The Washington times., 1933-03-16

| KlQQlIlgIy, puC CanI wall
that long,"
That's too bad" was the
earnest response. you're miss
ing wonderful bridge"
After the inevitable customs
examination, you are ushered
to your sleeping accommoda-
tions in the train that is to
take you as far as LYDIA, in
Palestine. where you are com.
PEELED to change again.
| Little Material
You can retire Immediately
if you are of such a mind, but
Hellinger. has never been of
such a mind. Inasmuch as the
train didn't pull out for almost
two hours, I had plenty of
time to wander around. I
didn't get much material out
Of the mosquitoes, the desert, or
the stray dogs in the vicinity
but I did encounter one in
dividual who was able to hand
me a little material.
His name was Hafiz, and he
is in the dinky little station
as the representative of Thomas
Cook & Son. It is his duty to
see that you are as comfort
able as possible, that the GUS
toms officers do not handle
you too roughly and to make
certain that none of the tour
lists fall into the canal. That
last portion of his duties, he
confessed, was his chief prob
lem.
Over a drink of alleged
brandy at the highly unattrac-
tive station bar, Hafiz waxed
philosophical. He told me of
the many people he had trans
ferred from the station across
the canal to this one, and of
the numerous Americans who
had been most generous with
him in their tipping.
ALAS" he murmured, "those
days seem far behind now.
Americans are few and far be-
tween, and my tips have faded
almost into nothingness. No
body tips like the American"
He sighed.
"Of course" he went on, "as
in everything else, we get some
bad Americans among the good
ones. I have had practically
all of them who have come
through here in recent years
Mr.. Waterman, of the foun-
tain pen, and Mr.. Reynolds, of
the tobacco, and very many
others. 1 never received less
than So, and once I was given
a check for $50 by a meat
man from Chicago.
Wealthy Arrival
did I say never? Well, there
was one exception. One of the
wealthiest men in the United
States"-and he mentioned the
name of the owner of one of the
greatest fortunes in our country
ARRIVED here about two years
ago with his family and some
30 pieces of luggage.
"I took care of everything for
him and, believe me. it was real
work. When I was all through,
he gave me 80 cents in your
money. I looked at it-and
handed it back.
"'You keep it, SIR said very
nicely. I am at your service
and I would not want you to
overtip.'"
I asked the natural question.
Did he take it back?" I in
quired.
"Yes," was the mournful re-
ply. HE certainly did" .-
Well, this third and last train
is nearing Jerusalem now and I
want to get just one little addi-
tional Cairo episode off my chest
before I forget it. When I ar
rived at Shepherds Hotel in
the city, it was decidedly cold
the first night.
Since they have no heating
system in that hotel, I asked the
manager how man kept warm
in those rooms. He was most
gracious about it. And, in five
minutes, I had two of those tiny
electric heaters in my room.
They weren't much good, but,
as long as they were there, I
didn't bother to have them re-
moved. 1 didn't use them, but
the manager had been so courte-
Gus that didn't want to insult
him.
When I received my bill, I
laughed out loud. I had been
charged 80 cents a day-"for
hoo tin0In