Page:Scidmore--Java the garden of the east.djvu/234

214 graphed to the resident here to tell the three American ladies who were to arrive in Djokja that he had posted, their passports, and to have every attention paid you. He wished to commend you and pat you en rapport with the Djokja officials, that you might enjoy their courtesies. Then the telegraph operator changed the message so as not to have to send so many words on the wire, and he made them all think you were some very dangerous people whom they must arrest and send back. The assistant resident knew there was some mistake as soon as he saw you." (Did he?) "He is so chagrined. And it was all the telegraph operator's fault, and you must not blame our Djokja Residency."

Instead of mollifying, this rather irritated us the more, and the assistant resident's long, formal note was fuel to the flame.

": This morning I telegraphed to the secretary-general what in heaven's name could be the reason you were not to go to Djokja. I got no answer from him, but received a letter from the chief of the telegraph, who had received a telegram from the telegraph office of Buitenzorg, to tell me there had been a mistake in the telegram. Instead of 'The permission is not given,' there should have been written, 'The papers of permission I have myself this moment posted. Do all yon can in the matter,' etc. Perhaps you will have received them the moment you get this my letter.

"So I am so happy I did not insist upon your returning to Buitenzorg, and so sorry you had so long stay at Boro Boedor; and I hope you will forget the fatal mistake, and feel yourself at ease now, etc.

Evidently the little episode was confined to the