The Savannah morning news., 1902-11-28
HOW THE GAME is PLAYED.
An Americans Experience With the
London BuncO Man,
Lex, in Philadelphia Ledger.

SasiOi VI my HrSt Visit TO England, a
good many years ago. had been ad-
vised by a friend of the Church. who
Knew his London as he knew his For
ty-nine Articles, not to go to a hotel
but to chambers, of which admirable
ones were to be had at the moderate
price which became my station
When L arrived in the great city in
the morning of a rarely beautiful day,
the season was at its hight, or would
be the week following, when the Derby
was to be run. over night l had been
a guest of the Bath. Hotel on Piccadil-
ly, and as soon as the town began to
awaken to the business of the day, I
entered upon my search for chambers
In craven street, a thoroughfare run
nlng down from the Strand to the new
Ihames Embankment. 1t was to this
street that my American friend recon-
mended me. But the custodian of the
rooms, to whom he gave me his card,
informed me that he could not accom-
modate me. He was sorry. He would
De delighted to serve his American
friend, but the truth was, and he deep
ly regretted the fact, the chambers
were all occupied, as the old habitues
had arrived in town for the season and
the Derby.
But this courteous denial did not dis
turb me, as every house in Craven
street is a private hotel or chambers.
Consequently I went from one door to
another, receiving always the same
reply to my inquiry, "All engaged"
am not certain as to this, but I
think 1T was at the last door from the
Strand that, after ringing the door
bell, was conscious that someone was
standing on the steps with me, with
out my knowing when or how he got
there L was aware that he was a lit
Tie In advance. to the right of me- In
answer TO my ring, a woman, whose
mar was in curl papers and whose ap-
pearance was generally. doWdyish
opened the door. She did not speak to
me, but to the other person on the
steps, although it was r. not he, that
rang. With fine courtesy he moved
aside, telling the unkempt person that
| had the prior claim to her attention.
thanking him, informed her that !
was looking for chambers. She answer
ed that she was sorry, but it was the
season, the Derby was next week, and
her house was full, excepting one room
in the upper story. Would 1 care to
look at it. Rendered desperate by many
failures, l replied that 1 would be
pleased to look at it. Then the gentle
man Who stood on the step with me
said that he also was looking for
chambers, and it might be that a lodg-
ing which did not suit the American
gentleman would suit him. Had 1 anx
objection, he politely asked, to his ac-
companying me in the inspection? ]
had none: and said so. We went to.
gether and saw the room, which
pleased neither of US.
Dlrectiy we were standing on the
T1fn
There were no chambers In Crayer
street to be had. The gentleman and
looked at each other and quietly
laughed as we took in the situation
we We're two strangers in London
with nowhere to lay our heads. nc
roof to shelter us, except at the Bath
Hotel, where they charged like Ches.
ter We shook hands in sympathy
He gave me his card, which was hand.
somely engraved. 1t bore the name
and legend Johanne- Buruche. civil en-.
gineer, The Hague. 1 quietly SURVEYED
my fellow voyager, and found him t.
be quiet, gentle hammered person
IN appearance a civil engineer. and
Dutch from toe to crown.
When giving me his card he said
I'VE have been loking for chambers
in Craven street. We are at the last
house. There are no chambers to lei
in Craven street, but / know where
there are many which are better anC
less expensive than those in this par
of London; they are in Portland
Place"
| did not then know the place OF
which he spoke so Familiarity. as il
far?" / asked. mo" he said. "only q
few minutes walk" You, who know
your London. : know that Portland
Place is many minutes walk from
Craven street, but l tramped by his
side up the Haymarket, along Regent
street, with its fascinating shops, and
then going on past houses of fine es-
tate once, but now fallen into decay
On the doors and shutters there were
the signs of solicitors, barristers, as
well as of other professional gentle
men, whose shabby abodes seemed to
denote the fallen fortunes of their &C.
cupants. From one of the offices saw
emerge a stout English gentleman, or
to be more particular, a fine old British
squire. He slowly descended the long
steps and pathway, without looking to
the right or to the left, and went am
bling on ahead of me and my newly
found friend, the courteous civil engi-
neer from The Hague.
Looking down, I saw lying at my
feet long, fat purse, bullying with
coin. l picked it up. 1t was heavy
with many golden sovereigns. THAT
lady," indicating one who was but a
few steps in advance, I said, dropped
this No replied my Dutch friend,
''the gentleman ahead dropped it. / saw
him do it,
Being thus assured, we hurried on to
catch UP with and restore the lost
treasure to its owner. "Have you lost
your pocketbook?" I cautiously inquir-
ed. Whereupon the fine old British
squire thrust his hand into the breast
pocket of his coat and drew therefrom
a pocketbook, long, broad and thick,
which was bursting with Bank of Eng
land notes, all of large denomination,
as he took care TO show me. There
was more money in il than l had ever
seen in my whole life. NO" he said,
II have not lost my pocketbook"
But" replied my courteous civil engi-
neer, you must have lost your purse
/ saw you drop it when you came from
your solicitors office"
Then he felt in his trousers pocket
for bis purse, and it was not there.
yes, l have lost it, he said: "but
it does not matter. 1t had not much
in it,
/ knew from the weight of the yell
low coins that 1t had hundreds of dol
lars in it.
! handed it to him. els that yoursg'
yes" he said. but as you have
found It, keep it,"
The offer was generous. but / de-
clined ii and gave him his purse. He
rourad half ifs contests into the hrOa a