MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6127, 14 March 1898, Page 2

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

An Australian statesman, and one of the Federal delegates, when the guest of the Victoria Eacing Club at Fleinington a few days ago " stole off unawareß," as the story- • books have it, to study life on the flat. Wearing a tall hat, s,nd carrying a white umbrella, his presence attracted attention in a place where beam- hats are unknown, unless when used for advertising purposos, and white umbrellas have a use and a significance apart from that for which they were originally designed. As he was not laying the odds, the distinguished statesman was naturally regarded ae an exquisitelydressed welcher, waiting to open business when opportunity might favour his mission. A plain-clothes constable, believing he 'had- ■ seen the gentleman somewhere before, and '' knew no good of him, dogged his footsteps wherever he turned, which, naturally, added to the interest 'with which the ordinary habitues of the flat regarded'him. " What's the matter,' what do you mean by following me, sir?" asked the statesman, as he turned sharply on the constable. " Don't try to bluff ine, mister," said the other, " your mate's just been run in for the' card trick, and the sooner you scoot the better." The distinguished gentleman, muttering, like the man in the song, "Thiß is no place for me," found his way back to his friends as quickly as possible.