The times., 1899-03-26

scheme and the comedienne once more
began writing in the pamphlet those OF her
appointments which had yet TO be kept
For a considerable period the system
maintained served every purpose. Miss
Hall kept her record strictly and lived up
10 it in an iron-clad manner. And then
something happened. One day name and
address was discovered and their writer
could recall neither Such lapse was not
of infreguent occurrence, and so the ac-
tress merely copied both on her tablet and
drove around to the residence named
call was made and nothing unpleasant
came out of it. but Miss Hall left the house
after short stay firmly convinced that
she had never seen its mistress before and
that the aforesaid mistress did not know
her from Eve A like incident transpired
a week later. but ended In q more embar
raising way. This time the object of the
visit was a Presbyterian clergyman who
recognized Miss Hall from having seen her
picture in the shop windows and who re-
scented meeting her in a fashion more con-
sistent than polite.
This affair puzzled the player consi ier-
ably. but it was soon mixed up in tee
whirl Of social existence and never men
toned But some three days after another
strange address was found and Miss Hall
noticed that her oolchman Looked aston
ished when she gave it to him. She her
self was somewhat mystified when she dis
covered that she was being taken into the
worst portion of New York and completely
Mortified when the carriage finally stopped
before tumbie-down shsnty, the iphabi-
tant of which came out to enquire if the
'-loidy brung her washin' wild her." The
present vaudevillian decided to delay her
cali at that mansion however her absence
might be construed and took herself ba-
home.
Once there. Miss Hall looked up her sis
ter who shared the fiat with her, and sug-
gested that she believed the round of social
duties had had a terrible effect upon her
mind and that she intended TO see doctor.
whatever the revelation that such course
might bring. Asked for the symptoms OF
her mental disorder, the actress detailed
the events OF the fortnight past and de-
clared that something must be radically
wrong with her brain when she could
fill her engagement book with strange
names without remembering them. To
Miss Halls surprise. the relative laughed
uproariously. Her reproaches and distress
only doubled this mirth. At last the in
valid broke into tears and had begun to
declare herself insane when the sister be
came serious and explained in what she had
found anything ridiculous. The matter was
quite simple. Not having been apprised
of the return of the book TO favor the
younger Miss Hall had been using it for
the addresses of everyone, from her mill
lister to her washwoman. Hence the trou-
bic. The story may not be true. but it is
certainly rather funny. Pauline Hall viii
probably smile at it herself when she sees
it.
Burton Holmes, the lecturer who is 10
be heard this week at the Columbia is al
for fha ct hp
among friends concerning himself and his
travels as for those which he retail S from
the stage. One of the best of these is
founded On an incident that occurred dur
ing a recent trip to Constantinople, and
Mr.. Holmes cites it TO prove that. VIII lie
Americans may be and no doubt are the
most progressive people on earth. New
York and Chicago are not the only me-
rropoiises that produce bunco men. In
deed. the swindlers of Turkey may be
credited with possessing more wit than Go
their counterparts in this country, for the
Europeans select as their victims the best
travelled and most cosmopolitan of men in
stead of pouncing down upon visitors from
the rural districts.
When Mr.. Holmes first crossed the Bos-
phorns into the land of the Sultan he had
with him. besides two valises and trunk.
large stock of information con-
Try. their inhabitants and the diff
Guilty with which they were seen. He had
determined to have a look at the women S
quarters Of some palace or other If given
half an opportunity and at any risk. Con-
sequently he was delighted after reaching
the city when a well-dressed and rather
handsome Mohamnledan asked to see him,
and. after due palayer, explained that the
guide had told him of Monsieur and OF
at N sx-fac
of some dignitary or other. He knew OF a
residence some half mile distant to which
there was secret passage by which en-
trance might be obtained. The danger was
very great-so great that the caller hao
waited until Monsieur's guide had gone fol
fear that individual might object-but q
brave man such as was Monsieur would mo-
object TO danger, while the infidel was Will
ing to take the chance for nominal sum
say 100 francs Mr.. Holmes thought tn,
matter out and determined that if the vent
ure succeeded the sum named would be ,
.rrifie and that IL It did not 100 francs wa!
a small price for the life of a Mohamme
dan.
Once the consent of the traveller hac
been obtained the expedition was begun
The new guide made elaborate prepara-
tions. carefully examining regular ar
senaI of weapons. while Mr.. Holmes tool
Each then folded handkerchief into masi
form and tucked il under his belt. A hall
hours walk brought both to the building
in question: rather tumble down affair t.
which an air OF realism was given by Z
great, low -browed Greek who stood in thu
doorway. Mr.. Holmes was conducted VI
a side street and through a small tunne
concealed in the wall by huge rock. Tn
excursionists crept through this hole fo
some distance, gained the floor by mean
of trap. climbed set of rickety stairs an,
finally reached sort of balcony that seem
ed TO run about commodIous room. From
floor to ceiling was high trellis work an
TO this the Turk first applied his eye.
Finally he covered one OF the opening
with a revolver and bade the lecturer look
Mr. Holmes obeyed. Three or four womel
were reclining on the floor about the cen
ire of the apartment and two servant
were near. One OF the girls was smokin
ard the remainder were talking. Some
thing that resembled a pulpit loomed up Il
one corner. The guide explained that tbi
was usually covered with rugs and mad
to act as a lounging place. After a secon
more the two stole noislessly out, each wit
his revolver in his hand. Mr.. Holmes wa
conducted to his hotel, paid the amount de
manded, and was left.
That is all OF the story proper. But
day of rumination made the celebrate
traveller more and more suspicious OF tn
pulpit looking platform and the barre
room for sight of which he had paid 10
francs He began to fear that be had bee
made the victim of a practical joke an
said nothing. When, a week after, th
building was pointed out 10 him as bein
a deserted mosque be resolved never I