RING THE BELL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 14

RING THE BELL

A, Russian gentleman tells a funny story of his first encounter with the English language. The day after -his arrival in London, he made a call on a friend in Bark Lane, and on leaving the premises inscribed in his note book what he supposed to be the correct address. . The next day, desiring to go to the same place again he called a cabman and pointed to the address that he had written down. The cabman looked .him aver, laughed, cracked his whip, .and drove away without him. "v •, This, experience being repeated with two or three other cabmen,the. Russian turned indignantly to the police, with no better results; One officer would laugh, another would. tap his head and make a motion imitating the revolution of a wheel.

Finally the ; poor, foreigner gave it up, and with a great deal of difficulty, recalling the landmarks which he had ob_ served the day before, found - his way to his friend’s house. Once there, and in company with one who could understand him, he delivered himself of a hot •condemnation of the cabmen and the police of London for their impertinence and discourtesy.

His friend asked for a look at the mirth-provoking address, and . the mystery was solved. This was the entry. “Ring the bell.” The Russian had with great care copied, character for on the gatepost, supposing that it indicated the house and street.