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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1909-2-11, Page 6Old remit '474 eluDersie a hey Woulci j9yyl like to Build for himself a home in the treetops, But thlo tale is �bent 0 MAN who liven there. 02 course, Ileis a very *180 man. beQa1J0e only the 1'Vlseet people know what fun can bo haft ,among the tree branelhos. Vane Years ago this wise man t00nd that the companlons111p of people Was. Often Pelt' tiresome, lie could be -better friends, ho 1G0 7', with the birds, the THE HOUSES IN THE TREE trees, the flowers—the growing things or nature. Therefore he became a hermit. Let us suppose it is summer, and that we aro on our way to visit the wise Man. We are in the town of Lawrence. !Kansas. Walking along North Louisi- ana street, we come to a tract of land, Which we proceed to cross. Presently we see before us a ravine, upon the side of which is a great tree—the summer home of the wise man. We should like to be -polite and to knock at the door. But we can't, because there isn't any door. So we call out, asking 1f we will be iscceptablo as guests. When permis- sion Is granted we climb up a ladder that leads to a little platform built in a fork of the -tree, gene, upon a platform just big enough for a box of hocks, a flag- pole and a shelter for mind, Wo Sind our 'host, lip greets us kindly, does General Hugh Cameron—tor that is the name the world knows him by. And then, in re. ply to our questions, he tells. us 9onh0' thing about ltlmselt, tttuoh can he tell, for the hermit is 81. years old. He relates stories of the early days of Ifensas, be- fore the emigrantscame and 'when the memory of Indian inassecres wan lust beginning to fade; he spenee 01 hie ac- quaintance with Clay, Webster, Emig", Me, Horace 08002ey; he tells Of the etre ring days of the Civil War. and of the noble President, Abraham Lincoln. 11 is like delving into a hiztory book. but much more: interesting, While be is talking we carefully , aim serve the appearance 02 the old man. Hie 'gray hair etre0105 down over his shoulders and his beard (wbich he has not had trimmed since 1887) ie tied in a towel. The faded old blue army coat and the old red toboggan cap he wears, be- cause he doesn't think it important for one to spend too much time on dress. CON -PORTABLE ABODE Under the hermit's 'guidance, We now descend the ladder, At the base of the, tree he shows us his winter house,whicle is a sort of shed built against the side of the ravine and exposed on one side, Here he keeps a cook stove and a box for his books. The hermit is e. creat student. spending much time reading. There Is also a sine -lined box, In which he sleeps In cold Weather. Letting him, self in with a key, he locks it when he Is inside. But the wise man's hut is not without modern improvements. He lights it by electricity, and has telephone connec- tions. The phone he uses mostly to send messages to his farm, Camp Ben Harri- son, which is four miles out of Law- rence, at Cameron's Bluff. Here, by the Kansas river, he spends a part of the summer, tilling the ground (using a team of oxen) and tending to his orch- ard. A11 the students at the University of Kansas know him. They call him the "ofd hermit of Cameron's Bluff." As the "old hermit" courteously bade us good-bye, we wondered why other people aren't wise enough to see that living in the treetops isone of the nicest ways to 1Sve, In�1°' 1 Plc 46 OMETHING'S moving in the bushes over there; maybe it's a. snake;" observed one of a group of boys who trudged through the woods. The party halted and listened intent- ly to the rustling of leaves and grass. Then a lad stepped to the side of the road. Leaning over the thicket whence had come the sound, he presently .thrust forth two bis hands and carefully raised something from the ground. "What yuh got, Abe?" came in cborus from the others, as with excited interest they gathered round to inspect the prize. For answer, Abe revealed two tiny fledglings, which lay trembling and frightened in This broad palms. "Oh, little birds! Guess they must uv fell from their nest," remarked his companions. Thelr interest waning, the tough brown feet began to plow forward through the dust. Seeing that Abe paus- ed, they shouted: w EBMAN schoolboys have dim I covered that one of the most thrilling games is that of "Indian." In many of the playgrounds of Ber- lin you will see them rigged out in wonderful "redskin" suits and arm- ed with wooden sabers and toy rifles. Bloody battles they have, doubtless enjoying them every bit as much as American boys would. Even the boys' instructors find the play fas- cinating, and spend much time watching their pupils assume the characters of Indian chiefs. wog! " '"BUT MOTHER SAID NOT A WORD"' IPTOBING into the library, Ruth nestled her cheek against father's. "Daddy?" she murmured. "I suppose you think that now daddy will be sure to say 'yes' to whatever you ask, little girt;' remarked her father, "laughingly pinching the rosy check. Ruth laughed, too. "I do wish yon (would, daddy. Dori see, ,Helen has the grettlest bracelet you over saw, and". --she hesitated a moment—"and-buy, sue ono, too, father2" Then, to Ruth's surprise, her father quietly removed her armee from about his nock and thrust her away from him, Icor an instant she lookedat him, with tears in her eyes, then ehe turned and ran unsteadily to her own room, where she gave way to the sobs that filled her breast. It wasn't that she minded what she re- garded es a refusal' but it hurt her to be treated in auo'h a Way, However, the invitation she received ;for a while the thought of her father's strange manner. Her especial chum, May Richmond, was to give a party, and Ruth was asked to be a guest. "Mother," said she, "let me go to May's party? She writes for me to come." BUt mother said not a word. Too proud to ask iho question again, Ruth again sought her room and tried to find comfort In tears. Yet it was a wretched little girl who took her place at the dinner table that even- ing. - During the meal she asked, 'Mother, give mea some fruit?" Mother kept silence. Ruth could bear 1t no longer. etotherl sobbed she "Daddy! don't you love me any more? Please speak to me!" "Certainly," replied her mother, gently, 'We always answer a little girl who says please.' " Then Ruth knew What it all meant. Oh, I see novel" cried she. She hung her head In ehamo. 'You wanted to punish me for not saying'please!'" she said, through her tears, For anewer her father clasped her in his arms, I{issing her, he whis- pered: Yes, little girl; and I'm Sure you've lammed the lesson,' "Dos, daddyl Yes, mother: I'm never going to forget again." It was Mich a bitter lesson that Ruth never did forget it, Nevor again was she bothered by the little Word, ;by, poet the nexe morning banished _LL'glease". •"WHAT YULE GOT, ABM?", "Come on, Abe. Throw 'em away if yuh don't want 'em." But Abe remained where he. stood. A tallboy be was, loosely put together and with a face whose features were so irregular as to make him quite homely. Yet it was a klndlyface,. and the tender look that lighted in his eyes made It appear almost handsome, as Abe replied: "Boys, I couldn't sleep tonight if X didn't put these little birds back into their nest," The youths laughed at this, and chaff- ed him. but as Abe was such a decent, lovable. sort of chap, they finally said, good-humoredly, "All right; see you later," and went upon their way. Thereupon Abe proceeded In his search for the birds'home. It took him: at least two hours to find 1t. However, when. he had shinned up the trunk and gently replaced the fledglings in their nest, the joy of the poor mother bird more than compensated himfor the trouble. And, In later years, the great.Presi- dent of the United States, Abraham Lin- coln, was still as kind-hearted and as easily touched by an appeal as the boy.A 811Ggiing froml thelrh opitiabd leescued the pllglit, ustice among Ani015 TIR1MA end hungry were Thuile AR George and the lad, Prank, when they arrived at the little inn. They had been climbing all day atruinC 2110 Mountain passes in Swlt50rlarte and SiOW that they lead reached tho 11t210 hotel they were only tee glia to throw themselves down in comfortable ohalr5 and await the appetizing meal they knew would be prepared In Short order. You may know that in this condition of hunger they Were much interested in the work of the cook, Through the half open door they could see him at We labors. After a while the travelers noticed that a nice looking piece of meat was placed upon a spit end hung over the Are. They then heard the cook whistle sharply. A dog same running t1 , whereupon the cook steak a long fork Sn the moat and motioned to the dog. But the animal did not seem as much interested as the cook .apparently be flayed it should be. It wandered away, from the lire. But the cook again brought it back and. motioned angrily,. with his fingersand arms and 8110ul. dere.. DESERTED HIS POST The clog repeated Its action again and again. Every time it: deserted Sts post the. -cook dragged it back, becoming more angry the while. At lastthe land- lord bimaele appeared on the scene, de- . mending iho cause of the disturbance. Tho cook rotated his trouble with many,, fierce ge^atures.. "Leave the dog by itself for a mo- ment and see what It will do," advised' the landlord. As the others watched, the animal ran from the. room. Shortly itreturned by another door, bringing withit a dog which seemed to look exactly like the first. This second dog at once ran to the lire and began deftly turning the meat round on the spit.by means of the fork. "I understand it newt"' cried the land. "lou gee," lie explained 20 7721010 George end 7'ranli, who wore groa2181 puzzled by the incident, "the two doge have been trained to turn the spit so that the meat will be well done, Yeryi nicely they d0 it, too, But they al• ways de the worts in terns. ,As the dog we first wished to perform the task hall already taken his turn, he evldent• ly thought we Were unjust to hire, lel BROUGHT ANOTHER DOfli is willing enough to work at othet times; he merely thought lee was being imposed upon. And I've' no doubt he ran at once for the other; dog, axe plained the trouble to ]him,- and brought him erre to do the turning. Cleve& dogs, aren't 'they?" The travelers admftted that the doge were not only ctlever, but more just,, one toward the other, than were som0 people. el' THE outskirts of Marseilles there stands a little restaurant which has long been famous. Some one who had not heard the story of. Marius Brindamour asked, the other day, how 4 was that this pro- prietor had managed to become so wealthy. And the person questioned, as- tonished at such Ignorance, replied that It was by reason of the wonderful dishes that Marius .knew so well how to serve. Indeed, one of his superb dishes saved the life 01 the sultan's cook: a surpris- ing story, one that has passed into the legends concerning the people of Mar- seilles, Marius, years ago, was assistant to the cook,. Now, the sultan of Turkey was very fastidious about his food, so that when the cook bappened to burn a roast he .ordered that the luckless man be cast into prison and finally lose his head. The cook, in great distress, plead- ed that before he die Marius be allowed to visit -him. He knew his assistant to be a bright lad and hoped that by their combined planning he might in Some way gain bis liberty. A CHANCES FOR LIFE "I shall be glad to help you," said Marius. "But first write to the sultan, begging that you be allowed toprepare for him a remarkable dish you have dis- covered, and that, if you succeed In pleasing him, your life be spared. The secret of this dish I myself hold." Without waiting to hear of the sul- tan's consent, which he felt sure his majesty could not withhold, Marcus set to Work upon the new dish. Taking an olive, lee removed the stone, replacing it by an anchovy. He then seasoned the s Di Lem. u f "HUNG THIS OX OVII11 A; RAGING ME" olive- With salt and pepper and placed It Inside a lark which had been bonedand cooked In lard. The lark he then put in- side an ortolan stuffed with juniper ber- ries; the ortolan Inside a quail; the quail inside a partridge; the partridge Inside a pheasant; the'pheasant inside a pea- cock; the peacock inside a turkey; the turkey inside 'a lamb; the lamb inside a suckling pig; the pig inside a roebuck; the roebuck inside a' sheep, and the sheep Inside an ox. Marius now hung the ex over a raging fire and there suffered It to remain until the juices of all the meats had mingled andtrickled through tothe olive, .After flvo hours 05 poking h0 took out the olive and put it upon a golden salver. • Tide was the. dish that 2110 cook was to present to the sultan. When the olive was given to the sul- tan his majesty was exceedingly angry. Did the cook have the impudence to send him this little olive? Well, the cook s: sheuid.suffer a thousand tortures for his Impertinence. But, unconsciously,thew sultan but the olive 1n his mouth. Then, joy ofjoysl ha gasped with.pleasuree Never had h0 tasted such a delicious morsel. He shut his mouth and slowly rolled the olive about In his mouth, Thrills of pleasure ran through him, And as he finally swallowed the oIiVO he gave a deep sigh of content. Summoning the cook before him, he not only gave the man liberty, but be.. stewed _upon him a thousand pieces 112 gold. "Is there anything else you would ask of me?" demanded the sultan. "Speak, and your wish shall be granted.", • A PRUDENT WISE "Only .permit me to retire from thy; service, 0 most glorious monarch," im- plored the cook. "My assistant already knows the secret of this dish and can prepare it for you as well as I." Thus did theman with to escape ever haV' ing his life in peril again. "Very well," the sultan. replied. "Andre roared rhe, "have the new cook sendme. a dish covered with the delicious olives!". Then there was confusion In the royal kitchen. But Marius did not shrink: from the onerous task. The dish oe olives were provided for the sultan. Bug the delight of the sultan was so great that he died. from the emotion. And Marius, gathering together all the trease era he could lay bands upon, escape$ in the excitement 'and made his way! to Marseilles, 1210 birthplace, where he bought the hotel that is now famous. He Saye he is ready at any timeto- supply osupply this olive delicacy for any one Who desires it. Sofar, however, there has been no demand for it. Perhaps because it would be rather expensive. Houses of Whalebone THERE used to be on thecoast or Lancashire, England, a cottage and boathouse made entirely from the remains of a score or so of whales which had been washed ashore some time before. The framework of the building consisted entirely of whale- bone, and the dried skins of the huge creatures were neatly and strongly fas- tened as a covering for walls and roof. In Scotland there is another building of exactly the name kind. Here the (skulls of the whales and some of the heavier bones aro used to ornamoaltthe Outside 01 the houeo. Whose Baby Was It ? THE teacher noticed giggling ' among certain of her boys, and called upon 0710 of the offend- ers to tell her the cause. Please, ma'am" 58.10 the boy ques- tioned, William says he knows of a baby who wasfed on elephant's milk and gained ten pounds a day!" William," Said the teacher, sternly, "You should not tell lies." "But it's true, teacher," insisted the boy. Whose baby was it?" "The elephant's," replied the boy, "Conkers" Eg NGLISH laddiee find much inter- mit 1 cit in a game played with horse. a v chestnuts, Tho boy makes a hole in a horse chestnut with e. gimlet,, and by means of the hole attaches a long cord to the nut. Then two lads Whirl their horse chestnuts about 1n a circle, each holding on to the end of the cord; and try to have thorn came together, He who breaks meet of his playmates' horse chestnuts In this way is the winner 01 the game Of "Oen Iters." 1111Clie n WQN 41r1 k tO �� rr If rry hllig,when she cries, could to heawerr think . know rhe at h .she'd like P � r long the Miler 1n/ she`d c Hoos 51-1e neverGOLtC��irl . "Ti��t; onur lnayra 8.r ,L� :� zee! ' L!. ,/lc,� G.�1