The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-30
The cIuhmnn and the Car.

Il was never in London but once" said
a young clubman, chatting about fceign
travel the ot~er day. according to the
New Orleans Times-Democrat, land that
visit is chiefly impressed on my memory
by very curious adventure l had with a
CAP. 1t happened in this way: good
friend had mapped out an itinerary that
Kept me continually on the jump. and one
evening. after dinner al a swell restau-
rant, he stuck me in cab and started me
on TO meet some fellowAmericans at a
club two or three miles away.
lie was coming himself a little later.
ard had taken the precaution to write the
exact address on one of my cards, in case
the cabby got muddled. Well. the cabby
did get muddled. and presently he pulled
up in 'front.' of very large, brilliantly
lighted building to make some Inquiries.
While he was talking to policeman a
man wrapped in a heavy ulster and wear
ing silk hat pulled low over his forehead
appeared suddenly at the cab door.
Beg your pardon, he said, in an agi-
tated voice, but l have a most important
engagement TO keep in ten minutes, and
there isn't a cab within a mile. 1 have
just overheard your man getting his direc-
lions, and you pass directly by my place.
VIII you allow me to ride that far with
Naturally hesitated, but the man was so
earnest in his plea that l yielded to a
second impulse and told him to jump in.
He did so with alacrity, and the
driver whipped up his horses. The cab
vas a four-wheeler so there was plenty
of room, and my passenger, who by the
way carried a small hand-satchel, silent
ly enSconced himself in the corner of the
front seat with his shoulder to the win
Tlaf III -, ~. -.
as he left his ulster collar turned up
and his hat pulled down, 1 could get no
idea of his face, except that he seemed
to be very swarthy. OF course this ev-
ldent desire not to be seen was suspic-
ious, taken in connection with his ag-
hatlon, and began to recall all the
horrible stories l had ever heard of
murders in hanson cabs, chIoroformers,
sandbaggers and hoanicidal lunatics, I'M
till in few moments / was in such a
frame of mind that, pom my word, l
believe pride is the only thing that
prevented me from stopping the vehicle
and calling assistance.
Meanwhile we had been traversing a
very busy section of the city and got
caught in one or two slight blockades
AT each stop my companions nervous
ness increased and he was continually
consulting watch that he whipped out
of his big ulster. Good heavens! he
exclaimed finally, III be late sure I'M
less L fix up here! Will you allow me?'
Without waiting for an answer he
snatched off his hat, and 1 was startled
half out of my wits at the sight of a
race painted seal brown with a green
riose and pink circles around the eyes
and mouth. I'm Bartoni, the man mon
Key he said, noticing my amazement-
the contortionist, you know. I'm per-
forming in four different halls every
night, he went on, rummaging in his
satchel, and l have to make quick con-
nection from one to the other l need
little change of makeup for my next
turn, and if you don't object III fix
II up here, so as to be all ready when
We get there
i told him to go ahead, and, as well
as remember, he painted his nose blue.
HIS ulster came open in the process.
and L saw he wore a full suit of fur
tights. few moments later we reach
cd the theater and, thanking me warm
~ ne sprang out and disappeared, leav-
ing me somewhat dazed I heard after
ward that 1t was common thing for
vaudeville stars to play several houses
at once in London. Some of them make
all their costume changes in CABS