The Topeka state journal., 1904-12-31

DO not KNOW Wnat to 90, ecceuenza-
The man will die: have no medicines
on board for such case
/ "BahI Bah!" answered the captain
of the port, "he will do very we'll You
must do your best; we could not have
him in Alexandria And il he dies
Pazienza-'
In vain the doctor pleaded. and heap
ed argument on argument in the most
voluble Italian; the white beard was
inexOrable, and at last he waved his
hand as if to dismiss the question al
! together. He was just about to give
/ the signal for the rowers to take up
their oars when 1 stepped forward
and, in my very best Italian, said:
"Scusi, eccellenza, but I have some
thing to say to you"
All eyes on board were turned to-
ward me. What audacity!" 1 sup
pose they were thinking.
The captain of the port looked up
| in astonishment, but seeing L was a
respectable looking passenger he re
piled with perfect politeness, "I'arli,
signora; what can 1 do for you?"
This, eccellenza,' 1 continued, Il
with to be taken back to Alexandra
at once
The eccellenza started, but again re-
piled with perfect composure. And
why, signora, may I ask, have you
changed your mind thus suddenly"
Because I said. speaking slowly
and emphasizing every word, be
cause there is typhus on board, be-
cause we are sailing under the yellow
flag and are sure to have to undergo
quarantine at Piraeus, and because |
did not bargain for all this when
took passage on the Atlante.
There was moments silence. Ec-
cellenZa looked very annoyed and
seemed to reflect. After moment
that appeared like an eternity he made
a gesture of refusal
'E impossible, signora; and do not
fear, there will be no quarantine at
Piraeus," he said, and rapidly gave the
signal for departure.
But was not going to be beaten.
STOP" 1 cried. 'Stop, eccellenza.
I am an English subject. The mo-
ment 1 arrive at Athens I shall lodge
a complaint at the embassy. where |
am well known. You are aware
am within my rights; you dare not
treat an Englishman in this man
ner."
1t was as good as a play. Eccel-
lenza's face was a study; of course he
foresaw the endless annoyance to
which he might be submitted If 1 car
ried out rny threat. The easiest way
was to give in, and he did it with the
perfect good grace of born Italian.
''Venga dunque, signora,'' he said
with smile. Fetch the luggage of
miladi,'' he added, addressing himself
to the crew.
Two of the biggest fellows climbed up
the ladder and took hold of the belongings
and in a few minutes Won Glauben. my
brother, and l were sitting on the red
cushioned seat near sua eccellenza on our
way back to Alexandria. I had not dared
to give more than a. smile of gratitude to
the doctor, who had watched the whole
scene with the keenest interest and who
looked delighted when he saw had gain
ed my point.
Wire from Piraeus,' shouted sardon-
ically to our late travelling companions as
they waived farewell to US with a mild
sneer on their faces. Il wish you joy; a
happy quarantine"
Etccellenza was most amiable. He de-
clared my italian was SO good he could
hardly believe was 1nglese, SO tried
to look f1attered at this delicate compli-
ment and showed him my passport.
He quite satisfied.
''Miladi,' he said, had done quite
right; it was an abuse. no doubt, but what
could one do? The pilgrims must be sent
home; after all, only few would proba-
bly, die on board Pazienza.' -
We became very good friends. He
smoked my cigarettes, and as he ex-
pressed great admiration for my silver
cigarette case I offered it to him as a
Won Glauben was speechless; he could
not get over what he termed my British
inpudence for a long time.
"A German would never do that" he
said.
mo-" I answered, "a German never
could. Don't you know that Britannia
rules the waves, and the mainland, too,
for the matter of that? At least Brit
ons think so, and therefore it must be
true. From the Tattler.