Smyrna times., 1896-02-26
A VICTIM OF FAME.

cts the merest self-defense, said l.
''Now, that tiger-skin?" she sug-
yested insinuatingly. 'I'm sure tale
hangs to that!''
"Of course, tail hangs to it" 1 re-
Dlied irritably. ''Most tigers have
tails. What are you writing there,
"Only that your conversation
lbounds in flashes of bright wit, Mr..
Pottinger-really, that is all.
"All! OH" groaned.
81 should have thought you'd have
liked it, you know. Most people do
when | do it. Now these
Oriental vases? | suppose one of your
ancestors brought them home from?"-
Bought 'em of jew"
"Ah, you poke about in old shops?
How interesting! You may often be
seen, | expect, peering in at the
''Never, madam. "
ooh, what love of a catl He's
your great companion and friend, isn't
he? I'm sure he isl"
Its the landlady's, and l kick the
beast out whenever / see it.
"Ah, perhaps you suffer from nerves?
Most poets do, of course. You must
have perfect rest and quiet to-
"I'm as strong as horse, thank
you"
'And you live quite at home in these
lovely rOOms?"
''When can command solitude,
madam, enjoy it. !"
ooh, thank you so much! 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
l know the feeling so we'll"
''YOu do not appear, however, to ap
preciate it i'll others"
'Not quite so fast, please; / cam
get it all down"
Controlling myself with an effort,
SAID, III firm tones: Il distinctly for
bid you to put in a word about me. "
"Oh, there'll be nothing you car
possibly object to, Mr. POttinger-
there won't, indeed. Do any of your
family write poetry beside you?"
''DO any of your family beside yor
do interviewing?" l retorted. E'If so
l should think you're an orphan.
She laughed gleefully, and wrot,
hard for a minute or two.
"There, I've got that, she observed
cheerfully. "Now is there anything
else that you'd like to tell the public
through me?"
l opened the door and stood with my
hand on the knob.
About your books, for instance
How much you get for
ono, thank you, said l, with EN-
phasis.
"Or your favorite pursuits?"
"Good-morning," said 1, openin,
the door wider
"Oh, good. morning, Mr.. Pottinger
Oh, who's that over the mantlepiece
What a sweet facel I'm sure it mus
be-Oh, a secret, is it? Then mustn'
ask, must 1? How charmingIy inter
esting, though; must just refer to it.
eff you do
''Well, good-morning. Thank yo
so very much. I'll be sure and sen
you paper.
The above is full and true recOr
of what passed. The following is a
] extract from what was published:
''Mr Pottinger, when he is chez Jt
dwells in the daintiest of apartments
AT glance you can tell that you al
i'll the sanctum of a skilled collector {
O1ets d'drt, and your hosts deep-blu
eyes light up with radiant CLEAN 6
he loningly fOndles his priceless
Oriental pottery. The wall is decke
with the skin of a magnificent tiger
the Pottingers have always been migl
ty hunters, and Mr.. Pottinger himse
can handle rife as deftly as he ca
turn sonnet. On the cushions of
luxurious sofa there repOses a splendI
Persian cat, evidently the companion
friend and pampered pet of its giftt
master. Over the mantlepiece han,
the portrait of beautiful girl, and
is easy to see that this exquisite ge
is not the least of Mr.. Pottinger
treasures.
Space forbids us to catalogue Il
thousand and one delightful obiec
which adOrn this choice retreat. TT
tout ensemble is fragrant of letter,
ease and wide culture. Nor is the 0e
ius tOci one whit out of harmony wi
the surroundings which his matchle
taste and untiring diligence in L
search for curios have gathered I
gether from the four corners of q
earth. Mr.. Pottinger's slight figu
tells, indeed, of a delicate physiq
and of the sensitive, ever-nervous tel
permanent always associated with $
preme poetic gifts. But the brain
the man imparts bOundless energy
its frail tenement; the soul looks OF
alert, passionate, indomitable, throu,
the large eyes, now so strangely kee
now so ineffably sympathetic Sayin
full of penetration, hints of overfio
ing sympathy with all the sorrows a
troubles which afllict the world, ming
and alternate with the most brillia
< flashes of wit or the rapier- -thrusts
the most refined and courteous bad
age.
''Mr. Pottinger's, indeed, is a p,
= sonality which must be encountered
be appreciated; for, although he m
be studied to some degree in his o,
priceless poems, yet the man hims
seems something above and beyo
even the finest of his work-a presen
an influence, in a word, soul, such
: it is refreshing and inspiring to m,
, amid the grays and drabs of this d
sale age. Never shall we forget
, precious hours which Mr.. Pottinger
kindly spared to us, and we trust Il
we have not altogether failed to co
municate to cur readers something
4 ltn4 4 A