456 THE CHINESE RELIABLE 



artist of the first water. I watched them as they bowled 

 along at a fifteen -mile gait, fancying- it too bad that I 

 should thus be left behind by one of my old friends and 

 one of my own ilk; and, mirdbile dictu, as they neared 

 the outer portals, these were swung wide open as a wel- 

 come, and the coach-and-four rumbled in. Some hour or 

 so later I reached the gates and humbly knocked at the 

 small side -wicket. After a while a sort of little ticket- 

 window was cautiously opened and St. Peter put out his 

 head. < Who's there ?' ' It is I, St. Peter, John Brougham,' 

 I replied, with fear and trembling. 'Where from ?' 'New 

 York.' ' H'm profession ?' ' Actor.' ' Oh, don't come 

 bothering here !' said the saint, testily, rattling his keys ; 

 'first turn to the left, broad road, downhill; we've no 

 room in this place for theatre - folks,' and was about to 

 slam the window in my face, when I hastily exclaimed, 

 'But, good St. Peter, I just saw Lester Wallack drive 

 through the beautiful big gates in gorgeous style.' ' Les- 

 ter Wallack, did you say f mused St. Peter ' Lester Wal- 

 lack ? Why, he's no actor !' r 



This story may be like a jewel of gold in a well, mis- 

 placed ; but 'tis a good story. 



It is due to the Chinese merchant to say that, even if 

 he has no horse-sense, he is business-like and reliable. No 

 Chinaman's note ever goes to protest at the banks ; and 

 the man who handles the cash all over the far East, even 

 in Japan, invariably wears a pigtail. 



