The morning times., 1896-02-23
A VICTIM OF FAME.

shaD't be able to make aliy.
u thing out OF 1t. and / shaut
get any money" said size,
with a pout.
i beileve she knew that she was good
looking. But had She been Venus herself.
| should have pursued the same course.
i Il am overwhelmed with regret" !
observed, stiffIy.
ITS very lll-Datured Of you" said she.
ITS the merest sclf-defcnse," said I.
Now, that tigcr-skin?' she suggested,
insinuaungly. I'm sure tale hangs TO
that
"Of course tale hangs to it, replied
lrrltably. Most tigers have tails. W hat
are you writing there MADAME
only that your conversation abouDds In
flashes of bright wit, Mr.. Pottinger-
really that is all.''
''Ali! Oh, Lordr' / groancd.
II should have Thought you have liked
1t. you know. Most people especially
when do 1t. Now those oriental vases?
suppose one OF your ancestors brought them
home from
"Bought 'em OF a jew"
An you poke about in old shops? How
interestingl You may often be seen, /
expect peering in at the"
Never, madam"
ION, what love of a cati He's your
great companion ana friend, isn't he? I'm
sure he isr'
ITS the Iandlady's, ana 1 kick the beast
ont whenever / see it,"
"Ah, perhaps you suffer from nerves?
Most poets do, OF coursse. You must
have perfect rest and quiet to
I'm as strong as n horse, thank you.''
And you live quite at home in these
lovely rooms?''
when can command solitude, madam,
enjoy it,"
ION, thank you so muchi I'll just put
that down. It's SO characteristic OF
genius, isn't it? You love to be alone
with your thoughts, don't you? know
the feeling SO well"
"You do not appear, however, to ap-
preciate it in Others
Not quite SO fast, please; ! can't get
il all down.
Controlling myself with an effort, 1
said in firm tones:
81 distinctly forbid you 10 put in
word about me-
"oh, thcre'il be nothing you can possibly
object to, Mr.. Pottinger-there won't in
deed. Do any of your family write poetry
besides you?'
"Do any of your family besides you do
ntervie wing?'' | retorted. If so,
should think you're an orphan"
She laughed gleefully and wrote hard
for minute or two.
There, I've got that" she observed,
| checrfully. NOW is there anything else
that you'd like to tell the public through
me?''
opened the door and stood with my hand
on the knob.
About you books, for instance. How
much you get for"
mo, thank you" said I, With emphasis.
"Or you favorite pursuits?'
Good morning." said l, opening the
door wider.
"Oh, good morning, Mr.. Pottinger! OH
who's that over the mantclpicce? What
sweet facet I'm sure ii must lie oh,
secret is il? Then / mustn't ask, must I?
How charmingly Interesting, though; l
must just refer to IT.
We'll, good morning. Thank you so
very much. IN be sure and send you
a paper
The above is a fm and true record of
what passed. The following is an ex-
tract from what was published
"Mr Pottinger, when he Is chez lui,
| dwels in the daintiest of apartments. AT
q glance you can tell that you are in the
| sanctum of a skilled collector OF objects
| dart, and your hosts dcep-bue eyes light
up with a radiant glenn as he lovingly
| fondles his priceless oriental pottery. The
wall is decked with the skin of maGnifi-
| cent tiger-the Pottingers have always
| been mighty hunters, and Mr.. Pottinger
| himself can handle rife as deity as he
| can turn sonnet. On the cushions OF n
| luxurious sofa there repOses q splendid
| Persian at, evidently the companion, friend
and pampercd pet of its gifted master.
| Over the mantelpicce hangs the portrait
of beautiful girl, and IT is easy 10 see
that this exquisite gem is not the least
of Mr.. POttinger's treasures.
| Space forbids US to catalogue the thou
sand and one delightful objects which adorn
this choice retreat. The tout ensemble
| is fragrant OF lettered ease and wide cui-
| ture. Nor is the genius loci one whit out OF
! harmony with the surroundings which his
maichless taste and untiring diligence in the
search for curios have gathered together
| from the four corners OF The earth. Mr.. Pot
tingcT's slight figure tells, indeed, of
delicate physique and OF the sensitive, over
| nervous temperament always associated
| with supreme poetic gifts. But the brain OF
| the man imparts boundless energy to its
| frah tenement; the soul looks out, alert,
passionate indomitable, through the large
eyes, now sostrangely keen, now soincffably
| sympathetic. Sayings full of penetration,
hints OF overflowing sympathy with all the
| SORROWS and troubles which afflict the world,
mingle and alternate with the most brilliant
| flashes OF wit or the Tapicr-thrusts of the
| most refined and courteous badinage.
Mr.. Pottinger's, indeed, is a personality
| which must be encountered to be appre-
| ciated:a for, although he may be studied
| TO some degree in his own priceless poems,
yet the man himself seems something above
| and beyond even the finest of his work
| q presence, an influence, in word,
soul, such as it is refreshing and inspiring
TO meet amid the grays and drabs Of this
| presaic age. Never shall we forget the
precious hours which Mr.. Pottinger so
/ kindly spared to us, and we trust that we
have not altogether failed to communicate
to our readers something OF what we were
| privileged to enjoy when Mr.. Pottinger
made us welcome to his home"
This appeared one morning. In the af-
tcrnoou l stroied according to my custom.
down to the club. A circle of men sat
round the fire. No sooner had l entered