Theodora's Midnight Adventure.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 120, 19 September 1885, Page 3

Theodora's Midnight Adventure.

Madame Sarah Bernhardt is staying at the Star and Garter Hotel, at Richmond, whither she repairs by train after the performance at the Gaiety. When she made her debut, the close of the theatre was so late that she missed her train, and with her maid took a hansom. " Richmond," said the fair fare. "Which way?" said the driver, " Your way, any way — Richmond. " The cabman drove off , and wandered, till after some time it dawned upon Madame Bernhardt that they were not making much way to their goat. "Ou sommea nous? Where are we ? was now shouted through the trap. " Dunno, lost," waa the unsatisfactory response. " Mais je ne veuxpas 6tre loste'e," Baid Theodora in her firmest tones. An explanation which ensued resulted in the cabman, in spite of offers of money, declining to go a step further, his " hoss was beat," he couldn't do it, and made some proof of sincerity by deolining to take any fare. It was now very late, and j the belated Empress and her attendant wandered about until a light revealed to them the shelter of a police-station. They found they were at Putney, and a policeman volunteered to Bhow them the Richmond Road, along which he walked aongl way with them till by extraordinary chance they met a fire-engine returning from its duties at a small nee in the neighbourhood. This was hailed, and for a consideration drove them to the Star and Garter, where Theodora arrived on this extraordinary conveyance at 4 o'olbck in' the mofning. The hotel was shut up, but in' thV early dawn a group soon "collected; attracted by the appearance./ .< of ;■ the j fire, engine,- and imagining it; had been summoned to the great, hotel, t Shouts of fire soon brought the inmates to the windows,; andlthe'idoors: Were thrown open to welcome their gues after tier strange adventure.