Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-12-28
by c. b. LEWIS

ZANNAN- AAAAAAAtNAA WIS n MANu ELNINNN
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 q 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 ailed with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon. Bing.
ham had sent expeditions TO the four
quarters Of the globe. ana the only
reason he had not purchased some Of
the largest pyramids OF Egypt was be
OF the difficulties Of transporta-
ton. II the chief Of an African tribe
bad warclubs for sale the Hon. Blng-
hmm bought them; II a child in the east
end OF London found a petrlned bone It
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 lind access 70 his
house Mt any hour Of the day. bat as
for taking the old man In with lmlta-
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 SCI IN Eu-
rope. There was a weak spot In the
nrmor, however, and It was curious
that no one found II out for many
years.
One day there came to London al
American who had been exploring the
Eile for years. He had letters from
American and British consuls abroad.
He even had one from tho secretary OF
the khedlve himself. lie 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
modesty and refused all interviews
with reporters. 1t 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 n meeting. At that
meeting he named a few Of his souve-
Mrs, but only a few. Nothing whatever
was for sale. The whole bag was to go
to tho New York Museum Of Natural
History.
The attitude Of Explorer Blake was
churllsh. and yet after a few days he
softened enough to invite the Hon.
Charles 10 q 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
he was there to the minute. It was the
general idea that his stock Of 1nds was
In n warehouse, and he was supposed
20 be stopping at q hotel, but no one
was certain Of these things.
The Hon. Charles didn't care where
he was taken, so long as 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 Il
room about twelve feet square lighted
by a skyilght, 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 n cigar, and the
Hon. Charles took the other and won
dered what was coming next. He soon
a~scertalned.
my dear sir, l shall be very sorry TO
put you 70 any trouble" began the ex-
plorer, but the fact Is l am hard up
and must raise sos. 600. That is $1,000
In your money. / don't want to turn
burglar or murderer. l want TO be
gentle and nice about H."
How long have you been planning
this thlngY' asked the Hon. Charles as
he looked around the empty room and
"tumbled" to the fact that he had been
taken In.
IAN Of six months, and It has cost
me considerable hard cash"
And your figure is $4,000. Is IT."
"Not a penny less. When you have
given me q check for tho amount and
the same has been cashed. you win be
restored to liberty. / shall not demand
as one Of the provisions hat you prom
$50 not to 60 TO the police about II. In
the first place, l have made my ar
rangements to dodge them. and In the
next you won't care to give yourself
away and be made q laughing stock
Of"
you reason logically" replied the
Hon. Charles as he also lighted a cigar.
Il have had this house hired for the
last aye months. / am supposed to be
a bachelor and fairly well on, having
only a man to cook and wait upon me-
His name is Thomas. and he Is an ex-
eellent servant You can rest assured
that he never will bring you into rldi-
cule over this AFFAIR"
ITO sum up. my friend. this Is n put
up Job. ] have been lured here In or
der that I may be forced TO buy my
liberty. You want fB.OO0. / must c01.
fess that. while the price Is not extrav-
ngant. / cannot see my way clear to
paying Il Just now. What conclusion
! may come 70 after three or -four days