The Washington herald., 1916-11-04

Last evening we enjoyed a new Broad
way comedy. Arms and the Girl" and
after the show sauntered to one OF the
hotels for supper. Norma Talmadge was
there, looking very attractive in an apri-
cot colored gown while near her sat Paul
inc Frederick. charming in purple and
white.
We were all tired. so ours was rather
dull party until Raymond Hitchcock
ambled over for a visit. He saw the mood
we were in and made up his mind he
would drag US out Of it. And he did. He
told Us anecdotes Of his youth, of his
experiences in London, and one yarn
which he says the English public enjoyed
more than any story he ever hazarded on
the English stage.
"a few years ago there was a famous
American prize-f1ghter who went to Lon
don in a vaudeville turn One evening al
fashionable club, a group of the elect
were talking about the new artist.
"1 say. rather surprising. isn't IT.?
drawled one Of the young English gentle
men. 'bnt they tell me this chortlins
would-be actor We saw this evening Is
an American prize hghter!'
Yes replied Dragging, one Of the
very greatest prize fighters in our coun-
try. Why, he's so clever that we call
him the Artful Dodger! And swift on his
Iccl-IHCE0 WASH d uSHlcT III America
who could land a punch in edgewise"
law, you don't say?
Reallyr
"'Do tell US more!
And then, to make the story still
stronger, 1 added, Why that fellows so
swift he could even dodge bullet"
"'Oh. no. drawled the young English
man, What a PITY"
Mr.. Hitchcock, who is a great favorite
in London, tells of his invitation to the
home of an English peer. A late after
noon tea was given in his honor and the
large army of servants had been told to
usher the American actor to the dra wing
room. And 50. among themselves, the
servants figured that any one who de-
served such attention would arrive In
ma gnifcent style and state.
at was a particularly beautiful after
noon and as I had not had a chance for
any exercise that day. strolled over to
the manor. Arriving there, 1 rang the
bell and was met by the indignant and
supercilious servants. From the first one
I was passed to the second, from the
second to the third. and from the third
to the fourth. fifth and sixth, until l
felt quite bewildered and apologetic.
THE sixth dignitary escorted me to one
Of the head buffers, who regarded me
and master and was told almost threat
eningly that could not see him-he was
entertaining a celebrated American actor
and could not be disturbed by any nm
welcome intruder.
Just as I was about. to disclose NV
Identity, a wan smile Of recognition
broke over the buffers face. 'oh. bless
me, SIR hesexclaimed, Hi know hive
seen you somewhere, sir; you're-you're
the plumber?
Plumber I echoed, dazzled BY this
honor.
"'Hi begs your pardon, sir he re-
piled. treating me with almost as much
courtesy as we do the gentlemen of that
surgical profession in this country. but
you see, sir, Hi mistook you for q
stranger, SIR
Lead me to your plumbing I replied,
fourishing my walking stick
Down through a long corridor we
went, past at least twenty other servants,
who also treated me In a manner much
moro respectful than when I had first
arrived. You see, the dream about
plumbers social position is not all a
pipei
IT was led into q most immaculate
kitchen, and there. on bended knees, 1
spent an hour fixing the sink. Really, to
be frank. I enjoyed it; it make me think