Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-10-03
SOME RELICS FROM
THE NILE
Copyright, 1906, by NJ. NJ. Cunningham


Charles Bingham was 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 a week that
his name was not in the papers, and en-
ter any museum you might and you
would be sure to run across cases label
ed with his name and filled with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon Blng-
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
cause of the difficulties of transporta-
ton. If the chief of an African tribe
had warcubs for sale the Hon. Bing-
ham bought them; if a child in the east
end of London found petriied 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 find access to his
house at any hour OF the day but rs
for taking the old man in with imita-
lions, that was different. He had made
a few mistakes early in his career. as
might have been expected, but after he
had passed fifty his decisions settled
the question with all museums in Eu-
rope. There was weak spot in the
armor, however, and 1t was curious
that no one found it 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.
He even had one from the secretary of
the khedive himself He had gathered
many wonderful things during his stay
on the banks OF the historic stream.
He must have known of the Hon.
Charles Bingham, but be did not call
upon the man or open correspondence.
He dropped in at a club or two, said
very little. charmed everybody with his
with reporters. 1t was not until the
Hon Charles had sent one me 'senger
and then written letter over his own
signature that Explorer Blake grudg-
ingly consented TO a meeting. At that
meeting he named few OF his Souve-
Mrs. but only few. Nothing whatever
was for sale. The whole bag was to go
Nat av
History.
The attitude of Explorer Blake was
churlish. and yet after a few days he
softened enough TO invite the Hon.
Charles to Il private inspection of his
treasures. This invitation would not
have been extended To any other man
i'm the world. He appointed the hour
when ne would call with carriage, and
he was there to the minute. 1t was the
general idea that his stock of finds was
in Il warehouse, and he was supposed
to be stopping at a hotel, but no one
was certain Of these things.
The Hon. Charles didn't care where
( he was taken so long rs the relies OF
the Nile were at the other end Of the
/
streets they passed through and very
/ little to the house at which they finally
arrived He was uShered 10 the top
/ story. talking as he went. landed in Il
room about twelve feet square lighted
/ by n skylght. and when he looked about
/ for the stock in trade he failed to find
/ it. The only furniture in the room
] oil .bai ENnlnrnr
/ took one and lighted n cigar. ana the
/ Hon. Charles took the other and won
dered what was coming next. He soon
ascertained.
"My dear sir. | shall be very sorry to
put you to any trouble" began the ex-
/ plorer but the fact Is l am hard mp
and must raise $4,000 That Is $1,000
in your money. don't want TO turn
burglar or murderer | want to be
gentle and nice about it,"
How long have you been planning
this thlngy" asked the Hon. Charles as
he looked around the empty room aud
"tumbled" to the fact that he had been
taken in.
"All of six months, and ii has cost
me considerable hard cash.
"And your figure is $1,000. Is itT'
"Not penny less. When you have
given me check for the amount and
the same has been cashed. you will be
restored to liberty | shall not demand
as one OF the provisions that you prom
ise not TO go to the police about 1t. In
the first place, ! have made my ar
rangements to dodge them. and in the
next you won't care to give yourself
away and be made a laughing stool;
Of"
You reason logically" replied the
Hon. Charles rs he also lighted cigar
Il have had this house hired for the
last five months. | am supposed to be
a bachelor and fairly well off. having
only man To cook and wait upon me
His name is Thomas. and he is an ex
celent servant You can rest assured
that he never will bring you into ridi
cule over this affair"
''To sum up. my friend this is put
up job. have been lured here I'm or
der that | may be forced to buy ms
liberty. You want $1,000 I must con