New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-27
THE PASSING THRONG.

"Tbe old manor houses and castles throusnou.
England" said Joseph Ferris OF nos'1n On, have
NJ the Fifth Avenue Hotel nave
rt,r- ,,uueratle stories OF ghosts
SECRET which the old colored mahih.
OF CLAIMS. used to call nahts At'a'"'u
tbem The most famous OF them
all Is perhaps the one connec'eu "i'n .'.u
Castle the country seat OF the Ears Oh o"",
moro IN Forfarshire This Is the most ancient IN
habted castle OF Scotland. although OF course H.
of the original structure still survives IL was mere
that Macbeth one of the minor kings OF Scotland;
murdered Duncan. and the pI'n niiphtr and With
shakespeares Macbeth are laid W.n han 11 oS rho
out the castle walls II came into the nam ts-, o' IA
Lyon family. the present owners. about l5.l, ana h
from then a long series OF tragedies marked the
The ghost that hovers about CLAIMS T. a mys-
festatioRs is little known but the point that makes
II Of thrilling public interest IL 1ne wei AIC ,on
family H5 y which only three living people share tho
same timeNthe holder Of the title. the heir ap-
parent il he has attained his. majority. and TIE
factor of the estate why the latter shares in the
secret Is not the least part OF tne my ~ Oil
ty-hrst birthday or IL the then Earl be sonless the
heir presumptive) he is soemny Initiated into tne
mystery. The opening of some hidden room or
passage is connected with this initiation, and this
has given rise to legend In Scotland that GER
tain Earl Beardie of past times played game OF
and his soul at the same TINE ahd the me
was played. This is only one of many stories
which purport to account for the mystery. ,.,..,
LAS generation after generation has been Initiated
into the dread secret it has become widely known
and advertised, and it is said IN England that
more than one OF the heirs, when on the eve OF
coming Of age, has promised his friends and crones
to reveal the mystery, but so far no such promise
has been kept nor has any factor OF the
house ever proved false 10 the trust reposed IN
him."
when General Grant was President" said Henry
Wetts. Of Washington. at the Hotel Imperial
yesterday "a certain friend OF his
FOUGHT came out OF the West TO him.
WHEN THE One day, Just after leaving the
TRUTH WAS White House, this friend fell IN with
TOLD. fellow Wcsterner I'm the White
House grounds, and heated en-
counter took place, which suddenly terminated by
the Generals friend knocking the other man down
eral naturally Indignant. called his friend to ac-
count saying, John, you've treated me and the
do such a thing? We'll. it was this way General
replied the now thoroughly penitent one, you know
all sorts of stories going about me Just after
leaving you ran into him. and he at once os ac
lie only laughed at him. Then he accused me OF
something else. and that being also lie, ! jeered
at him again but his third accusation was true;
and by CAD sir. couldn't stand that. so knocked
him down."
Walter Kemp OF Montreal. who has Just re-
turned from Europe, said yesterday at the wal
dorf-Astoria: 1T is very exciting
ROYAL, In London Just now Everybody Is
HORSE on the qui vive, and all sides
GUARDS you hear people airing their opln-
DEPARTI' RE. ions who pretend TO be In the
know as to what the Government
will do next. One thing is certain, and that Is
Great Britain is concentrating enormous and
powerful fleet In the Mediterranean. probably on
the principle that an ounce of prevention Is worth
a pound or cure a principle she certainly has not
far followed In dealing with the South African
question.
While IN London was fortunate enough TO
witness the departure Of a portion OF the Royal
Cavalry known as the Blues and is one OF the
crack-I told the crack-regments Of the Eng
llsh army The morning saw them pass through
Sloane-st they certainly a magnificent and
businessike looking lot in their khaki uniforms and
helmets The street literally damned with
struggling and enthusiastic mass Of humanity, and
% the Guards along their mounted band.
which at the head OF the procession. struck UP
Sir Arthur Sullivans setting OF Kiplings The Abb
sent Minded Beggar' The crowd made such a
that at first you couldn't make out what the band
playing. and must say II made one feel pretty
sad to think what that superb-looking body Of men
going 10 face and how many OF them there
were there who would never the streets of
ondon again, and then some other lines OF Kip
lings flashed Into my mind:
Ere's all they desire and II they require
a speedy return TO their 'ome.
poor beggars! they'll never see 'omeD
THE two popular war songs In England seem
10 be Tommy Atkins and The Absent Minded
Began although the American song. 'Therel Be
A Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight is also fire.
quently played"