The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-06-29

How Actor Florence Found Him unox
pectedly In Paris.


How Actor Florence Found Him unoS-
pectedly in Paris.
At the st. James hotel last evening
there was a large group Of guests dis
cussing foreign news, and the converse /
ton turned to the latest exploits Of Hem
ry NJ Stanley.
"Did you ever hear how found STAN
levY' asked William j, Florence, the
great comedian. Every one answered
In the negative, and asked for recital
of the story. "Just after Stanley had
crossed the Dark Continent" said Flor
ence, 81 was passing my vacation in Eu
rope. While in Paris / received a cable
gram one day from the New York Her
aid, which read about as follows;
"'Stanley has arrived at Marseilles,
where we have cablcd him. Give him
magnificent dinner in Paris the day after
tomorrow. Spare no expense. You may
draw against us for any amount. Ple1pe
favor u.s.
"I went ahead and worked like bea-
yer. 1 engaged the Hotel Chatham, one
of the best in Europe, for big receptions,
and ordered dinner for 250 guests. l
skirmished around, and, thanks to the in
tense popularity which the great African
explorer had won, had no trouble in
getting together one of the most brilliant
and distinguished crowds that Paris could
produce. was very nervous, of course,
about the matter, and spent the whole
day preceding the night of the reception
in supervising the floral and other deco
rations and arranging the distribution of
the guests. In the afternoon, while hard
at work Illuminating in the choicest
Americanese against an imbecile florist, l
heard some one sing out: Hello, Bill,
what are you up tor
''The voice had half familiar ring.
"I turned and saw gray mustached
individual with rather shabby clothes and
the unmistakable expression of a New
York newspaper man.
Hard at work getting up dinner
"'What is it all about-some political
AFFAIR."
"Oh, no; it's a complimentary banquet
to Stanley
"'Well, fancy he'll be delighted. He
ought to be, any way
"All the time I was puzzling myself
as to whom my visitor was. could MOI
place him in my memory, and, therefore
resorted to the old expedient of asking
questions.
"'What are you doing hereT 1 began
Staying day or two and then goinS
back to the States via London
4" Anything important or newsy?'
Absolutely nothing. Just going bacl
to rest little. You know, Bill, fellow
can't work forever without some relaxa
tion.'
81 was as far off as ever. and SO triet
new tack.
"'Its long time, old boy, since w
met
eyes; quite a number of years
"'What was the last placer queried
growing desperate.
"'I don't remember, Bill, the exac
place or time. 1t may have been New
York, Chicago, Boston or Cincinnati
I've seen you so often that can't tell
81 paused, not knowing what to sa
next.
"He promptly took up the converse
ton by remarking:
"'Say, Bill think I'd like to take il
this dinner. Could you accommodate
an old friend?'
"This was coming it strong. II
looked all right, and was certain
knew Of him under pleasant auspices
but he might be some black sheep tina
had strayed from the fold. So an
swered:
"'I'll try to arrange it, although a
the invitations are out and every sea
filled. Let me have your card and T.
= see if l can't get a plate somewher
around the board
"He smiled as he answered.: Bill,
haven't got card to my name; bu
never mind that-I'u come anyhowP
"This was too much for even me.
l looked at him apologetically and sale
My dear boy, must make confession
l have fearfully bad memory for name
and addresses, and although we're oil
friends cannot recall who you are
save my soul from perdition. Now, VIII
are you, anyhow
2 "He grinned all over, leaned forward
4 catching hold of my shoulders, and sale
4 Bill, knew you didn't know me all I'll
q time. I'm Stanley himself
I "It took minute to recover from tn
a surprise and subsequent laughter, an
Y then we made bee line for the noare
Z bottle. William E. S. Fales in Ne
q York Mail and Express,