Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-11

IWI House. It was balmy West Indian
- evening, and the cool sea-breeze stole
IeEES1I pleasantly in through the open arches
Of the veranda Down in the valley
below, great palm trees waved their graceful
arms in the twilight before each passing gust,
and plantains whispered music to the low hum
Of the insects Within, all was lamplight, and
flowers and perfume. A more delicious tropical
night | can hardly remembers night of soft
breaths, faint sounds, sweet odors
And the talk, too-the talk was most brilliant
and Interestingly Our host, the Governor, Sir
Everard Spence, is well known throughout Eu.
rope as the man Of science par excellence in
English colonial service. His bronzed and sun
burnt face, deep SCARED with the lines of many
early privations and selfsought hardshps, al
ways rouses a ready cheer of welcome at the
British Association, and a generous greeting at
the Royal Society soiree. His knowledge of trop-
ical beasts and birds in particular, is probably
unequaled among living Englishmen lie has
spent his days in collecting observing, arrang-
ing, classifying; and has been rewarded accord
ingly by a grateful country with the ipaid
Governorship of a fourth-rate colony. Yet a
more dignifed specimen Of Natures own gentle
men you won't find in the world than the
snowy-haired author of 'Life and it's Origins"
As we loitcred over our wine, carried away
by the charm of the Governors conversation
a black servant came in with scrap of paper
for Sir Everard. Our host took it in his spare
hands and glanced at it carelessly.
"Who is the man, Thomasp he asked in his
kindly way.
And Thomas made answer, with a profound
bow, Film say him an unfortunate Englishman,
sab; don't got work; wish to speak with
your Excellency."
The private secretary smiled somewhat Gym
ical SMILE
'In my experience OF the West Indies" he
said, with a careless twirl of his waxed mus
tache, 1--WE always found that an unfortunate
Englshman means in very plain words drunk
en- reprobate."
But Sir Everard rose at once, and went out
anxiousy to the door. "An unfortunate Eng
lishman in the tropics" he answered, in a very
slow voice as he went, ALWAYS enlists my pro-
foundest sympathies. He may be drunken, Of
course; he may be idle and disreputable-most
often he is; but the question remains, even then
who or what has made him So"
"The Governors always too generous to
tramps" the private secretary went on, as Sir
Everard disappeared. "He's Quixotc in his
way don't you know? Takes Utopian view of
things"
Better that than be cynic," / answered,
quietly as I drained the last drops of my strong
black coffee; for Sir Everard's personality al
ways chained and enthralled me.
At the end Of few minutes the Governor re-
turned with a very sad face. WADE" he said
to his secretary, take this man round to your
rooms at once, please; give him what food he
wants, and shelter for the night; but mind
you, no liquor. Captain Mortimer" to the aide
de-camp, "you can go with him if you like.
Pearson to me, ri want half-an-hour's talk
with YOU"
Certainly, sir" answered, and lighted my
cigarette and composed myself to listen.
The Governor paused and looked steadily at
me for half a minute. Pearson he began at
last, "did I ever tell you how I came to have
ideas of my own about tramps in the tropics?"
'Why, no; 1 think mo-" said, gazing hard
at the slim figure in the evening suit and ire
proachable tie, the very picture of distinguished
old colonial satrap.
"Well the wonder Of it all isl he went on
rehechvely, ''that 1 didn't take to drink my
self and go to the bad utterly. There was
time, / believe, when only twenty-four hours
stood between me and that poor, penniless crea-
ture there"
'Indeed,'' I CRIED gazing still harder at the
grand old head, and respecting him all the more
for that candid avowal.
Eyes, it's true" the Governor went NIL
singy. "True, every word of it. And this is
the way it all came about, if you don't think it
egotistical in an old man to talk about it."
"By no means" with quiet smile, I answer.
ed; "your "reminiscences are always interesting"
He glanced at curously.
well, it's fifty years ago now" he began,
"since my brother Fred and 1 started our
expedition to the lower slopes of the Andes.
Fred's Governor of North Australia at present,
as you know; and well Pm here, at Port
of France, as you see me; but in those days we
were pair of young city clerks without a
friend or penny, in London office. However,