The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-09-25
A Point Gained
From an lmpostor
By DWIGHT

'at'AA - w "uo Jol Ike
I presume l wrote for the few whose
taste is refined. entered the lecture
field and found the work much easier
and far more productive.
After having lectured in the princi-
pal cities Of the United States during
several successive seasons turned my
attention to foreign lands. One Of my
books was of the popular kind and
was published all over the world, be-
ing translated into five different Ian
guages. This gave me good audiences
wherever l went. and my profits were
correspondingly large.
Having made engagements to lee
ture in Australia. l took n steamer for
Melbourne, but, owing to n break in
the machinery of the vessel that bore
NE. did not arrive there till the day
after the date announced for my lee.
ture. On driving to my hotel l saw
my name posted on the streets with
the date Of the lecture which had
passed. l wondered what had been
done about the matter.
On reaching my hotel the gentleman
~ SICIh SNu III luC ASeASASl H'"oAO
me to enter my name, and l WROTE
Ambrose Pcmbcrton in large. round let
ters with Il flourish under the words.
as was my habit. When the clerk
wheeled the register back and read
what l had written he looked up ut
me with a surprised expression on his
face. ! returned his gaze inquiringly.
but he did not enlighten me as to the
cause of his surprise. Calling Il boy.
he handed him IL key and told him to
show me to my room.
When ] came down to dinner l took
up an evening newspaper. and what
was my establishment to read a report
of a lecture l had delivered the night
before. Not only had l lcctured, but l
the audience.
1t was evident that some II had
been personating me. Either those
whom l had instructed to make the
necessary preparations for mel had
no regular manager ut this time-had
hired a man to give the lecture or some
person had taken advantage of my
name and. having all things at hand
for the purpose. had personated me.
Having eaten dinner hastily l went out
into the general rOtunda for guests
and others wherein the office was sit
uated intending to make inquiries as to
the person who had lectured in my
name. On the way l passed three men.
one of whom was Introducing the other
two:
mfr. Williams. this is Mr.. Pember-
ton. who Won us all by his lecture last
night"
l sank into an easy chair near by
and. pretending to read the newspaper
l had in my hand, listened.
IL was one of your audience. MIR.
Pelmberton,'' said Mr.. Williams. "and
have to thank you for a very agreeable
evening. Some years ago l heard a
man of your name lecture in Hong
kong. Is he a relative of yours?'
THAT fellow is an impostor. He goes
about in places where ! am known by
reputation. but not in person and, TAX
ing advantage of the reputation. draws
an audience and pockets the proceeds
That's a singular way of swindling.
l never heard of such a thing before.
! should think he would be an injury
to you. His lecture vas II very dull
! affair. l assure you"
Interesting as was this dialogue to
me. l confess my amour propre vas at
this point somewhat ruft1ed. con-
trolled myself, however. and continued
to keep my ears open.
LAS l remember the fellows lecture.
which was on the pyramids Of Egypt.
it was as dry as the sands Of the des-
ert. Yours. on the contrary. was as
fresh as a meadow in springtime."
81 never 20 into those details that
are interesting only to bookworms."
replied "Mr. Pemberton."
This latter remark decided me as to
whether or not | should expose this real
impostor. | determined to use the ad-
vice he had given me and pay no atten-
ton to him. In fact. was indebted
to him for an excellent point. The dia.
logue had informed me of what ! re-
quired. l had been 81 close student Of
the subjects upon which l lectured, but
! had relied too closely upon the body
Of my discourse, the information / o n
veyed. paying no attention to those
artful accessories upon which the sue
cessful orator relies to catch and hold
the attention of an audience of aver
age intelligence. Following mi. Penn
berton." l accosted him:
beg pardon. sir. ! believe you are
Mr.. Pembe1tOn. the lecturer. May ]
ask when and where you will lecture
again? ann DESTROYS of hearing you"
"Next week at Sydney"
Il am going to Sydney. ] shall hear
you"
The man looked at me suspiciously.
but passed on without saying any.
thing more. l was advertised to lee
ture at Sydney the next week and re-
solved to go there incognito. did so
and attended the mans lecture. for
he played the same game as at Mel
bourne.
He knew very little about his sub
ject-only what he could read up has
tiIy-but was full Of humor and ex-
Gallant In tho uao NJ nathoa From