A good scuffle


7 August 1870

Spent three days in Berlin without being escorted out. Much more peasant this way. Incident at Fraulein Alice’s Gaststätte must have been smoothed over. Wilson still boring. I think of all the pilsner, frauliens and fighting I’ve missed while watching him.
I’ve had just that bit of time to cool heels though.

Hassan and Deverill have moved on. I’ll miss having another American to chat with. Wilson doesn’t count.


9 August 1870

In Naples. Who could have known that food could taste so good. Hard to find decent beer or whisky. You can get a good scuffle if you disparage their grape squeezings, however. Having the time of my life when not on duty.


13 August 1870

League in Paris. Food is flavorful, yet wrong. Can get good fight from both plainly discussin food and wine. I had one particular waiter who offended me, and.. let’s say that when word gets out of the result, I think no American will ever be treated rudely in their café’s ever again.

The people here are decent, I still think the leaders are too warlike. The whole Emporer Napolean thing, I suppose. It’s not as if the rest aren’t rattling their sabers every other day.


29 August 1870

Have fell behind in keeping up my journal. I doubt the others would ever be so careless. I turn 27 years old today. I am thinking of family I’ve not seen in very long and in a poor mood. We returned to London, but went with Wilson from there to Gloxhill to visit Lord Greyminster, Sir Cosmo’s Grandfather. Also, Wilson makes a fool of himself with the other headers at the temperance hall there. I caused curiousity the first time I was there, but it quickly ended and now I don’t have to watch him while he’s there, though I doubt my employers would approve of this if they knew.

Decided I like Lord Greyminster. My liking of Gentry still limited to those within this group. I suspect the rest of Sir Cosmo’s relations are probably decent folk as well. Who would have known?

They have an incredible room for me to stay when I am in Gloxhill, but I much prefer when I can stay in my own flat. I enjoy evening meals with Mrs. Ploppy and the rest of the boarders. Except for Eldridge, and he’s a noisy upstairs neighbor to boot.


1 September 1870

Lord Greyminster hosted a dance party this eve and invited everyone from the area. I was on my best behavior. Was nice to dance with a few pretty ladies dressed in their best. Wilson still boring when not trying to blow himself or me up.


8 September 1870

Not much happening lately, so long as I know when to duck. The group has been talking at great length about all sort of political goings on. Some involve people we know. I can’t make any sense of it, I hope it’s good news.

I’ve been studying more on things magical. Have only rudimentary legend of Hearne. Have fould more about Kali. Find myself more strangely curious of the relationship of the soon to be Sir and Lady Copperthwaite. I have searched various experts as to the nature of my lucky coin. Nothing so far detected or divined from it. It must be powerful, indeed!


11 October 1870

Fallen behind again. Not much to report. Spencer Cuthbert now a knight. Wooster and his men have been decorated. I’m sure there’s all sort of other gentry promotions and accolades going on. I have no way to keep track.

Was contacted for modeling. It will be good to return to more familiar work. Wilson hasn’t killed himself yet, and the burns are healing nicely.


5 November 1870

Attended a fair and Guy Focks (sp?) Day. Miss Wilhemena found a practical use for one of Dr. Wilson’s toys. Actually, fireworks is about the only reliable use I have yet to see for rocketry, despite the best attempts of Wilson.

Continuing studies during off days and searching for sporting work. Have found more than one bit of troubling news as to the state of Boxing in this country.

Things are very dull when not chasing around for the British government.


7 November 1870

Miss Sinclair is now Mrs. Frazier. Good ceremony and party. It was much ado over nothing, but I still can privately put to rest the “Should I marry Mr. F” fiasco.


30 November 1870

There was a storm and a ship in need of assistance. Wilson shot himself over ship. Calls it a great success.


3 December 1870

New modeling contract.



8 December 1870

The only thing more frightening than dodging one of Dr. Wilson’s devices is to go to a patent office and be surrounded by his peers, wondering which one will go off first. I need some quiet time. Eldridge still noisy, but is learning to take a subtle hint.


23 December 1870

Made another stage appearance at Miss Mitzi’s Christmas Cabaret as Father Christmas. Play was a success. Lot’s of jokes that I didn’t catch, but everone had a good time. I’m not so thick headed as not to understand that the audience for this type of show have different tastes and experiences than I do.

Being onstage where everyone wants to perform and has rehearsed is a much better situation than my previous.


26 December 1870

A quiet Christmas. There will be some Boxing Day things happening today to be sure. Found out that a writer died last night, under mysterious circumstances. Thought about it a bit and decided that I don’t care.


6 January 1870

What an incredible day, I’m completely vexed! First Wilson is called aside, then I. Suddenly I have no job anymore, Wilson is on his way to America, and I have two gentleman making sure that I’ve received my quarterly wages.

I’m very saddened that I didn’t get to say goodbye to him before he left. I was beginning to regard him an odd relative or a friend that needed loosening up. I’ll miss him. But I’m also troubled. I wish I could have asked why he resorted to something so dire recently, not that I’m completely unsympathetic, but it just seems sad and wrong.


Proceed to A sorry state

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