The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-29

Spaniard, but I saved the situation by suggesting a way out of the serious dilemma
 The journalist bowed evidently in- terested and curious. He didn't under stand English. that was clear. Turning 1 to him, I said:
 My friend Is so appreciative of your superb collection of weapons, that he wishes to add very pretty specimen he saw in a shop today will you accept it?"
 What are you telling him?' inquired Hotchkiss.
 That you have brought a souvenir to add to his collection. as a memento of your visit I explained, Tn the language l of New York.
 What are you doing that forY de manded the American, angerng.
 It's the way to get what we want" | I added, innocently. Now, I'll thank him, in your name. for the article pub 1 lished about you. and assure him you consider 1t highly complimentary
 Not on your lfe," retorted Hotchkiss, who had no heart for dipiomacy. "Teli him, for me, he Is blackguard and q | liar; and that I'll fight him any way he l likes"
 What says your enthusiastic frlend?" l asked the Spaniard, lowing again. He wishes to explain that he is very sorry he hasn't been able to procure a finer specimen of Viscayan nandiwork." I replied, cautiously taking the weapon from my companion and extending 1t to the editor. "He begs you to accept this, until he can send you really rare spec imen-one from Damascus, if possible"
 T receive the token Of his esteem, and kiss his hand. Este Americana es mi entusiasmaP' said the Spanish journalist.
 ha cd MT. Hotchkiss
 That you are his enthusiasm"
 He does does he? He's a 'grafter,' but can't work me-" was the retort.
 Were the grafters; we're working him." I reasured him.
 What says your friend?' asked the editor.
 That he loves Spaniards and cannot see why they ever should misunderstood Americans" We all bowed will you gentlemen dine with me at the Cafe Fornos, in Calle Alcala, at o'clock? I shall be made very happy. and will have some members of my staff there to meet you"
 Appearing to consult my companion, I actually said: He has asked us to dinner, and we shall accept. It is much better to eat with him than fight him" We went to the Cafe Fornos. It was a gem of a dinner. The onfy soft spot in the occasion developed when one of the young editors ''butted in, and made some highly discourteous references to the Virginius episode. He was promptly suppressed by the host, and the incident was soon forgotten.
 How easy one may misjudge man." said the famous American, as we walked to our hotel after the feast was over. Do you know, I like that Spanlard, be- cause he knows how to orcer dinner. He may say any old thing about me he pleases hereafter I'd forgive any thing, after that bottle of Vadepenas.'
 He told me that he'd write another eulogy of you tomorrow" said l. This will be something fulsome."
 O. say. my boy" thoughtfully. you ought to go in for diplomacy; it's your strong point"
 The chief editorial writer of a Wash ington journal is an elderly bachelor who has been made the object of many prac- tical jokes by his companions. The dig nity with which he always enters the, office and the gravity with which he be- gins work are mirth-provoking. He is profound; his memory Is prodigious; he is methodcal to the last degree; but the production of "copy" involves severe men tai effort.
 After devotng a recent afternoon to the composition of a Header" on the Bulga- rian atrocities. the editor remained long