The Holly chieftain., 1906-11-23
Some Relics From
the Nile
By C. B. Lewis

Auy Oue Ot tue EtduiuB y Uilc OF LODI
don could have told you that the Hon.
Charles Bingham was a man seventy
years old: that he had wealth; that he
was democratic and rode around on top
Of omnibuses: that he had fads; that
the greatest Of his fads was picking up
relics and presenting them to museums
Of natural history throughout the king
dom. There was seldom week that
bis name was not in the papers, and EN-
ter any museum you might and you
would be sure to run across cases label
ID with his name and filled with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon. BIng-
ham had sent expeditions to the four
quarters Of the globe, and the only
reason he had not purchased some Of
the largest pyramids of Egypt was be-
ton. II the chief of an African tribe
had warclubs for sale the Hon. Bing-
ham bought them; II a child in the east
end Of London found petrifed bone 1t
could be turned into cash in twenty
four hours.
Hundreds Of persons had taken the
Hon. Charles Bingham for an easy
mark and sought to work him. Man,
woman or child could fnd access to his
house at any hour Of the day. but as
for taking the old man in with imita-
lions, that was different. He had made
q few mistakes early In his career, ~
might have been expected, but after he
had passed nifty his decisions settled
the question with all museums In Eu-
rope. There was q weak spot In the
armor, however. and 1t was curious
that no one found II out for many
years.
One day there came to London an
American who had been exploring the
Nile for years. He had letters from
American and British consuls abroad.
H eysa had oas kfom IL secretary Of
he khsdive himself. He had gathered
many wonderful things during his stay
o. the banks Of the historic stream.
Hs must have known of the Hon.
Charles Bingham, but he did not call
upon the man or open correspondence.
He dropped in at q club or two, said.
very little. charmed everybody with his
modesty and refused all interviews
with reporters. It was not until the
Hon. Charles had sent one messenger
and then written a letter over his own
signature that Explorer Blake grudg-
ingly consented to a meeting. At that
meeting he named a few Of his souve-
Mrs. but only few. Nothing whatever
was for SALE The whole bag was to go
10 the New York Museum Of Natural
History.
The attitude Of Explorer Blake was
churlish, and yet after few days he
softsnsd enough to invite the Hon.
Charles to a private inspection Of his
treasures. This Invitation would not
have been extended to any other man
In the world. He appointed the hour
when he would call with a carriage, and
b. was there to the minute. 1t was the
general idea that his stock Of hnds was
In 4 warehouse. and he was supposed
to be stopping at hotel, but no one
was certain Of these things.
The Hon. Charles didn't care where
b. was taken, 20 long a. the relics Of
the Nile were at the other end Of the
journey. He paid no attention to the
streets they passed through and very
little to the house at which they finally
arrived. He was ushered to the top
story, talking as he went, landed In a
room about twelve feet square lighted
by q skylight, and when he looked about
for the stock In trade he failed to find
II. The only furniture in the room
was two old chairs. Explorer Blake
took one and lighted q cigar, and the
Hon. Charles took the other and won-'
dsred what was coming next. He soon
ascertained.
my dear sir, shall be very sorry to
put you to any trouble" began the ex-
pIorer, ''but the fact IL I am hard up
and must raise s26, 5000. That IL 5000
In your money. 1 don't want to turn
burglar or murderer want to be
gsntle and nice about It."
"How long have you been planning
this thfngr asked the Hon. Charles 40
he looked around the empty room and
''tumbled" 10 the fact that he had been
taken in.
"All Of six months, and It has cost
me considerable hard cash."
"And ysur figure IL $4,000, Is itf
mot a penny less. When you have
given me check for the amount and
the same has bsen cashed. you will b.
restored 70 liberty. shall not demand