The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-21


When Steele Wyoming arrived at his custom
ary apartments in Half Moon street, Picsdilly,
one morning early in June. be found . telegram
awaiting him from Cecil Cameron. Is was his
won't, Wyoming. having left New York about
the las OF May on q steamer OF the French line,
had been spending a month in Paris, ramb-
ling through the salon. going to all the many
smaller exhibitions. seeing all the shows
Of all sorts, from the Theatre Francois
to Nsuilly Fair, and giving himself
mp to the lazy enjoyment . cultivated
American can always attain in the city By the
Seine. But when the race for the Grand Prix
had been run, and when the thesters began to
close their doors, he wrote over to London ask
the time when the Queens birthday Is cele-
brated by her loyal shop keepers, Wyoming took
the night train and arrived In London before the
city by the Thames was yet awake.
Early as it was the telegram from Cecil Cam
eron bad arrived before him. While his trunks
were being taken to his room he tore open the
brown envelope and read this message.
Steele Wyoming. No. 81 half Moon street. Picca-
Oily:
Welcome, Rosicrueian brother. want you to call
spooks from the Vastly deep. Lunch at Babel Club at
4. You hear my horni CECIL CAMERON.
yCLAA 1cA9 az , - AAS AoAal " q
moment.
That man makes me tired" he said to him.
self, with his mania for trying to talk Ameri-
can. Why can't ha be content with his own in
sular and parochial dlalectl But he's . good fell
low. for all that"
The Americans face was even moro solemn
than usual as he laid the dispatch on the table.
II wonder what mischief he 10 up to now"
was his reflection. Raising spooks was always
fun, however. aud he can count me in"
So IL was that Wyoming went to the Babel
Club to meet his friend at the appointed hour.
The Babel Club, as all must know. was founded
a. q place Of meeting for men who could speak
ct least three modern languages. Cecil Cameron,
proud OF his proficiency, offered the American
language as one OF the three. As no spoke
French aud German, In addition to English, he
s-s admitted. To prevent q confusion Of
tongues. there was al unwritten law Of the club
by which . member making use OF any foreign
word was fined elevenpence halfpenny.
As Steele Wyoming was about to take his seat
ut the little table in the bow window which juts
out into Piccadiliy, Cecil Cameron entered the
dining room.
How are you. old man9r asked the American.
Il am able TO sit up and take nourishment,'
are your
I'm not the better for the privilege of listen
ing TO your vain efforts to mimic our noble
American language" was Wyoming's prompt
reply. why are you not content with the
lialecr spoken by the Inhabitants of Great
britain ana ner COLONIAL dependenc1eSi'
Because / prefer the pictorial freedom of
speech which echoes over the boundless prairies
Of the mighty Vast Cameron returned.
> ''Well." said Wyoming, with d weary s;gh,
sspush forward to your own destruction. Lin
guistic pitfalls are on all sides of you. No man
can speak American who IL not born in the
purple of American sovereigsity. So forgive
you; and / may as well confess that I'd lever
hear az energetic Americanism, now and
again, than the enervating Criticisms which be-
sprinkle the speech Of most of you fellows over
hera Now drive OF your donkey cart. and tell
me about the spirits"
do you know my Australian cousin, Frank
Hardyf' asked Cameron
NO. the American replied. do you want
10 scare mp q spook or two for himr
Frank Hardy is in love with the only daueh-
ksr OF J. Bulstrode- Travis. ESQ. of Redrose Hall.
Flintshira"
Then he doesn't need anybody TO raise his
spirits. l take it, ventursd the American.
Franks all right" Cameron returned; she's
III wsol ssd yard vide!"