Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-14

loafer UP there Inc rUinaus lace became
white as he fairly whined: bob, l didn't
know you had this place; pom honor didn't"
You lien was the sententious response,
and then, turning to his small companion, he
said: Go UP and pull that big fellow out"
And the little man did so promptly and
gracefully, and then, while the people about,
who had become aware Of the state Of affairs,
cheered and applauded, the little fellow kicked
and cufTed the burly thief.
Now it is not so difficult to understand why
there was no pocket picking on Suburban
day.
A letter awaiting at the st. James hotel
the return of Actor William T. Florence
from the salmon leapiug waters of the Resti-
gouche river is covered with the blurred, cir
cular stamps of many postottices and in its
lower left hand corner carries the announce
ment, From Henry NJ Stanley" The friend
ship existing between the explorer and the
comedian was cemented under rather anus
ing circumstances. | heard them narrated
by Florence a few days before he started
with Johnny Hecksher to do battle with the
piscatorial monarchs Of the Canada's rapids
''Bardweu Slote'sn portrayer was in Paris
when news was received there that Stanley
had returned from Africa, where he hao dis
covered Livingstone, that be had landed at
Marseilles and that he would reach the French
capital the following day. Immediately the
American colony was aglow with patriotic
enthusiasm, and, true to the American
instinct it was at once determined that
a dinner should be given in Stan
leys honor AS it was known that
he was in haste to reach London it was
necessary to have the banquet on the night
of his arrival in Paris. telegraphic mes
sage apprising Stanley of the contemplated
courtesy was sent to Marseilles. The details
of the dinner were placed in Florence's caro-
for arrangement The Hotel Chatham was
selected as the scene of festivities. Its dining
room has fully windowed side, which forms
one boundary Of an open court yard. The
demand for tickets exceeded the capacity Of
this apartment and many would be sub
scribers had to be turned away unsatisfled.
Two hours before the time set for the begin
ming of tie banquet Florence, in pursuance
of his duties, was arranging the plate cards
in place: that most delicate task on which
the success or failure of dinner SO largely
depends While engaged in this he became
conscious of the fact that man was peering
at him through one of the windows looking
on to the court yard. In a few moments the
stranger, without asking permission, entered
the room and nonchalantly cried out: Hello,
Billy; what are you doing hereF
Florence felt satisfied that he was being ac
costed by some persistent fellow countryman
who was determined TO have seat at the
table, consequently he did not even look up,
but as he continued his work he mumbled:
81 am very busy; you must not trouble me
now. Every seat at the table is taken, and
I'm trying to arrange the seating of more
people than the room can accommodate"
Don't remember me, Billy, do youf' per-
sisted the stranger, laughingly. II met you
out in Cincinnati a great many years ago."
The actor looked up quickly, and recognize
ing no familiar lineaments said somewhat Inn
patiently, ~ dare say. Glad to see you
again. Meet so many people can't remember
them all, yerknow. But really, now, you
must 90 away, like good fellow, and not
bother me, else l will never get these people
seated"
But what's going ona What is all this
fuss aboutf" persisted the stranger good ma
turedly.
Great heavens man, don't you known
answered Florence excitedly. ''We are to
give Stanley dinner. The great Stanley,
the great explorer, the discoverer of Living
stone. would like to have you present, but
it is impossible, as every seat is taken"
With an amused smile the stranger quietly
said: why, Billy, l am Stanley. Net you
out in Cincinnati when l was a newspaper
reporter"
''W-h-a-a-a-t." calculated the comedian, as
the plate cards dropped from his nerveless
grasp.
Yes answered the other laughingly
'Seel here are letters from Livingstone with
which | must hasten to London" and he
drew from an inner pocket of his coat a
heavily sealed package.
.'My dear sir" exclaimed the now deeply
agitated actor, you must get away from
here at once The guests will begin arriving
in few minutes and you are not dressed TO
receive them. Didn't you receive our tele-
gramF"
Il got no telegram" replied the explorer,
'but never mind that; come out here and take
look at my young niger. l brought him
from Africa, and he is one of the funniest
looking creatures you ever saw"
"But, my dear sir" said Florence anxious
", there's no time to look at niggers now.
You must hurry away from here and get
ready to receive the distinguished guests"
''Oh, that's all right, Billy" persisted Stan
ley. Come and take just one look at this
fellow"
There was no escape for the perturbed
manager of the banquet. He walked into
the court yard, and there was a sight to
make brass image crack its sides From
the heart Of the dark continent the explorer
had brought half grown African In Mar
settles he had attired him in the conventional
garb of civilization. While waiting for his
protector in the hotel court yard his dress
had suddenly become rksome TO the little
savage, and when the two men gazed upon
him he was standing proudly erect, as free
from covering as when he first entered the
world and with his newly bought clothing
carefully carried on one arm That funny
occurrence was the beginning Of warm
friendship between actor and explorer.
LOUIS y. MEGARGEE
AmelIe Beattle, negro woman living