La Junta tribune., 1907-01-12
SOME RELICS FROM
The NILE
BY c. b. LEWIS
Copyright. ISL. BY NJ. NJ. Cunningham
BY c. b. LIE WIS

Any one of the reading p bile Of Lon
don could have told you that the Hon.
Charles Bingham was a man seventy
years old; that he had wealth; that he
was democratic ami rode around on top
Of omnibuses: that he had fads; that
the greatest of his fads WIS 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 he sure to run across cases labei-
ed with his name and filed with bis
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 b.
cause Of the difficulties Of transpOrta-
ton. If the chief of an African tribe
had warclubs for sale the Hon. Bing-
ham bought them: IL child in the east
end of London found petrified bone II
could be turned into cash In twenty
four hours.
Hundreds Of persons had taken the
Ilou- hbihkhah hOa eAA ~-"S
mark and sought TO work him. Man.
womnn or child could md access to his
horse ut any hour Of the day. but m
for taking the old man In with imita-
tions. that was different. He had made
q few mistakes early In his career. -
might have been expected. bot after b
had paysed fifty his decisions settled
the question with all museums In Eu-
rope. There was q weak spot In the
armor, however. and II was curious
that NO one found II out for many
years.
One day there came to London IN
American who had been EXPLORING the
Nile for years. He had letters froD
American and British consuls abroad
He even had one from the secretary Of
the khe,live 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 he did not call
| upon the man or open correspondents.
| lie dropped In Mt club or two. said
very little, charmed everybody with his
modesty and refused all interviews
with reporters. II was not until the
Hon. Charles had sent one messenger
| and then written letter over his own
signature that Explorer Blake Rrudg-
IngIy consented to a meeting AZ that
meeting he named Q few Of his souve-
Mrs. but only a few. Nothing whatever
was for sale. The whole bag was to go
to the New York Museum of Natural
History.
i Tie attitude a Exp,oeef Make vas
churiish. and yet after . few days hc
softeued enough TO invite inc Hon.
Charles 10 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 carriage. and
he was there 10 the minute. 1t was the
general idea that his stock OF finds was
in 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 as the relies OF
the Nile were at the other end Of the
l Journey. lie paid no attention to the
streets they passed through and very
little 20 the house at which they finally
/ arrived. lie was ushered To the tor
story. talking as he went. landed In n
!. room about twelve feet square lighted
L by a skylighf. and when he looked about
FOR the stock in trade he failed TO find
IN. The only furniture In the room
was two old chairs. Explorer Blake
Il took one aud lighted cigar. and the
Hon. Charles took the other and won
dered what was coming next. lie soon
asccrtainei.
MY dear sir. I shall he very sorry 10
put you 20 any trvubIe.- began the ex
Il plorrr, hut the fact In I am hard NJ
1 and must ssisp e2.O0 That is f5.0a
in your money. I don't want TO turn
burglar OF murderer. want to be
gentle and nice about H."
How long have you been planning
this thingy' asked the Hon Charles as
he looked around the empty room and
~tumbi~,i- 10 the fact that be had beer
taken in.
AN ~ ak months. and IL has cosi
me considerable hard cash"
And yoR agure is f5.0o. h itr
Not q penny lese. When you have
given me q cheek for the amount and
the same has been cashesi. you will bs
restored tn Hberty. Z -hafI not demand
ne one of the provisions that you prom
ise not 10 60 tn the p,lic~ about II. In
the hrst plsce. ] have made my ar
rangements ~ d0lge then. and in The
nexs you woav care 10 eive yourself
away ant ~ Vade . laughing stocs
o.
~Yos reasoa besfcnFly-- replied ths
Ifsa. Chasse> as he ai>s IiGhted . cigar
Il have had this hs~se hirpsi for the
last ave mcathe. ] am supp1ssd to be
bacfse.sr and fairly wei -. havine
only q man ~ covk and wait uppn me
His name is Thomas. anA - h an ex