The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-04-13
TIE APOSTLE OF pALM.sray
Tells Couple of Stories Concerning the
Goodness OF American Travellers.

Tells Couple of Stories Concerning the
Goodness OF American Travellers.
Two incidents of which Heron-Allen,
the apostle OF palmistry, told the writer,
illustrate the GOODNESS OF American travel
ers under trying circumstances.
Zone OF the most absolutely delightful
companions ever had" said the blonde
young Englishman, touching tenderly his
very fragile mustache, twas one Of your
countrymen who rode camelback with me
from Constantinople to Bagdad. His good
nature was imperturbable. He wore a
Prince Albert coat and tall silk hat all
the way; he smoked continually, and
when one cigar was gone produced others
from n seemingly inexhaustible supply,
each time standing up to strike
light with the utmost sang froid, even
during the most trying lurches of our
beast, and as indifferent TO the billowy
motion as il his life had been one uninter-
rupted camel ride. The mans whole
manner and getup were inexpressibly
queer, but as he was most manly fellow
and an excellent raconteur, never en-
joyed u trip SO much in my life.
''Sir Richard Burton, the explorer, was
one of my dearest friends, and All mimi
table story teller. He was the first man
who accomplished the Hadj pilgrimage to
Mecca. Only two others ever made the
journey, although so many lives have been
wasted In the vain attempt by those who
started out full Of hope, but never re-
turned to tell the tale. The presence of O
hereto renders of no avail the cleansings
and prayers of pilgrims, and il such pres
ence is discovered the instant death of
the adventurer is required by their re-
ligion.
az think said only three ever returned
alive. Tho third was an American, whose
name ] have forgotten, although poor
Dick Burton told me at the time, with
keen relish OF his audacity. e
"This American witnessed the return
Of one Of the Hadj professions from its
perilous journey, and asked an acquaint-
ance If any one ever went on such pill
grimages except Mussulmans. The EN-.
phatic reply was Nor But pressing for
ward he seized an interpreter and said:
Ask the pilgrims how the mosque at
Medina is lightedp The information being
obtained, the American said-quite rs IL
proposing trip of everyday occurrence
Il wish to go there
"'YOu wish to 60 as n pilgrim to
Meccar exclaimed the Mortified Mussul-
man.
Pilgrim Nor with infinite con-
tempt; Il wish to sell Mohammed kero-
sene oil to light his venerable temple,'
"And he did go; undisguised; openly;
in the inevitable Prince Albert coat, with
plenty Of cigars for company all that
.dreary way across mountain and desert.
"At prayer time and additions, instead
Of trembling, he would say: Pray, pray;
/ won't disturb your and then betake
himself quite out Of their vicinity, and
walk about alone; he also took his meals
entirely apart. Returning after these
brief absences he would go among the pill
grims and amusc them by exercising his
various accomplishments, which included
playing on the banjo; always with the.
march, resuming his solitary journey on
n1uleback. 1t was the most colossal rs
well as the most successful piece of impu-
dence ever attempted. He went to Medina,
sold his kerosene to Mohammed Ali and
returned to Bagdad in safety. "-Trebor
Oil in American Magazine.