The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-16
THE MYSTERIOUS EGYPTIAN.



Used by permls;l Of the auiior.
Cava del Tir.en,, Italy.-During
the latter part Of Jaunac,v, while the
American squadron was hacbored at
MarseilleS. France, I arrived IN that
city after long journey afoet in
Provence, bent on sailing for Naples
at the earliest opportunity, but with
pocketbook so depleted that it be-
hooved me to seek the cheapest pos
sible means Of transportation. I had
left New York five months before,
with the intention OF becoming a
tramp" in Europe, and, now, for
the first time, found myself reduced
literally to that status and forced to
adopt the expedients Of the real hobo.
While knocking around the port,
my lucky star led me to the Toilette,
where the American men o'war were
moored, and to the encounter of the
curious character, who was destined
to become the deus ex machina of this
adventure. Clothed in seedy, thread
bar garments, with battered derby
cooked over his ear. he was seated in
the sunshine on crate Of dried fish,
reading the society page of the New
York Herald's Paris edition and
holding between his teeth big Ha-
vana cigar, encircled by wide gilt
band. Formal introductions not being
required in the neighborhood Of La
Toilette, I ventured a word Of inter-
rogative admiration with reference to
the perfecto.
. "One of the Yankee officers gave it
to me- responded the smoker with
an accent that led me to suppose him
English, though he told me a few
moments afterward that he was an
Egyptian and that his name was Alb
dullah Casmir. For the past week he
had been acting as guide and inter-
prefer for party of American off,
GERS, but now the squadron was about
to weigh anchor for Gibraltar and so
his job was ended. Strange to say, he
too was drifting in the direction Of
Naples and had only a few dollars in
his pocket, 50 our community Of in
terests led naturally to a further ex-
change Of condolences. I was drawn to
MIN from the first moment, but de-
spite his clean cut features and frank
manner Of speech, I was puzzled more
and more as our acquaintance grew
by his cosmopolitan knowledge Of the
world, his surprising linguistic ac-
complishments, and an indefinite air
Of refinement that at certain moments
made his ragged garments seem a
masquerade.
But, whatever his real identity, he
proved himself for the moment an
ideal, resourceful hobo. From the in
stant we decided to join forces, it was
he who took the lead in everything
and it was entirely due to his clever
scheming that we stole a march on
the Messagerie Maritime company
and made the voyage to Naples for
less than one-third of the ordinary
fare. By consulting the bulletins Of
the various transportation companies
we had learned that no tickets were
on sale for less than As francs, and
as such a sum was out Of the question
for either of us, We began to cast
about for some other expedient,
spending the rest Of the day in a
vain endeavor to obtain passage on a
eoasting schooner Or freighter, and
parting that evening somewhat dis
couraged, after having agreed upon
an early redezvons for the morrow.
Next morning, Abdullah Casmir, as
he styled himself, was waiting for
me at the appointed spot.
"I've got it all fxed!" he cried as
soon as I hove in sight, 'you can get
your duds together and prepare to
sail at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
He had discovered,- ,-goodness only
knows how-that the Messagerie
steamer, Saghalien, which was sched-
:uled to sail that afternoon for the
Orient with a load of INDECENT re-
turning emigrants, had booked a
small private party of frst-class pas
sengers for Italy, and would conse-
>quently touch Naples. The company
was under special agreement to trans
port the emigrants, like so many cat
tie, at Is francs per head, each one
having to furnish his own food. At
ter listening to the details OF Cas-
mfrs plan, I consented to run the
f&o,1oon J1-o Skinned