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The Brussels Post, 1908-9-10, Page 2131 LL BILLY SLIDES DOWN THE TOBOGGAN 1 (REME74IBER tbat you are of the nobility, my son," whispered the mother elephant, "and do nothing to disgrace your ancestry. None was swifter or a better war elephant than the giant Sahib, your father. And fame has attended all your grandfathers and great-grand- fathers back to that great white ele- phant, one of the finest ever known, to whom, in 1546, Akbar raised a monu- ment—a -tower-like structure rieing high in the air, and decorated with thousands of costly tusks taken from the royal herd of elephants. Thus were your fore- fathers esteemed, and so I would have you esteemed for your wisdom, strength, speed and beauty." With a last tender caress the elephant permitted her baby to be taken from her. And.. Billy, for that was the name given the little fellow by his new mas- ter, found plenty of opportunity to pon- der over these words of advice. Par from India fie sailed in a big ship that plowed the ocean for days and days. But finally he reached America, where Billy hoped he might In time surpass his mother's expectations, Little did he imagine the life he was to lead. This descendant of noble ancestor's, mighty lords of the forest, soon found himself compelled to walk in circus parades; to perform stupid tricks and to stand for hours merely swinging his trunk. Nee wonder 1t was, then, that an ele- phant of lis high ambition should suf- fer. He grew sad and morose, until all the animals told one another how dila greeable Billy had become. There seemed no cure for Billy's 111 - temper up to the time he arrived in England to greet his new owner. who had Nought him from the American cir- cus man, Billy forgot his 'crossness, however, When he found himself at the Franco - British Exposition. dere there was a long, smooth board built just for the benefit 00 Billy and his elephant come f rades. Down this they would slide with a speed that caused Billy to assure himself he traveled as swiftly as his mother could 'wish him to go. How he would dash into the great pool of re- freshing water at the bottom of the slide, only to scramble out the next moment and toil up the stairs, so that he might repeat the thrilling ride! The novel toboggan slide, with its ar- tificial background of the lofty Hima- layas, has completely cured Billy of his bad temper, for he now believes 11e is excellinghis mother's fondest hopes. Painting Wild Animals From Life rip Bronx Park lio:1 house, in the Central Park, New York, is fitted up with a unique studio, which will enable artists to make a study of. wild animals from actual life. The new studio cage is at one end of the build- ing, shut off from the main llon house. There are two parts to it—the audi- torium and the cage. Tho former le lOxil feet, with platforms ranged one above the other, so that a number of artists can work at the same time. About thirty artists can be accommo- dated at once. .The studio cage is arranged directly under a big ekyllght, and when a lion is wanted by the artists the animal is driven into a shifting cage and lowered to a subway communicating with a studio cage. Then it is an easy matter to get the animal from the shifting car safely inside the stale by sheen' open- ing the gates and throwing in a piece of meat. With the animal inside the cage in a perfect light and no bystanders to disturb them, the artists are free to be- gin work. Defined. Billie—What's a dilemma? White—It's when you can't sit down because your pa licked you for going ewimmtn'and you can't stand up be- cause a crab bit your toe. WHERE 'YOUTHFUL CARPET WEAVERS LABORED HAXING cast his line with pre- cision, Hassrn leaned against the barrel placed forhis con- venience on the edge of the quay. i,Xassun also gave neeeep sigh of content. True, the future heldpaln- ful punishment in store, for little Arab boys- may not run away from carpet - weaving to fish, without hearing from angry fathers, But what of its He was ]laving a glorious time now, and the future must take care of itself. IIaeean thought of the first time he had gone. a -fishing. Ben All had coaxed (him down to this very quay, and had in- Istrueted him exactly how to handle his , line. He remembered how 11e had run 'away in terror from tho ugly squirming thing he drew from the water—a thing with eight twisting, twining, snaky legs, fastened to a body ten inches long, and with horrible, protruding green eyes. He remembered, too, how Ben Ali had called threateningly after him: "Coward, come back! Come back, or I shall never let- you come with. me again!" He had returned to watch, with fearful fascination, the snaky legs curl about Ben Alt's hand, Then Ben All, with a dextrous sweep of his knife, had cut off the entire eight legs close to the ugly creature's body. They had relaxed helplessly; the haunting green eyes had, lost their luster, And Ben Ali, after hacking the body and legs into small pieces, had placed them in a bag and carried them home. Hassan had eaten his share of the dish at supper that evening, but he had not relished it, for, try as he would, he could not help thinking 00 the frightful green eyes. Then how severe his Lather had been! "No good, self-respecting Mohamme- dan," the stern parent had seid, "should spend his time fishing, like the poor Turks, when he might be engaged in the ancient and honorable trade of carpel - weaving." TSE DARING IDEA Ilassan detested carpet weaving. It was too tiresome to sit with several other boys from 8 o'clock in the morning un- til 5 in the evening, pulling the fine threads through the warp, to make nice, smooth rugs. Hewould much rather play about the streets until 11e grew big enough to sell newspapers and curios; to clean and shine the boots of rich for-, elgn gentlemen and to assist old Arabs in the sale of oranges, dates and. matches. No longer did Hassan feel content. He thought of the lolly little foreign lad he load seen the other day. This boy, whom Ben AIi called an American, didn't need to weave carpets. The more Hassan re- flected the more be longedto be an American. Hardly realizing what 110 did, he framed in his heart this resolu- tion: As soon as I can, I shall run away to America and not be a Mohammedan or weave carpets." Then so frightened washe at the der- ing of 111s Idea that he pulled in his lino and ran 1101118 to be punished, "Hassan, you are not growing up a good boy, I must send you away to learn theeKoran," sadly announced his father. So: the lad was placed under the care of a mullah, who made him work as hard as he had labored at carpet weav- ing. All day long he and his boy com- panions squatted before their teacher, learning the Horan by heart and re- peating ina peculiar, sing -song way words of which they little understood HASSAN AND HIS "IiIT" the meaning. They were also taught to write and to count. All through the rainy month he ap- plied himself to study, until there ar- rived the brilliant holiday of Bayram. Hassan spent this day strolling about the city. Chancing to be near the wharves when a big stearner came in, he earned a pretty silver piece for carry- ing a lady's satchels. With this he bought a handful of Peanuts and two handfuls of sweetmeats, 'andhe had, besides, five sous with which he thought to surprise his father. But his father was very angry, and scolded .him, say- ing: "Your study of the I{oran has ape Parently been in vain, or you would have known that no good Mohammedan may work or accept pay during Bay - ram," The discouraged parent now took Has- san. from .school, and, as the lad was quite a good size, provided him with a bootblack's box, a set of brushes and blanking. Front this time Hassan became quite prosperous. He could fill his pockets with sous during a day; and, although be was supposed to hand it all to his father, e. few of the coins always stuck in some manner in .his pocket. Has- san did not realize how very wrong this was, Then Hassan became quite e. mer - WHEN the Monkey appeared in the Council of the Smaller Forest, he informed the animals assem- bled that he had: come from the Greater Forest on the other side of the moun- tain, where lived the very wisest of the Forest People. And straightway the Monkey began to impress those about him with the extent of his own knowl- edge. Now, the Monkey really did know a great deal, .hut he did not tell his new associates that alt he knew was told rim by the $orpent,'the most learned among the people of the Greater Forest. In- stead, .lie led the animals to believe that what he related was from his own ex- perience; nor did they imagine that the Monkey was too cowardly toventure into danger of any kind. One afternoon the lelonkey rushed up to the Bear, crying: "Come, quick! I have a strange, new thing to show you!]" "What is it?", asked the Bear, but the Monkey -was. already oft. So the Bear followedhastilyafter.. him. Soon they met the Wolf by the road- side, "Why do you hurry?" asked the Wolf. "The. Monkey has 8 8t1Ong0, new thing to ehoW us," replied the Bear. Where- upon the Wolf followed close behind the Bear. Then they+ mot the Boar, who asked: "What le the reason for your harry?" "The MO1ltey has a strange, new thing to show tie,"answered .tine Wolf, as the Boar joined the party, "Wily are you all so excited?" growled the Lion, when they passed by his majesty's lair, "The Monkey has a strange, new -thing to sbow es; come along!" shouted the Boar. IT WAS A HUNTER.bMANI "What is .this strange, new thing'" questioned the Lion; stalking along at the rear of the procession, "You'll have to ask the Wolf," re- sponded tho e-spondedtho Bear, But when the Wolf was asked, lie re- plied, "I don't know; you must inquire of the Bear. The Bear, however, was as ignorant as they, and referred them to the Monkey, saying, "He alone knows of this strange) new thing." But the Monkey was too excited to tell them what it was. After awhile he stopped -suddenly and whispered to his friends; "Go about one rod farther and peer through the thick- et. There you will see the strange, new thing!" • The oompany crept forward. A mo- ment later they Were fleeing through the forget helter-skelter. For the "strange, new thing" was nothing less than a Ulan Iiunter, armed with 0. for- midable gun which might go off and kill them. When they were out of danger the Lion started ln pursuit of the Monkey; tho Boar flew after the Lion; the Wolf ran along behind the Boar; and the Bear Waddled In the rear—all vowing venge- ance on the Monkey should they. catch him. The Monkey °seeped by climbing a tree out of their reach. But he had for- ever lost his reputation for wisdom. How any one could' be Ignorant of what a Man Hunter loolced Ince the animals of the Smaller Forest could not imagine.. - The Monkey, you see, had for the time forgotten the Serpent's description of a Bunter, and in his desire to gain fame among the Forest People had committed this unpardonable error. Wonderful Map 0 NE of the greatest objects of .interest In the Louvre, Paris, lea map of Prance made of precious stones, which was presented to that country by the present czar, The map 1s forty inches square, and is made of gold and precious stones. T11e gold came from Siberia and theprecious stones from the Imperial Russian mines. It is framed in slate -colored jasper. The sea Is represented by pale and pre - Moen marble, and foreign aountries (necessarily included)—England, Ger- many, Italy and Spain—are represent- ed in dark gray onyx. Some of the gems are se rare they are never found in commerce. One hundred and six of the important towns in France are given, their names being inlaid in gold, and the towns themselves are marked In jewels. Paris is repre- sented by a huge ruby, Havre by an emerald, Rouen by a eapphire, Lille by rock crystal, Rheims by a chrys olite, Lyons by a tourmaline, Nantes by a beryl, Bordeaux by an aquamarine, Niceby a garnet, Cherbourg by an alex- andrlte from the. Urate .(which is green by day and a red blue at night), and so on forall the towns. The map is valued. at $500,000, and ..Came out of the - czar's private - purse, The ]Trench jewelers said- 11 Stith a. map was ordered Prom them they would' charge double that sum. Had Given it Away LUCILLE'S mother had taken her T for an outing in the Luxembourg e Gardens. Now that the -hour—for luncheon had arrived, she: called to the little Orli "Lucille, we will how have a little roll and some ohocolato, and you Shall pay with the two sous I gave ou but a ehort time since," -"Oil, Maine," cried LUcf11a, "I have already given the two sous away to an old wolnae l" I am ao 'lad you have dlspeeed 80 the money in such a charitable Way. How did youhappot to predent lt 00 the 0100 WOman?" asked the mother. "Well, you see, I gave it to her In payment for tw!0 11100 099100," MQir- Tossed Lucille, INSTRUCTED BY A MOLLAH chant. He had grown somewhat tired of the rivalry' and competition of shoe - blacking, where he was often compelled to fight another bootblack to gain a cus- tomer. And when he dodged under the tables of the Cafe Boraeaux to escape flying brushes he was miffed - by the waiters and Waked by the 'gentlemen there. Yes, be decided, a merchant's life was much more pleasant. Therefore Ilassan collected sea -stars, shells, pins, buttons, pictures and skins of the sand snake. Many tourists came to Algiers, brought by the French steamers which- arrived three times a week. The lad made great profit upon his wares, especially as he learned to employ the different languages of the people whbm he asked to buy. So at last Hassan was able topur- chase his canoe. It cost twenty francs, and Hassan. possessed only ten francs; but his father kindly loaned him the ether ten. The lad was so grateful that he ,consented to accompany ,his father to the mosque, where, it must be con- fessed, his only emotion was that of pride in entering a building where only men and no women were allowed. Little did' he think of the sincerity of his prayers to Allah. PROFIT IN HIS BOAT But the boat! Ah, it was a fine one, with double sculls and a handsome piece of carpet to cover the soot at the stern. Hassan could now sail upon the deep blue waters of his beloved sea. Far out upon the Mediterranean Ile would row, until the white build- ings oe the city of Algiers looked like a tiny white spot upon the shore line, and the green gardens which flanked it, .and which also rose in ter- races to the hills back of the city, showed only In dark patches. Then, riding upon the waves, he would basic in the sunshine and gaze upward at a sky that was as blue 0.5 the waves. Much money he earned by rowing tourists out upon the sea. Always 11e demanded 10 sous. And if the gentle- man insisted that the price was too high, Hassan would merely say, sol- emnly: "1'01 afraid, then, you must stay where you are." Eut when' there were sailors who had almost overstayed their leave on shore and who were anxious to get back to their boats to avoid punish- ment, I-Iassan generously rowed them this distance 'without charging more than 4 sous. It was this kindly trait, too, which led to his friendship with Jack Harmon. Sack was a sailor at- tached to a United States tesmed0 de- stroyer which lay in the harbor. I'Ie had missed Ms regular boat back to the ves- sel, and had therefore sought out IIas- san, whom he load hired' upon previous occasions: Now, Hassan had picked up a few words of English, and as 11e knew Tack owned allegiance to the land he so much admired, it did not take him 1ong. to open conversation. "I wish I was American," he had saki gravely. Jack, mulch surprised, asked the rea- son. And when Hassan told of the re- solve he had made years ago, that some time he would ,be an American, the sailor became thoughtful, "Do You know," said he, finally, "you look like a decent young Arab, and I don't know but what I could get a friend of mine to find you a berthon one of our transports lying over there." I-lassan's cheeks flushed with grati- tude, and Jack, Observing how the sug- gestion was appreciated, decided to nuke good his offer. One afternoon Ilassan etole from home for the last time. I11s conscience re- proached him for leaving his father, but he lefta note telling of his am- bition, and promising to return some time in the future. I31s boat he had al- ready sold; therefore all his possessions he carried with him, Ills heart throbbed as be clambered up' the side of the transport, and he whispered exultingly to himself: "I have at last begun to keep myreso- lution, for I am now learning to be an American!" Cracking Walnuts 1\.1sTNOUNCE that you can place an English walnut In the joint of your arm and crack it without difficulty by simply exercising the strength of your muscles. Place a nut in the joint of your left arm. But first conceal two other walnuts in your right hand. Close your left arm, and strike it an apparently violent blow with the right hand, at the sante time strongly clenching the right hand, which will smash the second walnut in It and cause y0V1 audience to believe it was the English walnut' under your arm that broke. Pretend to drop very carefully the fragments from your arm, and show the nut you have cracked in your hand instead of the other, Youthful Criminals Two bad little boys were standing on the street corner, when the boy other .well-dresoed 1 i passed On 111s way to the drug store t0 buy. candy.. "Let's take his penny away from him," one bad. boy suggested to the other. No," replied his wl0lced companion, "it's best to wait until' he goes. In and buys chocolate with 1t and then we'll steal the ohocolato. Wot's the use of dein' extra work?" & 1ac!e oL Q1 k(2 ■ Ti a' n R ON PERU, I have an case--t'he 1 /yl grandest ;Ilea ono could pose sibly think Of!" exclaimed Pretty Eliee, "And what 10 tine clover Idea?" emit tingly asked Elise's father. "Eh, hien! 'Chou Itnowest how our lovely queen, Mario Antoinette, often es, capes from wearisome court life and runs out to her country retreat at Tria- non, where she and the noble folk play at being simple peasants." They matte hay, milk the cows, and they say -that even the ling grinds out flour In a little mill there," "Yes," nodded the father, !'so they do," "And why cannot I invite some of my friends out .to the chateau, father?" Elise went on, enthusiastically. "Life here in Parte is, oh, so tiresome; and we would have a most splendid outing!" "BORNE IN A CIIAIR" Elise's father gravely considered this request, and, to Elise's great delight, finally gave his consent Thus it was that the following week. many little noble girls and boys,who were so fortunate as to possess Elise's friendship, made their way toward the Charming 110010 chateau. In all sorts of conveyances they came, Elise \ herself traveled 1n a cozy chair, and was car- ried from the neighboring chateau. where she had been spending a short visit. Then how they romped! "It's such a relief," merrily remarked Mademoiselle Lucie, "to forget .all one's grand man- ners for a Cline and play at being peas- ant children," Every one agreed with her. You may bo sure they ' wore sorry when the day ended. Andyou may know that they promised themselves similar treats In the near future. But as .Queen. Marie Antoinette.11erself was forced to forego her delightful vis- its to Trianon, so Mademoiselle Elise and her friends found it impossible to carry out their plans. This was because the horrible French .revolution was upon them -a dreadful time when Elise's father and mother and all the other noble ladies and gentlemen were in gravest peril, and were fortunate if they escaped with their lives. Flower Enemies IT IS rather interesting to note that certain flowers have great dislike for each other. For instance, if you will maize up a bouquet containing, among other flowers, roses and mig- nonettes, and place the bouquet 10 a vase for an hour, you will find that while the other flewere remain perfect- ly fresh, the roses and mignonettes have wilted—that 1s to say, they have killed each other. Lilies -of -the -valley also kill without pity any other flower with which they come 11n close contact On the contrary, carnations and hello - tropes havo the .greatest - affection for each other. Yet some people say .bat flowers can- not feel. TED WAS CARRIED ON. THE SHOULDERS OF TED redlined at full length upon the hay. But although his body Was at rest, the same could not be sal} of his mind. Indeed, one glance- at the wrinkled brow would have told you that Ted Was per- turbed. "I just can't do it! ,I know- I can't! O don't pitch well enough by half to beat the Leroy team, And my arm's all bad! "It's exactly myluck to be in bad trim for the .game I'm most anxious to win," ho concluded, kicking out his heels vengefully. "I'1I wager I could beat the Leroy team," sold a voice almost at his oar, Ted looked around in astonishment, but could see no one. 'And Who are you?" he asked aloud. . "I? 011, I'm a Thingumbob—the nicest person in all the world," re- plied thevoice, as a 'luny creature no bigger than Ted'o thumb ltopped upon -hie (Meet arid .grinned in a friendly fashion at him. "Well, of all the little Pereens I , aver met yen are the smallest!" gasped Ted, carefully eorutinizingthe elf, The Thingumbob 008ponded, with a smirk, "And 011 wager you I'm the smartest, too!" - The lad was now ao Interested that ho raised himself On 1118 stboW Tads caused the ThIngumboiy to slide clown into the flay, whore he struggled des - ITIS TEAMMATES perately to , free himself from the wisps until Ted rescued him and placed 11101 upon his hand, ' "You want to be nioro careful!" soolded the little visitor, swelling with indignation and striving to catch his breath, It was all so .funny that Ted found it hard to keep from laughing, but he tried to look penitent as he replied, "I'10 remember hereafter that you're not quite so big Ms I am," This only served to lake the Thing - umbel) more angry, for he sputtered: "I may not ire as tall as you, but I ban pitch far better ball.: Don't bee sieve it, do you? Well, I'm going to prove it, Doh't be surprised when you see me in your hand when you piton in tomoerow's game. I pan get from plane to place in a marvelous. man -- nor. And I'm going 00 ride on the ball and guide it so thatit will curve hi a way you ueVer saw before. " With these words the Thingumbob dleappeared. .Tedtried to make him- self believe it was all a dream, but he couldn't help thinking of theelf's words when ho walked Into the pitch.. 0t''s bpx to pitch the Brat ball against the. Leroy batsman, ,Just as the ball was about to leve his Hand he saw it tiny .little creature balance himself abpht it. Then ns the Upon its. Way yell should haveseen it curvet It. twinee and twisted on Its Coarse in ra r 11 Way that completely bewildered rho J ' batsman, while Bob Tohnson, the -catcher, was so surprisedthat ho simply' let the ball hit against his • glove, Thee was only the beginning, Man after man come up to the plate, only to strike out At .the close of thehaltof the in- 1, ning, the team crowded around Ted: "You're a woldor, Ted!" Cried - Bob. "I'Ve novo' seen such ctirvee! HOW in the world-- old you manage to -practice 111ont? The Leroy team might' as .well have given up right away, -.Every man who came to the plate struck out, Nona - ti co.Uid solve this puzzling delivery, Meanwhile Ted pitched as in . a dream. ile .know it was all the work of the Thtngumbob, and he wag hone est enough to' realize that this wasn't ,playing ball in the tight way. But he couldn't talk to the Tttinglymbob, "r' because the .umpire Would think ho was crazy. Antlif 110 told.tlto ether. playere they would also think film out of his mind, So he centinuod in the bok, striking ot1t ,every bateman Vete faced ]ilea, HOW Choy Cheered Ted When the game was 0001'! Every one imagined that Ted took the honor iii sued a quiet Wee beialise ho Wax so modest, Tiley lidn't lthOse that all credit h0- tongod to rho Thlltgumbob, Who had merely redeemed- 1118 pronlse, en I. that Ted didn't 'feet at all a hero When1 11e Wee carried froth the field..