It struck me that

there ivas some incongruity in our being in such a place . It seemed better adapted to some secret nocturnal revel . The two windows were high , shutting out all view of the street , ancl admitting but a scanty liirht-. I sat down on a chair near the

door , feeling a little constrained ; but my companion passed over to the further corner of the room , and set down with such a hearty , masterly air that I followed him , and had soon aimed a blow at my lamentable reserve in a bumper of ale . "While I was engaged in looking over some

admirable Berlin photographs which my friend handed me , ho made an excuse to go out . Not long thereafter there entered the room a man who drew my attention by his bewildered , excited manner . He took off his hatmopped his brow with

, his handkerchief , and rushing around the room , gave each of the three bell-hangers a violent jerk . "The worst part of town I ' ve been in yet , " said he , seating himself on mv side