Untitled

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 14, 8 April 1905, Page 24

Ihe late Cecil Rhodes was a proverbially poor sleeper, and always avoided upper berths in sleeping-cars.' This fact his friend, Rudyard Kipling, knew. One night, on a Cape Town railroad, with a night trip before them. Kipling offered to attend to the sleeping arrangements. The train was crowded, and there were but two berths left—feu upper aud a lower. The latter Kipling kept for himself, and after the train had started be gave the upper to Rhodes, who vigorously objected; but Kipling was obdurate—he eould not sleep in an upper, always rolled ent, etc., ete. Rhodes realised that lie was the victim of a joke. He decided to bide his time. The two went; to bed.

In the middle of the night Rhode 3 , who had not slept a wink, was disturbed by the train stoping and tbe talking of a passenger and the porter. There were no berths, the porter explained: the lady would have to eit up for tlm the rest of the night in another ear. Rhodes looked out. 'The lady was past middle age. “Excuse me. madam.-’ said Rhodes, between the curtains, “perhaps I can be of some service to you. Mv name i* Cecil Rhodes

’file lady bowed. “In tbe berth directly beneath me.” ec-ntintied Rhodes, “is my seven-year-old nephew. He is small, the berth is wide, and if you don’t mind occupying a berth with a little boy I shall be most pleased to have you.” The lady bowed her most profuse thanks.

“Not ai all. madam,-’ said Rhode*; “it’s perhaps better 'than nothing. Simply push the boy to the farthest ride ot the berth and you will find there is plenty of room.” The eyes of the porter fairly bulged. Then the head of Ceei} Rhodes withdrew. and he waited. He heard the lady, partially disrobe, felt the eurtains part, and then came a sudden coin .Motion, and a voice: “What in thunder- ’’ , ’ Then tbe lady’s voice:

“Oh, you bad little boy. You more right over there. Your uncle says— —’’ And in (he commotion that followed a loud, regular snore came from the upper berth.

M. Rouvier, the new French Premier, who succeeds M. Coomben, began life as • drummer for a bookseller, who sold on the instalment plan books of the kind given as prizes to lads in the. Lyeee school- Subsequently he entered the service of a Greek merchant named Zatiopoula, who was established at Marseilles, and engaged in tbe Russian grain Hade. M. Bouvier’s business took him to Constantinople, Odessa, Smyrna, Alexandria, and to other Mediterranean ports, tbe travel serving to broaden his views, and. having acquired some wealth by speculation, he in JBGO turned his attention to polities, and devoted all bis energies to securing the election of Gambetiu as parliamentary representative for the city of Marseilles. Hlaca then he has risen steadily.