THE BEST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1025, 14 January 1911, Page 10

THE BEST NIGHT OF HIS LIFE.

What befell a Princo of Dalmatia when he stole an oucrcoat, wandered into, Clapham, and made the acquaintance of tlia best woman in England—a repentant thief.

, Tho Prince of Dalmatia was. staying •at tho Hotol Buckingham, on what was supposed to bo ail unofiicial visit to j London. Yet it is a little difficult for ,a reigning princo to be freo from all cares of State oven when paying unlofficial visits, and tho - prince wished heartily that his good subjccts'wko happened to reside in London would givo ■him a little peace. -When lie returned !from a rather doleful inspection of tho Hospital, in tho East End, 'ho safd, gleefully, to his pquerry, Count .Bernstein, "Thank heaveu, wo've done ■with that sort of thing'for tho day." Count Bernstein was one of those objectionable persons with unfailing memories. "lour i-lighness forgets tnatyou 'dine to-night with tho olncials of the Dalmatian Society of London."

Tho Prince of Dalmatia frowned. He 'know thoso terrible dinners. He knew .'tho eulogistic spdeches - to which '-. ho would liave to listen; and'through which ho would have to'keep awake. Ho knew, too, that-tho'. dinner could not possibly conclude ,without the . singing •of. tho Dalmatian-national- anthem—amelody which constant ..repetition 1 ; had 1 made' hideous to Alum '.from youth. "Your Highness,, reinembers;: that I gave 'you your speech ready' typewritten this morning." -; -. Tho Prince froti'iied again. Ho knew that speech; he had expressed his devotion to and admiration for Dalmatia so many times that.it would liavo been '. an agreeable ehango to dwell on some of. the failings of his interesting priucipal--ity. ■; ■ "What time doqs this awful function ;begin r" ho asked. "At eight, your Highness." "Well, it is not much past six. I'm' Agoing to have a .-/cigar in the hotel, lounge. I'or heaven's sake; don't come fussing round me I If it we'ro not for -you following mo'about so, no ono '■ would know mo in the hotel!" : "1 hope my, devotion is not objectionable to your Highness?", said the 'count; ; . ' /'lt is like thatjof a wife, Count—ad--mirablo. indispensable, and.yet-■■ some- : times a triflo trying." " -

' , "Your Highness will not leave tho ■'hotel without..notifying me? rc■'sponsible, foi' your Higlmcss's safety." • ! . The ,-Prince looked curiously at his. .'faithful servant.', "This is a strange ;fuos:about a quiet cigar. Think of tho ; speeches I -make'at your bidding, un'■'grateful mail, and yet you grudge me a smoke.'' , "Your Highness," protested tho vcquorry,;. , "I shall bo in tho lounge.. Seiid'for nib at tho last possible moment." : Tho Princo slipped quietly out,of his suite'of rooms in a secluded corner of the hotel, and went through tho moro public part of tho hotel unrecognised. After'all, no particular,atmosphere of royalty enveloped this slim young man in a lounge suit. . He went to the main entrance, and 'looked out on tho gathering 1 dusk.--There , was a little drizzle falling, yet tho street outsido seemed wonderfully attractive to hini. Ho watched,tho taxi;cabs and motor buses going past with a ; /touch'',of envy.; "Everybody. seems to bo going somcliwhere interesting," ho. thought,' "and •1,. for my-sins,i-ani coiidoinncd to , the National Anthem .of JDaltnatia." , Two stout men, talking' loudly about ...the Gorman menace, 'came into the hotel, and tho Prince, ■ interested in their undiplomatic 'language, followed •tlieni into the lounge. ! However, > a, waiter approached the talkers.'. '.'-"Par-', 'don . me, sirs, but pipes aro not ill tho .'loungo permitted—only .the cigaretto or the cigar." • ' "We're ruled by tlieso infernal foreigners in our. own country," said tho stoutest, mail. '" "Let's get out of this place and go-to a decent pub'.'" ' ''' "No, it's raining.. There's a bar in •tho basement';, where 'they .sell lager. We can smoke>,pipes th'cro. .. Lot's'go down."'

The Prince also felt-an intense longing, for. a pipe,' directly lie* kno\V that pipe smoking was prohibited, so lie followed tiio. sto.ut men ,at a littlo distance. However; I when'ho reached tho lage'r-beer' bar ho found to his disappointment' that ono of'the 'stout men knew the,barmaid ill charge. Tho interesting' political ; discussion ceased, 'and a ponderous, flirtation began. Tho Prince, yawned over his Tager. ■ "Everything'in this'hotel bores me," ho thought. ' "If only. I could get out of it . for tho evening ; but if I went up to'my rooms for amorercoat that infernally dovoted Bernstein would: go on his knees .to nio. to niako mo stay for that dinner. ■ Even if , I mado him put it, off oil a plea of sudden indisposition, lie woyld send.at least two. detectives out after me. ' As if any Anarchist would bother about.me! If I die'sud-: denly, it will bo the Dalmatian National Anthem that' will' finish nib, not a bomb."

Just then the prince espied an overcoat hanging on a peg closo by the door. It. was not the property of the' stout men. They wero wearing their overcoats, and were shaking with laughter at> a rephrteo of, the barmaid. No one else was in sight, and the bar seemed empty. "It'll belong to one of the waiters,"' thought the; nrjnce.; "I'll tip him handsomely when I come back." Ho took the overcoat', threw it over his arm, and left the room. I-Io stepped cautiously along the passage to the sido entrance, and looked round to see if any of his 3»ito were in sight. "Thank heaven! I've dodged them'." A motor ? bus marked. Clapham' stopped beforo him. 1 "Why not to Clapham. thought" "tho Princci "I'vo never hoard of it before. It promises novelty." . The rain had ceasod, so ho climbed to the outside of tlio 'bus. Just as he got there a bis,' 'burly man emoted from the hotel, and jumped on tlio bus. A shadow of. disappointment passed across tho Prince's face. "One of those wretched detectives," ho - However, tho stranger did not eorno near the Prince, but seated himself closo' by tlio stairs Tin? c< ? nc ' uctor f'no round for fares. ( Wapham," said tho Prince, genially Its a pleasant place, I suppose, niy man?" 111 *"•> It s a '0I0!", said the conductor, punching a ticket savagely. "Avcn't you got anything less than 'arf a quid, bourse you 'avcn't! An.vthin' to.give trouble! Tho Prince, chuckled. A litle incivility was a joy to him after n.. ,i experience of politeness, ine bus whirled over tho bridge 011 its way south. An elderly lady leaned forward, and, addressing tho Princo as young feller," gave him her views on tho advancing .prices of butcher's meat. I ho 1 rmco replied sympathetically, and recommended venison as an agreeablo substitute for New Zealand mutton. 0110 by one ; tho passengers dropped oil, till at last'all savo the 1 rinco and tho burly stranger had alighted. 1 "I thought ho was a detective," mediated tho Prince. ."I'll dodgo him at Clapham." Just then the burly man moved forward and tapped tho Princo 011 tho shoulder: "Do you know who I amp" 110 asked grimly. "0110 of thoso wretched detectives, I suppose," said tho Princo casually. ■ "I'm not. I'm tho man whoso overcoat'you pinched." I was sitting behind a pillar, and I'd got m.yoyo 011 you all the time. And when I saw you jump on a Clapham .'b.is, I says to

myself, 'Well, lie's going my way home. I'll let him think lie's safe, and nab him at tho finish.'" ; "Permit me to explain,", began the Prince. "I thought the overcoat Was property of one of tlio waiters." "That makes it all tho worse," interrupted tho big man. "Robbing those poor beggars deliberate. If you'd pinched ono of those fur coats from the swell bars, I'd have forgiven you eas.ver." "But I did not intend to steal. I merely meant to borrow it." Tho big man put a largo fist closo to tho Prince's nose. "If you start lying to me, I'll givo you ono that'll settle you. If I give you in charge, I'll have to appear at tho polico court, and most • likely you've been gaoled a lot of times before, so I'd havo to go to tho Sessions, too. lt'd bo two days wasted, and I'm up to my c-yes in'work just now. Blessed if I don't take you home with mpand ask tlio missis what's her opinion. If slio says a good liiding'll meet the case, I'll let you go with that. The missis has wonderful good judgment. Come; this is where the 'bus stops 1 Get off with you!" Tho Prince wriggled as a powerful hand gripped his shoulder. "And if I won't go?" ho 6aid. "Well, I'll give you in charge to tho policeman at tho corner there." - The Prince shook his head. "Well, come, along, then, and no nonsense!" ; Tho_ burly-man held the Princo firmly'by "the "coat collar as. they descended froin the 'bus. Ho led-him into a side street,' and, pausing before a small semi-detached villa, said: "Now, this wav."

■ The Prince was held, tightly while his captor impatiently' tapped at tlio <joo%' In a minute'tlio''door opened, arid.a slight, middle-aged'woman, whose hair was just beginning-,to turn grey, appeared/. :

! "Why, John!. Have.you brought Mr. Smithcr's?" slio asked'pleasantly, i "No; it's a thief-I. caught pinching my overcoat, and I want you to tell me what to do with.hi.m, Mary." "Oh, dearl I am sorry!" exclaimed his wife, in a pained voice. "Get in with you!" cried the Prince's captor. ( "Take my overcoat off and hang it'up on that peg'there. Now, let's, have a look at you in tho sit-ting-room." . . | l "Will' you' permit.''.'mo; to explain?" began the Prince, in his sweetest tones. "I.merely intended to borrow——" ■ "Stop!" cricd the big man. "It was -bad enough telling me lies, hut you -sha'n't tell 'em to Mrs. Wilson. She's too good a woman to listen to a rotter like l you. -Hold your.;tongue, or I'll punch your head!" ■"You look very young to have come to this," said Sirs. Wilson sadly. "Now, mother! I just want to know what you'd do. with him. If I prose-' cute him, it'll mean mo wasting a lot of timo at that. blessed "John!" said Mrs. .Wilson, in mild reproof.

"Well, do you think I should tako liirn to the police, or should give him a good hiding and let- him go ?" "Let'mo ask him a few questions first. Now, what inado you do it?'.' , "You. understand, | madam," began tho Princo," "I lio'ver meant to steal." Mr. Wilson rroso threateningly fromhis chair. " / "It js hard to explain when your good husband threatens mo at every moment," continued the Princo. " ."It. was a sudden temptation, I sup-, pose?" " l * "Yes; I just saw the coat hanging thore, and it was, raining) so I thought I would borrow——" • "What?" roared Mr.'Wilson. i-. . "You should strive, to conquer these feelings,", said Mrs." ' -Wilson, kindly. "Wherever you arc, whatever you seoj say to yourself, 'I must bo - holiest.' You haven't any work, I suppose?" : "No," said' tlie Princo. "What have you. been accustomed to do ?" A happy idea struck' tho Prince, i "I've done a bit of masonry work,", ho said, thinking of his-experiences with 'foundation stones.' ■ "There, John!" said Mrs.- Wilson, triumphantly, , "It's providential that you of all peoplo should have caught him. . You can give him..,a .new start on

those cottages you're 'building." "He's not done much: work lately," grunted Mr. Wilson, pointing to tho Prince's'carefully manicured hands. "Then the sooner .weitget-him to work the better. Will, you promise to bo at Burton Avenue, at- half-past, six tomorrow morning;"' The Prince hesitated..-He,';did not like to deceive this kindly littlo woman. "Ho'll uever turn up," grunted Mr. Wilson. ' '

"I don't like to say definitely, .madam," replied the Prince. "All! Your'o thinking of your bad companions and the easy time you've had. I know it is hard and unpleasant. I never feel really like wash-day myself. But you'll feel better after a day's work, when you know that you'vo earned an honest living. Now," I'm going to treat you just as if you were one of my boys who'd mado a' mistake in life., 'We'll save yem in spito of yourself. Johji, we'll give, him supper and a bed to-night, and you shall tako him to work in the morning. I'll have supper ready in five minutes, and then ho can havo a good, long night. Ho'li need it, for he's a hard day's work before him."

"You're too easy with him," grumbled Mr: Wilson. "But you always were too good for this world. In mv opinion ho won't'want work', and lic'S bo better for a good hiding." "Hush, John! Wo-must be kind to our guest. I don't know 7 your name." "They call mo Prince," murmured the Prince.

"Well, Mr. l'rince, wo want to mako you at homo while you aro with us. Slipper will be,ready very soon.". "Thoro's tlio paper to read," said Mr. Wilson. "Don't you talk' to me. I -haven't the.missis's patience." Tlio I'rinco leaned back in his chair, and under pretenco of reading his newspaper thought over the situation. Explanations were impossible with this irascible, giant. Hc'thought, that either lie must .contrive to get a;'word with' Mrs. Wilson alone, pr else that ho must trust to luck to enablo him to escape, A clock in the hall struck eight, and tho Princo smiled. " He was in a fixcertainly, but after all it \i;as decidedly more interesting than any banquet of the. Dalmatian Society could possibly be. Soon Mrs. Wilson camo quietly in and set the supper-table. "We're having something that will do you good to-night, Mr.'' Prince," she said brightly. Mr. Wilson sniffed appreciatively. "H'ni. Tripo and onions. It's far too good for him." "Wo don't grudge our guests anything, said 'the kindly little woman. "Will you draw up to tlio table, please Mr. Prince?" . v ' Tlio Princo enjoyed his meal, and when ' lie thought of tho torriblo function ho was missing at tho Hotel Buckingham, his appreciation grew quite enthusiastic. Sirs. Wilson smiled pleasantly on him, but her husband was unmoved, and merely repeated his assertion. "It's far too good for the likes of you." At Inst supper was finished, and Mrs. Wilson said: "My husband;will show you your bedroom, Mr. Princo. l'vo put you in our spare room. You needn't bo afraid ofj damp sheets. There's a hot-water bottle ill your bed. You'd better go at once and got a good long night, unless you want to writo to your mother and tell lier that you'ro turning over a now loaf, and will start honest work in the morning, I should if I-wore you. It'll mako her breakfast the happiest meal sho's had for many a long day." Tlio Prince bowed. • "If I. had a mother living, madam, I. should certainly write ' and tell 'her of your motherly, kindness." "Ah! that's what made you go If you'd a mother to watch

ovgi" you, I'm suro you'd have beon different. You haven't a really hardened face." "Thank you, madam." "Come along to bod?" said Mr. Wilson sternly. "I shall seo you.in tho morning, Mr. Prince. I'm always up to make my husband hot coliee before ho starts. Now, mind you' sleep well! Good night!" ilr. Wilson led his eaptivo upstairs to a neatly furnished bedroom. "Now, give mo your boots," lie said. "Why?" exclaimed the Prince. "So you won't skedaddle. What's tho. good of locking tho door if I leave you these. You'll just drop into the garden and hook it'. Quick! Off with 'em!" . ' Reluctantly tho. Prince complied. "Now, no. monkey tricks! If tho wifo says you've got to work, I'll mako you work—though, to my iuiad,: a good, h'iding'd have, been better. But I let lier havo her way, becauso she's tlio best litt-lo woman in England." Tho key turned in tho lock behind him, and the Princo sat down oh tho bod to reflect. Ho must escape—but how ? Ho looked out of tho window and saw it was raining hard. It was impossible for him to drop in stockinged foot on' to tho garden rockery. ■ below. Then ho spied a water spout, and had hopes. He waited till the thought that tho liouso was at rest, and then cautiously opened tho Window. By tho aid. of tho spout and a creep ho contrived to scramblo down -to tho rockery. However, as ho landed, ho slipped, on tho wet stones, and his elbow crashed, noisily through a greeiilrouso window. A bedroom window was thrown open. "What!" bellowed Mr. Wilson-. ' "btoii thief!" ~ -•■■■■ " -----

The Princo. flew down'tho.garden: as if he wero running for his life. ''Hbjtttrhed out of tho gate and sped towards the main road. By the timo ho'reached the corner ho heard Mr. Wilson' open tho front door and burst forth in pursuit. Luckily tlio Princo .at that moment sighted an empty taxieab. : Ho sprang into it,'and said: "Hotel Buckingham! ' A sovereign if you arc thoro u'ndor half an hour. Five pounds if you do it in a (garter!" The taxi had' just got under way when Mr. Wilson came'racing into tho main road. Happily, a side slip on tho wet road distracted tho taxi-driveTis attention from everything savo his vehicle, and the* Prince, who had glanced from tlio window, soon breathed freely •again. •

Twenty: minutes later the taXi drew up outsido tlio entrance of'-the Hotel Buckingham. Count • Bernstein was talking .anxiously to the officials of the Dalmatian Society, while half a dozen detectives lurked in' tho background. Suddenly the Princo' emerged from the taxi, threw' tlio delighted driver a five- ' pound note, and" ran lightly up the steps. "My Prince!" cried the devoted Bernstoin. • . All bowed low as tlio Prince approached, and the detectives and tlio loyal Dalmatians saw to their amazement that the Princo had returned from his wan- ■ derings with clothes somewhat dishevelled and in his stockinged feet. "Gentlemen," said the- Prince, courteously, "to-night I liavo been detained by a pressing philanthropic affair. Will you do me the favour o£ dining with me to-morrow night?" ' Tho : Princo took tlio officers of'the Dalmatian Society; into the' coffee-room and.ordered;that wiuo should; bo;served to them all.; Then in a neat'little speech' lie drank their very good health and hoped that at th'e'dinner on the follow-' ing evening they would honour him by singing the national'anthem. Ho'assured them ■ nothing ' gave him greater pleasure than to hear the song of his beloved country rendered by liis loyal friends in England. And it is owing to a- misapprehension of tlio Prince's explanation. that the story of tlio kindly, Princo ;of Dalmatia, who even gavo tlie bijots off his feet to a beggar, has become a hardy perennial in society papers ■ . When the Princo reached his own apartments ho threw himself into a chair and roared with laughter. Bernstein stood by waiting for any explanation with which his royal master might honour; him. .

"Perhaps you want to know what I liavo done to-night,, Count? I havo stolen an overcoat: : I havo tasted a new and .excellent'.dish. . I have been offered a, post as-^manual-labourer: I have descondedba; waterspout, from the second floor, -and I : havo made the •acquaintance of tlio .best woman in England! -. Don't talk to mo. about tho'.banquet hero—l've ha'd the night of niv life!" ; .

A few days later Mrs. Wilson received a splendid dinner service, , emblazoned with tlio arms of Dalmatia. The only noto with it was, "From- a repentant thief who is deeply-grateful for your hospitality." ■ ' ■

* "I .knew that ho was good at heart,". 1 said-Mrs. Wilson to hor : friends, "and it's very kind of. him to send'mo a present like this; but if only I could make; quite suro that ho■'hadn't 1 stolen it I'd feel a deal happier!"—Radcilffe Martin ■in the "Now- York Post."