WHERE NO ONE MAY SMOKE

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 10

WHERE NO ONE MAY SMOKE

STRANGER EJECTED FROM STOCK EXCHANGE Let a medal of finest gold, engraved with all kinds of beautiful laurels, be struck at the Mint instantly, and the following stirring words placed upon it:— For Valour.—To the heroic stranger who walked bravely into the Stock Exchange, smoking a cigarette, and stayed there lor live minutes. August 14. The gallant deed was performed today (writes an ‘Evening News’ correspondent), and should surely receive its reward. The only difficulty will be the presentation. For when tho hero was cast out of London’s financial holy of holies, still smoking Ifis cigarette, lie forgot to leave his name. HOW IT BEGAN. ; It was just noon when the stranger pushed open the door of the Stock Exchange and sauntered in. He glanced around him with a friendly interest. So this was the Stock Exchange, eh? And those busy folks were the brokers —the men without hats, all talking to one another about shares and things. Well, well, well, well. He strolled around, full of curiosity. His hat was on his head. And why not? He could keep Ills hat on, because he wasn’t a member. He puffed his cigarette placidly as lie wandered round. A cigarette allows one to observe things in comfort, does it not? The brokers weren’t smoking, of course, but then they had some work to do. SEEN. It was only when ho started gazing up at the roof that the members really noticed him. And even then they could hardly believe it. A stranger in the Stock Exchange? Why, the thing was impossible. But it was so. And when they had got their breath back they raised that stirring cry which proclaims the presence of an intruder. “Waiter, 1.400!” they cried. The waiter hurried up.

In the centre of an amazed of members the man was questioned. Yes, lie was a stranger. What was he doing there? Why, "he was just having a look round. Was there any harm in just having He was escorted out, with a solid phalanx of stockbrokers behind him. But ho was not perturbed. 110 just lighted another cigarette and walked modestly away—the Man who had Penetrated the Fastnesses of the Stock Exchange, and did mot Wish to Boast About Tt.