Evening Star Newspaper, August 14, 1927, Page 72

THE SUNDAY STAR.” WASHINGTON, D.” ¢, AUGUST 1%, Rambler Finds Early Washington Had Many Rival Amusements Some Former Leaders in Theatrical Field Achieved Much for Stage HE Rambler has recelved a note from John B. Randolph, assistant chief clerk of the War Department, inclosing a letter and theater program from William_Sevmour, the actor, Here is Col. Randolph’'s note: “The | inclosed speaks for itself, and the pro- gram I am sending vou, if it is ac- ceptable, for vour archives. I have written Mr. Sevmour. Sincerely. B. R.” Following is Mr. Seymour's | Jetter to Col. Randolph: “Clamavi Tower: outh Duxbury, Mass. “Dear Marse John: I wrote vou| vesterday, and this may serve as a| ®ort of postscript. I found this old pro- | gram, among many others, and it he- | ing a duplicate, and of Washington | and a theater which 1 cannot place, and just a month before the assassina- tion of President Lincoln. I thought it might be of interest to Mr. Shannon | or Mr, Hall, through you. 1 believe | every member of the cast has ‘gone beyond.! 1 knew them all. The W. arron is the brother of my old Bos ton Museum associate, Charles Bar- ron. who a few years before had been leading man at_Grover's National Theater—1865-1927—a lot of watey hos flowed under the bridge of time! ‘The writing on the back of the play hill is E. L. D’s L. Davenport), but hag no significarve to me. I used to play Sir Fresrick Blount— 1. L. D’s character— with Lawrence Rarrett eight yvears later, and at the Roston Museum later still. Rose tinge and Blanche Grey acted the ding parts in Augustin Daly’s first duction of ‘Under the Gas Light.' in New York City in 1 1 saw the perf T am not sure of reach- ing either Mr. Shannon or Mr. Hall, | it thought you'd enjoy seeing the | v bill. Raining hard here today cold (Tune 20). God bless | temembrance to vou all. Af- fectionately and sincerely WILLIE SEYMOUR. | u remember the W nshlngm"i At the top of the old bill is printed: “Washington Theater, 11th street, near Pennsylvania avenue.” I will hand the old hill to the S8unday editor for reproduction on this page. Advertisements Which the Rambler has found in old Mewspapers give the Jocation of the theater as Eleventh and C streets. Y will make you a story of this theater and will also show you bills of plavs you saw in vour youth. These bills will be taken from the collection of Edward Scan- lon, which the largest collection of Washington play bills T have seen. There are a thousand of them, and it is my belief that Ed saw each show and got the playbills in the regular TUH Rambler's old friend, A. Igna- tius Mudd, wrote a paper enti- tled “Early Theaters in Washington and read it at a meeting of the Columbia Historical Society January 7, 1901. He wrote: “The facts stated in this paper were gleaned mainly from the files of the National Intelli- gencer.” Part of what Mr. Mudd, gathered concerning the Washington ‘Theater follows: “Early in 1803 a number of promi- ment citizens of Washington met and opened subscriptions for the purpose of building a theater. At a meeting of the subscribers held at Tunnicliff’s * X ok % | ging, | highly April 20, 1803, a number of offers of | donation of ground were considered, a site was selected and arrangements | made for erecting the building. The site selected was the northeast corner of Eleventh and € streets northwest fronting 135 feet 4 inches on Eleventh street and 64 feet on C street. This site is now occupied by Kernan's Lyceum. t that meeting, in the subscriptions of money, ber of persons subscribed labor, dig carpentering. plastering, etc. The ‘shares were placed at §40 each | and on May 4 the subscribers were called on to pay into the hands of Maj. John P. Van Ness, chairman of ‘the building committee, on the 10th of that month. the first install- | ment of their subscription, being one- | fitth. or ten dollars on each share. | “Ground was hroken early in June | and the second installment was called | for, to be paid June 10. The third | jand fovrth installments were soon re | quested to be paid, and those persons who had failed to respond 1o the first and second calls were urged to do so at once. Reports were circulated { which were caleutated to injure the project and shake the confidence of the subscribers in their building com- mittee. A meeting of the stockhold- ers called by the building committe was held at Lovell's Hotel, Wednes- July 20, 1803, to which the com- eo made a report of the progress of the work and also as to their man. agement of the affairs intrusted to them. A resolution was adopted, re- citing that the stockholders were satisfied with the progress which had heen made in erecting the theater; that the committee deserved the thank= of the meefing: that the building had progressed as expedi- tiously as eould have been expected. and that the reports were unjust and highly disapproved. “On August 1 the subscribers were requested to hand in their fAifth and last installment, und those who were | delinquent in hoth money and labor subseriptions were urged to come fors ward at once and make payment, so that the building might be finished with the dispatch which was particu- larly desirable. In June, 1804, the theater committee called a meeting of the subscribers and other gentlemen desirous of promoting the building of the _theater. This meeting was held at Rhodes’ Tavern and was organized by calling Hon. Robert Brent, Mayor of Washington City, to the chai Stanley Byus was appointed secretary. “After the committee had made a report of the progress of the work a resolution was adopted providing for the appointment of a hoard of di- rectora to continue in office one year, The resolution also provided that the hoard should immediately proceed to raise, by such means as they should deem eligible, the necessary funds, and thenceforth apply the same to the completion of the building, and to procure a dramatic company when the prospects respecting the comple- tion of the theater should in their opinions warrent the same. “The following hoard of directors was then elected: Maj. John P. Van Ness, Samuel Harrison Smith, Robert Brent, William Brent and Thomas Law. The subscribers were slow in responding to the requests of the com- mittee for payment of their subserip- tions, and on August 4, 1804, an ur- dition to | num Hotel on the night of Wednesday, gent appeal was made by the directors to all money’ to who had subseribed labor the superintendent of the wor work_out _their provide addi the work the directors held _October of 12 free tickets at $200 each, half to be paid in shares previously subscribed or seribed and subject to redemption holders of the theater, or signe, at seve hundred doilars, possible and pleted early was opened Friday der the name the Wednesday, the inclemency of the weather. initial Fvers Fomntngs OF PrCu R Tasdas rmm Devommbec . ot satantay Moshcr Enber vhe musasomnt of MR. CHARLES ABBOTT, PANWSTING W GLOTS 12 KLY, Wiziince aturdss. IMAceiE MiTcHELL And Her New Dramatic Company, WASHlNGTUN THEATRE 1t Semwer, Noan Pevssns ER THE MA! .wn.. J.W. Will e presentod E. Bnlw [FARCHOR, the Gricket. Cast of Characters. { Twia, | BARKFAUD ARLARD. LANDRY Do AT RO, AT S e AT LD Sorhi FATKY HOWARD. EOWARD 4 R P, Mo . W, VEYO ¥ i Synopsin of Gcines, he Shatun Webshinay Erann Tuvmer Berxove E TO TONY oM o Frankin FRIDAV NIGHT— HOW SHE LOVES HIM. LAST NIGHT BUT TWO OF THE GRAND COMBINATION. This 'lhurndav Evening, m AR vazia Avexce. 3 AGEMENT E.L. DAVENPORT AND WALLACK. soL March 15th, uiés & Elozant Cone WO IALE 5 RODERICK FAVE, who e MARMADUK! EUNICE FAY) n Edward €. Kidder’ = ) U SMITH RUSSELL. . it m Comndy b.\mn" A POOR RELATION CAS See oF (u\nu Genins lt~, V. S0L SMITH RUSSELL K JASPER STERKETT, 1. - #SOCIABLE " SNITH, B OHALEY. « £ the s B, the he DOLLY PAVE, ber Stepdangiies, ALICE WARRINER, he Forshi: “ SCQLLOPK,” the Terwe of the RIF... i b Mo CRACK FILKINS i LULLIAN DWES Wk MEKKL OSRURN o3ty EasTEY g CHARCRL g e ALK HAZLY SATURDAY NIGHT—FAREWELL BENEFIT OF €. L. DAVENPORT AND J. W. WALLACK ! “STILL WATERS RUN DEEP." ot dol Boors open a to can e & & ONQUER \|.|m GH'S o, RewemrL e e s, Faso. G. RATION, OPERA HOUSE BILLS ARE FROM COL. 3 T ety ot 5 Pt ACT 51 £ACT 112 e Aol b o e W 1 B e, Brivn.. Mansge: Soome D Susicat 1 NEXT K WEEK, persons who had subs to make immediate payment, those who had subscribed mat als to furnish them, and to tho shares. In or onal funds to exp at a meeting 2, resolved to one- thereafter to the other half by be sub- in the stoc! their a or after the expiration of ars, on the repayment of two “Work was pushed as much as the theater was com- in November, 1804, It ovember 16, un. ‘Washington Theater, being postponed fr the 14th, on account opening o performance ‘Grand Medley consisted of a ntertainment by the celebrated Mr. Muginnis, from London, | | bed | The entert to apply to | tomatons, and | spe to | dite | nightly, | anc disposg | i cash, | gvening Star. “ I volumes at Monda {he found The | Rvan | Monday the eccent had performed in most of the s of Kurope and America.’ inment_was composed of . magic, dancing and acting, au- mechanical pictures and Mr. Maginnis va- of his exhibition his last perform- 1804, who capital acular effects. e features and gave , December 17, * K ok ok ried ~H ambler will leave Mr. Mudd's story and turn to the file of The Opening one of the October 18, 18 under “Amusements” the notices that follow: “Washington Theater: “All Glitters i Not Gold,” and “Robert Macaire,” is the bill tonight at this resort. In the first play Kate Denin appears as Martha Gibbs, A, H. Day- enport as Stephen Plum, Sam Ryan | as Tohy Twinkle, Viola Crocker Lady Valesia. In the latter play Dav- enport appears as Robert Macaire and as jacques Strop. On next c performer, F. 8. {of Mr. that | | wilt Chanfrau, apy ‘ord’s New Tenth Street Theater | nids farewell Ford, leesce and manages Humphrey Bland, stage mana Maggie Mitchell—the career talented performer in this city h: heen a most brilliant one and she d parts after tonight hearing with he many well deserved laurels and good wishes of all who have witnessed her performances. That the hous be crowded tonight to witness her farewell personations there can be no doubt. She appears as Marie in Vivandere, (Vivandiere, woman sut- ler, canteen woman) and as Catherine in “A Husband at Sight.” Grover's Theater: The éngagement J%. T. Davenport, which has| been all too short, terminates this evening. At his last appearance he perform in Bulwer's celebrated drama, Richelien, and will he sus- ained hy Grover's entire splendid | ompany, “Wanted: 1,000 Milliners,” with Setchell as Madam Vanderpants concludes the entertainment. On Monday night the Florences will ap- pear, they having been engaged for | #ix nights. Canterbury: Marietta Ravel tonight to the patrons of the of 1this | will | anterbury’ and on this occasion will appear in some of her most graceful nd She wil together with Julia Mortimer, preform in the “Gypsy's I act which | for its grace and heauty cannot he ex- celled. Al who fail to witness it will | certainly have cause to rezret. performances at the Canterbury are s0. “Nixon's Circus morne Garden, N. Y. the corner of Pennsyl Seventh street. Opening as this tablishment does with such first-c performers as Thayer, the clown and | humorist; Conrad, the acrebat; Mlle. Augustine, May Carroll, and a host of other first-class stars, 7§ muset have a huge success. Rpanish ballet troupe will appear in the celebrated ntomime “Kim-Ka which had a most successful run | New York. Com little companion Col. advertised to appes “Barnum’s Circus: This circus con- tnues to be resorted to by those who appreciate national amusement From the Cre- N in |ish and delight all who behold them. | the also, | The | Iways highly praised and deservedly | ’¢nnsylvania avenue to the entrance | opens tonight at | . nia avenue and | waged painting. s | odore Foot and his | Small,” were also | verb * of- 1t fered in unexceptionable form. Among the most prominent attractions are Tom Thumb, the Albino family—man, wife and child from Madagascar—the performing bears, ete. Dan Gardner | and Jim Revnolds, whose names are always coupled with merriment, are the clowns and jesters here. (ommo- dore Nutt—called Barnum'’s $30,000 Nutt—in songs, dances, drum playing, i statues and comic perform- ances. The performances of this King of Pygmies in various costumes aston- Adams’ celebrated grizzlv in number, including the mammoth _ grizzly bear, Samson, weighing 2,000 pounds. Louisana avenue and Tenth street.” In The Star, Monday, October 18, 1862, was this advertisement: *Wash- ington Theater, corner Eleventh and streets; Henry C. Jarrett, lessee and ctive preparation a new national play of intense interest written by Charles Gaylor, esq., and performed for ten consecutive nights in New York with unbounded success, entitled ‘Rull Run, or the ing of Fairfax Court Touse.” ‘The play will be presented with new local scener: ingenious mechanism, dioramic effect appropriate dresses, ete.” In The Star of Tuesday was a notice in which the Washington Theater was called “Oid Drury,” recalling, of course, . Drury Lane, London, and showing the regard in which the old theater was held. The notice follows: “Washington Theater.—With a good company and comfortable house and some of the best stars upon the Ameri- | can stage the Old Drury must soon | resume its place among the most pop- places of amusement in the me- tropolix. Chanfrau, one of the most talented eccentric comedians of the day, is performing there. He Appears | tonight as Jupiter, the Contraband, in | the play of ‘Bull Run,’ rry | Clip (with_imitations) "in ge | struck Barbe, | THI‘ Washington Theater was dark | after the week of the play * and was taken over hy T found this card in T nber 3, 1862: Washington Theater— Public—Postponement of Opening Night.—Mr. James M xon_respectfully informs the ci /ens of Washington that he has nec- essarily heen obliged to postpone the opening of this blishment _until Wednesday evening, November 5, for [the purpose of completing the most | extensive alterations in a_state of taste and splendor. A brilliant ave- | nue of light has been erected from | Old Grizzly. bears, 12 xon's rd to the of the theat effected artists, Iward Lamb, » An engagement has | been with the scenie well known Messrs. G. Maeder and who are busily en- The management as- ures the public that every attention will be paid to the production of the dramatic works and nothing shall be wanting on his part to make this the most fashionable resort of the cit icient police force has been en- d the utmost order will at all times be observed.’ I am sorry that Mr. Nixon was “necessarily obliged” to postpone the | opening. When a man needs the ad- " and the verh “obli- gare” to age a wound or fetter by an eath, he is in distress, Some old managers gushed words as a gut- * gushes in a rainstorm. Yet to- day's writers feel “necessarily con pelled” and “unavoldably compelled. They are under some compulsion. The Star, November 5, 1362, printed the following notice: “The Washington Theater: This heretofore popular theater will bhe re- opened tonight under the auspices of Mr. Nixon, who has made many and much-needed improvements and such as will add to the comfort and con- venience of the patrons. True me alwa a reward, and thererc Mr. Nixon will no doubt he s ful, for, among others, he has enx three of the brightest stars stage in their several lines, (videlicet, from videre Iltcet—o see) Isabel Cubas. Senor \.mmnn . S. Chanfrau. The program s of the pays of ‘Mike's Boy and ‘The Young W, and a number of fascinating da beautiful Cubas, assisted and the entire ballet trou; The Star, Thursday, Novemb: \lm\zlun Theater: This opened last night to an house with a company good in main. Cubas flashed upon the sta like a brilliant and pleased all her graceful dances and artistic pos- i Chanfra Davenport (A, H. enport), M Rland and Miss Wilkes were also good.” One thrill of Washington, In Octo. ber. 1862, was the bursting of the boiler of the steamboat James Guy. Let me read vou the story. which I found in The Star of Thursday, O be 186 his morning about half-past & o'clock the steamboat James Guv ex ploded while lyving at the Alexandria Wharf. Fortunatey, there was hnt one passenger ahoard, a color dly scalded. The fire riscoe. colored, was sittin heam at the time, and § was probably blown to atoms, as he not ce heen found A the m was found afterward some dis. tance from the scene of the explo- sion. Capt. Entwistle was badly scalded and it is probable he is mortally in- jured A. B. Russell, the barkeeper; the cook, whose name we did not the chimbermaid. a colored . named Jackson: a little child ., who was badly bruised by and one deckhand were badly alded. The piloth with the pilot, Mr. rner, inside, was blown onto the wharf the pllot terribly bruised and injures “The bofler was turned completsly on end by the accident, and the hoat ank immediately after the explosion he accident is unaceountable, as the at was inspected at Baltimore on six weeks since and was pronounced seaworthy. “The Guy was huilt about seven vears since in New York, and had been running on the river almost con- stantly since as a market boat to dif- ferent points and a pa nger hoat bhe- tween Alexandria and this The present owners, Messrs, Stackpole & Rapley, purchased her for $10.000 anout four years since from the Page estate, and have since had her placed in_complete order.” That reporter loved the “since.” Not once did he let take its pace, It reminds me t there are editors who never let a from Washington to New York ve”” Washington to go to Bal- They insist that he “depart.” * Thoms: on the wal 120, word or timore. Mexican Bandits Hunting Trouble Face Mule-Power Defense Tha author-was for some time en- g0ped a3 an English secretary at Taluca, ahout 30 miles from the City of Mevico. Wohils thera Ao’ determined ‘to climb 1a the erater of La Nevada. an active Ipicano mearby.’ It oras on that irip at he met with the gtirring experiences descrided below. » 'BY OLIVER READ, ROM the roof of the palacio of the governor of the state of Mexico I had a fine view of ‘La Nevada, the volcano of Tol- uca. One hot day—the eve of a flesta or holiday—I determined to make an attempt to climb to the top. Pepe was an errand boy who haunted the patio of the residency. 1 had persuaded him to leave his post for three days and risk himself—and hjs mule—with me in my “dash” to the peak. Peyita, the mule, was introduced to me by Pepe in the patio of my house on the morning of the expedition. To look at, Pepita was much like any other Mexican mule; meek and lazy: but she had a little trick—best seen at & distance—of twitching her left hind leg, like an animal bother by a fly. Somehow, the moment I saw her I sensed trouble. ““Pepe. 1 suppose we really need the “We haven't much to my blankets, already rolled, and the caniera, and the field- glasses, and my automatic, and we'll take the little old accordion, as vou're 80 fonid of music, and don't forget the brandy flask. Now, do you think we really need your mule? You might Jose her.” “The senor has not forgotten any- thing?” answered Pepe, solemnly load- ing Pepita. So away we started. Keeping the smiling mountain in view, our road was broad and pleasant for a while, being a well paved paseo or promenade shaded by aspen trees. All 100 soon we came into the open country, where our path dwindled to & rouch cart-track. Presently we fell into single file, 1 leading, then Pepe pulling at Pepita, who wanted to hrowse on the succulent cactus. Presently a huddle of houses rose before us abruptly in the heat-haze, and wefound ourselves in 4 straggling street of dirty mud-brick dwellings. nerging safcly, we descended a slope cleft by a ragged gorge, where great lizards baked themselves on the stones and blinked at me, meanwhile per forming thei¢ astonishing tricks— catching flies, changing color or van- g like flashes of light. A sharp rise hrought us into a sec- ond village, Tlacotepee. Here, on Pepe's advice, 1 agreed to halt for a meal and to look out for a good Indian guide, ¥ ox %o ‘ JE pushed circle of had collected rough sort mained in mule, T took our way through curious villagers and took refuge in a f inn. While Pepe re. the stableyard with the my refreshment ated with knife cuts, hhble of men at the zgered across to me., 1 by his repulsive face, which scarred very much like the table—only more greasy— that 1 felt powerless to move, In a flash the drunken rufian whipped out a knife, slit the leather &rap at my shoulder, and caught up field glasses as it slipped the who 1 at One of a ne wine counter 8o fascinated wa 10 the ““Hola twin tele: claimed. “Permit me, senor” nd he squinted through them. “Por dios caballero, what a long way your tele- scope reaches!” Why, yes,” T agreed, still seated at the table.” “And T have another thing here that will reach quite as far!"” and 1 dropped my hand to my coat pocket. Hor the rabble fell back at my gesture! The braggart, grinning fool- ishly, lurched toward me with the binoculars. At the same moment 1 caught sight of Pepe’s startled face at the door. “Thanks, my man,” T said, “but have the kindness to hand them to my mozo ther Take this, too, Tepe,” 1 added, Arawing the auto matie from my pocket and tossing it o him. "I shall not need it now.” Relieved of the coveted “telescope™ by Pepe (who was bold enough now cope” he ex: Mountain Tr;p by Visitor Is Enlivened by Persecution When Drunken Native Attempts to Get Revenge—Unusual on»Return Journe_v. and Unique Method of Meeting It Is Discovered—Hang by Breaking Rope. Emergency Arises he had the pistol), the bravo leered at me evilly and quitted the cantina, fo lowed by the jeers of his fellows. From these 1 heard murmurs of “Gringo loco” (mad foreigner), but 1 noticed they respectfully made way at the counter for Pepe, and I was allowed to finish my corn bread and black coffee in peace. No sooner were we on the road once more and out of earshot of the cut- throats haunting the tavern than Pepe gave me back the pistol, “Senor,” he said reproachfully, “you forgot to load it!” Well, one al vs forgets something on these expeditions, and I discovered 1 had omitted to bring my cartridges. * X ¥ X ERF: long the setting sun threw our lengthening shadows on the sandy foothills at the base of La Nevada. Well pleased with my day's march, before the swift twilight passed 1 found a_snug hollow in the mountain- side and pitched camp for the night, While Pepe portioned out our little store of provisions, 1 took the field glasses and climbed a spur to view the voleano hy moonlight, my impatience urging me to apy out a jrack by which we might climb the snowbound sldes. After supper 1 op The music echoed and re-echoed in the deep mountain silences. As 1 played, I hecame vaguely aware of strange shadows hovering about our retreat. When T had finished, into the moonlight stepped half a dozen robed figures. My alarm was short lived. The in- trnders turned out to be Chichimec Indians, a tribe- almost extinet, from a tiny settlement hid in the hills. Most friendly folk when we gained their confidence. 1 tried to persuade one of them to act as my guide up the voleano. *'No, senor, it is perilous. “Oh! Bandits?” I said scornfully ‘The Chichimec flushed and his fin- gers touched his knife belt. 0, senor,” he answered with a noble pride that reproved me. *I the mountains it is not man we fea it is the mist. 1f the =enor loves life he will not climb the Snow Mountain tomorrow.” As mysteriously as our visitors had come, &9 they departed—like spirits from a Jong-past Aztec age. 1 awoke very much alive in the{ rarefied, wine-like air. to rub my eyves | at the vision of the dawn descending the mountain and dressing in purple : and gold the peak 1 had set out to | conauer. imp about, sun!” 1 sang out. {the mule, and away we go! enor—and the, mist?” murmured Pepe, shivering. as he blew a twig fire into flame to boil the water for chocolate, Mist be blowed!” English. Coming to a sheltered | bade Pe unburden the tether her safely until our return. So far we had not met a single soul, al- though Pepe continued to watch out for brigands or so-called revoltosos, * ¥ % % HILE Pepe was tying up the mule 1 looked about for the least per ous track 1o take us up the remainder of the 1,500 feet to the summit. Soon he rejoined me and we climbed boldly up, very hopetully, it slowly. Presently the ascent becoming la- i borious, Pepe surprised me by pulling an end of rope from his loose hlouse, T grasped i, Pepe began to spin jaround like a teetotum. A coil of rope unwound from him and fell at my feet. What is this for?” I asked. Promptly Pepe threw one end over me and tied the he said. “At this time Pepe! Tlere “RBreakfast the | ack I answered in | plateau, 1 mule and noosed other lround his own waist. “'In case the senor should slip,” he explained. THE GUN BARREL WAS DIRE: ' RASCAL AT THE MULE 'S HEAD CAME HORRIBLY CLOSE. To encourage him to come on, T sented to tie my rope. In this one of the lower r From this eleva n- hion we conquered nges of pei j &limpse of the crater of the summit—our surveying with the glasses and ping out a possible rout tled me by observing that abandon the climb and get down quickly or we should find ourseives enveloped in the deadly creeping mist. Certainly the atmosphere had grown chill and rather clinging, but we had some hours of daylight hefore us, I assured Pepe, and 1 had set my heart on reaching the mountain top and was not going to “climb down’—in a dou- ble sense. No, never! ‘‘Adel cried (which Is Spanish for k As T cried “Adelante!” clapping Pepe on the back meanwhile to stir his Spanish pride, the peak under my feet moved, or else one of us—I think it was_Peps—overbalanced. While my boastful cry was echoing in the vast stillness. crashing down one side of the peak until my fall was stopped by the rope to which | was tied was sudden and painful, jerking the last breath out of me. Soon, howevy the numbing effect of the shock passed, we must nte” 1 still |and I wax happy to find myself still alive and kicking. 1 was in a splendid position to view the situation, and [ found that actu- ally T had tumbled only a few feet— half the length of the rope, in short; the Peak being just above me, with . elf (o the end of his | sior!). | 1 went | The stoppage | Pepe at the other extremity of roj ngling down the opposite side. |So much’ 1 guessed from his yells, which now reached me. There we swung, sluing frem the | peak by the slender rope, a pretty pair of mountaineci While I steadied myself and turned my face to' the 'k, seeking a foothold, not a act of my past life fashed h my brain; my only thoughts were for the safety of Pepe and my camera and whether we could be seen from helow by any chance travelers— or by Pepita the mule! With lite hanging literally by a few threads, it was a time for action, not | for thought. Digging my toes into the rock, I began to haul myselt up hand over hand, It sounds a simple per- formance, but at an altitude of some 15,000 feet the least exertion leaves one exhausted. Up I went, like a | snadl. As T climbed T became aware of a strong pull on the rope from Pepe's | side, ~ He had found a foothold—a ledge of yock, I guessed—and was now trying to puil me up into safety. All at once 1 felt the line give a little and heard a slight sound that sent me into a cold sweat, The rope breaking. The strands were be- ing sawn through by the sharp edges of the rock! And 1 was &0 near to the top—so near! One more reach upwards! Did I dare? [ must—I did! One more grasp at the rope ahove my head; my right hand clutched at the peak top Crack went the rope again! I let the | | the glorious g0 of it and flung out my left hand half blindly, secured a precari- ous hold and drew myself up to the level, to drop for face to the &round and lie like a ha Person in a spasm of gasping. A moment later Pepe was kneeling at my side, unhitching the rope. IHe raised me slightly, easing my fight for breath, snor, take (hi urged Pepe, pull- ing from his pocket a little Tump of crude brown stgar. Yes!y and he forced it between my lips. The stuff nearly choked me, but the effect was ma little while T felt as if I had had a good pull at the cognac flask, “Always take sugar up the moun- tain, senor,” said Pepe, offering me iother scrap, which 1 ate greedily. Then, tossing the end of the cord into the chasm, he added, “Wind drive the mist down, senor.” i White tails of vapor were now visible floating over the valley and collecting in the pockets of the hills. (azing ac the gorge or split in the mountain that lay hetween us and the highest slope of La Nevad: I noted that the apex was no longer shirp and clear, being obscured by a white film. As I looked through the glasses vistas of semi-tropic country rolling toward the south and the less luxurious reglons stretching north no longer delighted the eve with their sharp contrasts, 1 decided to turn back. Our return to Tlacotepec was with-| " f-drowned | out any further thrill. As we swung into the village, its sunhnked ugliness now softened by the moonlight, Pepe’s solenin eyves questioned me. “Oh, that ruffian with the sca | He won't molest us again,” I assured Pepe, halting at the inr Content to take my refreshment unhindered, I saw nothing to suspect in the unusual quiet during my short v of the habitues at the bar. Or I put it down to their natlve politeness in the absence of the nc rags with the scar. What did strike me was the sight of Pepe In the dim p: ze leading from the yard, whisper- with a hlack-haired ‘wench. “He's soon_ forgotten his fears” I thought, catching his eve. He glided up 1o me. In a mysterious tone he informed me— enor, to truth, the caballero with the scar is sadly offended. e has sworn to make you deliver up to him the telescope.” Pepe touched the binoculars, which 1 had ied in my pocket since the. strap was cut. 1 sprung up. “Where is he, the bandit?” 1 cried, the wine in my tired state having perhaps gone a little to my head. Then, laughing at my own foolish outhurst, I tossed Pepe a note (o settle the bill, ordered him to fol- tow, and walked out. Calmed the serene majesty of the night as we proceeded, 1 forgot my injured dignity and consented to de the mule. Along we jogged then, gayly, until we came to the guich. Pepita’s ears cocked like a hare's in the moonlight and she bristled with |the fivst robker, fear as I urged the sure-footed beast to pick her way down to the bed of the gully and up the other side. As I kept my seat on her comfort- able back, with the baggage strapped fore and aft of me, Pepita became legs terrified and bore me up to the top of the slope with a splendid rush, leav- ing Pepe panting in the rear. * Kk ok © sooner did Pepita plant her hoofs on level ground than out of the shadows came a hoarse challenging Alto” (halt). As though he had sprung up out of the earth, there at Pepita’s head stood a rufian brandishing a glinting knife. In the same breathless instant 1 felt something hard pressing into my spine. 1 twisted around. It was a rifia barrel. At the other end of the firearm— one of the antique long-barreled Rem- ington type—was the leering visage of the man with the scar! “Bien, amigo mio,” 1 said, bothered me by the proximity of the knife than by the gun barrel. “And no The fellow's tongue was not so quick as his temper. Before he could utter one syllable of all he had to sa to me, Pepa appeared out of the gully The gun barrel was instantly re. moved frem my back and directed against my servant, while the greasy rascal at the mule’s head came hor- ily close to me with his murderous knif He made a playiul dig at my leg. which I jerked aside. “Here's a pretty fix to be in™ T thought, while my animal instinet of self-preservation was all alert for a | way out. There scemed to'be no po: sible exit without the loss of eve thing, and I should be lucky if 1 escaped with my life, Picture me stuck on the back of a baggage mule between two deunken iuns, one with his finger on the of a miniature cannon, the other amusing himself with a carving knife. The man with the knifs made an-| other jab at my leg. Kither Fepiia felt the knife polnt or she got an- noyed with the scoundrel engaged in | holding up Pepe, who was standing | too near her sensitive tail. Suddenly down went her head, jerking the bridle from the grasp of up went her hoofs, flinging me forward on to her nack, and then she let Ay with terrific | velocity. 1 heard a terrible thud, ac- companied by a shriek of agony from ace, who was shot bedily into ' Away with me went the infuriated Pepita, frantically embracing her | neck—away into the night, pursued | only by the triumphant ery of Pepe, | following at his best pace, but left | far behind. Pepita alone knows how T kept my perch on her back while she sent the | stones flying under her fect in her | made rush. Through the stragelin: village we flashed, past the huddle o sleeping hous here we overtook | one other solitary traveler, jogging | along on his beast and startled out | of his life as we dashed by. I struggled 1o recover a better seat on the mule in order to control her and wait for Pepe. Helped by the baggage, 1 finally managed to hook myself off Pepita's neck into a more | suitable position. For one triumphant moment T saw the lights of the city of Toluca ! twinkling ahead. Then a strap gave and the blanket I clung to slipped around, bearing me with it under the mule’s helly, The bare second I clung ulindly to the slipping girth was like an eternity. while the hewitehed 2 ng and k from’ the road into the cactus-riddan country. * oKk ¥ AZED, 1 detached myself from the spiky plant into which Pepita had shot me, and limped back to the road. X} i ter Pepita’s tracks alone were visible in the moonlight. 1 had no anxiety to recapture her. Yet as I trudged along the last league into Toluca I felt the loss to Pepe of his invaluable mul The hoy himself, surely, was safe: he had proh- ably passed already while I lay hal? stunned in the cactus. When within a mile of the eity my delight, 1 saw mule with rope bridle trailing. *Pepi called. At the name, the creature turned, and then ‘went amblinzg on ahead of me. Without another thought T caught the trailing rope, leapad on her back, and off she trotted as if mighty ased to be ight again. Entering Toluca T heard belind me in the darkness shouts and runmine footsteps. Thinking my _humble steed w attracting too much notice, 1 turned up a byway to avold tha promenade and a few minutes lter, dismounted at my house me in the doorway was Pepe! “The senor lives™ he cried, embracing me. “Graclas & dios! ou never thought to se3 to browsing, g s “And here's your Pepita swered. her again? pe gaped at my mule scratched his head. A slow spread over his countenance, w sudden horrible doubt seized me. ““Pepita, senor, would find her way home from anywhere.” he answered. “When I got home, a little while 7 there she was: and T hrought he your house here, senor, thinking to g0 at once in search of yvou.” The shouts and footsteps that had pursucd me now grew nearer and turned into my street. Leaving tha surprised mule outside, I pushed Pepe in and shut the door Sure enough, th stood the real Tepita, hitched to the baleony in the patio, meek browsing off a ger nium. Outside somebody started ham- mering at the door “Take this dol “and p and pa and in loa e T saic, tor the De Now | loan of his mule (Conyright, Of Unusual Siz HE tallest monument of stone is the Washinzton Monument, feet high, but the largest monolith in Karnak, ‘pt, being 106 feet high. The highest chimney in the Old World, masuring 474 feet, is in Glasgow. The largest aqueduct in use is the Croton of New York, which is 33 miles long: hut the longest ever built is in Peru, 360 miles in length. The deepest coal mine is near Lam bert, Belgium, 8500 feet deep. The biggest dock is at Cardiff, Wales, and the strongest electric lisht is at the Svdney lighthouse, Australia, while the largest lighthouse is at Cape Henry, Va., being 165 feet high and 3 feet thick. The oldest college is 'mi- versity College, Oxford, founded in 1050, The rgest library, the Na- tional, in Paris, contains more thin 5,000,000 volume st thea- is the P ing three statue, that of Peter Petrograd. weighs 1,100 higgest stone statuc is in feet high. The largest coll Cairo, with _more than dents and 300 tea has the honor of heing the oldest city. The most costly book in the world is a Hebrew Bible awned by the Ger- man government. which some years ago refused the Pope’s offer of $125,- 000 for it. The most costly medicine & few years ago was metallic gallium, which sold for $150,000 a pound, but radium is now the priceless gem of the medical world, selling for more than that an ounce. Though orchids prices that make the pook man stas- ger, the highest price for a sin; flower was ziven for a tulip in Am- sterdam by an enth ast, who paid $250,000 for it, during the fumous tulip craze. The Rothschilds smoke the most costly cigars. which cost §3 each. These are wiapped in gold leal ahd packed in little inlaid cedar-w wd cab- inets. tons, Japan, quently bring