Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 October 1895 — Page 16

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THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SUNDAY, OCTOBEIt 13, 1SD5.

P0PLEWH0 EAT CLAY

tax.es or a tiiavi:m:r. aiioit some Uei:r folic h n k.ov of. Poor Whites In Georgia Who Are SlATfi to the Habit It 1'revuit AmonK Meilrana nnd Indians. Buffalo Express. A little, red-faced man, with a biff black board sat in the corridor of the Iroquois Hotel last evening watching the sea of facs sure to and fro. -He 'wore a black frock coat, broad-brimnvcd elouch hat, and a crutch. His left kg was "several Inches shorter than his riht. He was Dr. James Frskine FenderKrass, well known as a traveler and scientist. Tvo been up In Canada," he said, "and am on my way to Atlanta. Stoppedj over between trains to look at i;uffal. Won-; dorftil city. Growing faster than a weed. Where a'm I going from Atlanta? Down fcnr.onij the clay-eatera. Clay-eaters? Most peculiar j.of,le In the world. In one section cf Gt-org.a, In the country surroundl.itf Millidgevirc, to tell a man his name Is mud is equivalent to declaring that he Is food for his feirow-men.- Not that his neighbors aro cannibal, but that they cat clay. Chew It? Oh, yes; with a3 much enjoyment as a cow pets out cf her cud. Whole families hae the habit. From the father, and grandfather, too, If he has chanced to survive, down to the skinny faced little tot who cries for his share, they all tit clay, eagerly and regularly. This depraved taste fixes lUelf upon them in early childhood and as they grow oiler tho habit becomes 'stronger, until It U an utter Impossibility to break eft. It is more powerful than the whisky, opium, morphine, cocaine or any other habit yet k:jwn. Of course, heredity , has much to do with it, and tho habit Is transmitted from cencratlon unto generation' with slnular rreclsion. In somo plaevs the custom has degenerated Into a ceremonial, while in others the eating cf this strange food still prevails as u kind of necessity to the llv of ttioK3 who are addicted to It. "The Mexican devotees picKed up a piece of clay in the Temple of Tezcatlipoea and ure it with the greatest reverence, and also at a piei- of earth in swearing by the sun and earth. Hut the uso of clay- by tho Mexicans was not merely a matter of ceremony, for It seems to have been an esculent la common use. Edible earth was sold openly in the markets of Mexico, and appears In the I!st of foods given by Gomara. "Cabc za de Vara says that the Indiana of Florida ate clay," continued the doctor, "and that the natives offered him many rnesquite beans, which they ate mixed with t-arth. Venegas asserts that the Indians of California ate earth. The traditions of the Ind'ans of Kan Juan, Capistrano and vicinity show that they had fed upon a kind of clay which they often used upon their heads by way of ornament. The Tatu Indians of California, according to Fowers, mix red earth Into their bread to make the Utter sweet and cause It to go further. Mr John Franklin relates that the banks of the Mackenzie river contain layers of a klnl of unctuous mud which the Tlnnah Indians use as food during the seasons of famine, and even at other times chew as an -amusement. It has a milky tajte, and the flavor is not disagreeable. The Apache and Navajo branches of the Athabascan family cf North American Indians are not unacquainted with the use of clay as a comestible, although among the former it is now rarely used, and among the . latter Is employed only as a condiment to relieve the bitterness of the taste of the wild potato. In the same manner it is known to both'the Zuni and the Tussyan." All this Information the Doctor poured forth with startling rapidity. lie knew it by heart, he explained, from arguing" so often that clayeaters are not myths. IN SOUTH AMERICA. "In South America, likewise," he continued, "the eating of clay prevails among the Indians, on the banks of the Orinoco, throughout Brazil, and on the mountains of Bolivia and Feru. In western, Africa the negroes of Guinea havo long been known to eat a yellowish earth called by them caouac and the flavor and taste of which Is very agreeable to them end is said to causo them no inconvenience. Some tiddict themselves bo excessively to the use of it that It becomes to them a real necessity, and no punishment Is sufficient to restrain them from the practice of consuming it. , "When the Guinea negroes were In former times carried as slaves to the West Irdia Islands they were observed, according' to Captain Ilourke. to continue the custom of eating clay. But the 'caouac of the American islands, or the substance which the poor negroes endeavored in their new home to substitute for the African arth. was found to injure the health of the slaves who ate it, and so the practice was long ago forbidden and has now practically diet! out In the West India colonies. In Martinique a species of red earth, or yellowish tufa was formerly secretly sold In tho markets, but the uso of it has probably ceased in the French colonies also. In eastern Asia a similar practice prevails in various places. In the island of Java, between Kourabaya and Samarang, Lablliardiere kiw small, square, reddijh cakes or earth sold in th village for the purpose of be;ng eaten. These were found by Ehrt-ncerg to consist, for the most part, of the remains of microscopic animals and Jlants which had lived and been deposited n fresh water. "Some of the Japanese, too, are addicted to the practice of eating earth. Dr. Love, some time ago, published an analysis of a clay which Is eaten to a considerable extent by the Ainos; it occurs tn"a bed several feet thick la the valley of Tsietonal (Eat-earth valley), on the north coast of Yesso, It is light-gray in color and of rtne structure. h-vict me ciav iragments of the leaf cf some plant for the aromatic principle it contains. They eat the earth because they think it contains some beneficial substance, not becau-e it Is a necessity with them. They have meat and abundance of vegetable food. The clay is eaten In the form of a soup. Several pounds are boiled with illy roots In a small quantitr of water and afterward strained. The Alnos pronounce the soup very palatable. "In Runjut valley. In the Sikkim Himalayas, a red cUy occurs which tho natives chew, especially as a cure for the goitre In Smith's 'Aborigines of Victoria It is .stated that a kind of earth, pounded and mixed with the root of the mene' (a species of Haemadontm), Is eaten fcy the natives of Wet Australia. In northern Europe, especially In the remote northern part of Sweden, a kind of earth known by the name of 'bread meal Is yearly consumed by hunv ' " c uvri.-. v .-i.ii.ui e'nn is commonly mUed with bread In Finland. In both the. cases the earth employed consists for the most part of the empty shells of minute infusoria, in whfeJi there cannot exlt any ordinary nourishment. "Some of the Siberian tribes, whemthey travel, carry a small bag of their native earth, the taste of which they suppoe will preserve thm from all the evils of a foreign sky. We ar toll that the Ti;nguses tf Siberia eat a clay called Took marrow which1 they u?h mixed with marrow. Near th Ural mountains powdered gypsum, commoniy called rock meal is sometimes mixed with bread. The Jukabirl of northeastern Siberia have an earth of a sweetish and rather astringent taste, to which they ascribe a variety of sanitary properties when eaten. EY OTHER NAMES. . "fn north Germany on various occasions, where famine or necessity has urged It (as 1t- long1 protracted sieges of fortified places), a substance called 'mountain meal similar to that u' ed In Sweden and Finland, has been eipliyed as a means of staying hunger. According to Fllny, the Romans had a dish called 'alica' or f rumen t a made of the grain sea, mixed with chalk from the hills of the Fuleoli, near Naples. According to the myths of the Cingalese, their Brahmins ence fed upon earth for the space of 0.000 years, "But nowhere." said the Doctor, "is the habit so fixed and prevalent as in that part of Georgia lying immediately south of HllledgevIlle,M Thtre Is n.- mistaking a Georgia -clay-eater, says Dr. Fendergrass. Their countenances have a distinctly original and unearthly cast, reminding you more of "a death's head with a tone in Its mouth" than anything el?e. The children have large eyes, set deep in the head, and accentuated by high, skinny cheek bones. These eyes lack lutre, and they glare with leaden stupidity from the cadaverous holloas. The milky r.hiteness of the kin which they have in childhood changes with ca Into a pirchd brown, which falls in fells about the'r neck an! eyrs. Deep wrlnl.lts radiate from their mouths and spreaj every conceivable ti.rectlon. . clay whl.'a they devour 1$ net, u

some have supposed, the red variety so common throughout mkldle Georgia, but a peculiar white kind, wpJi a soft, greasy feel, and found only in certain localities. It Is said to contain arsenic, thus accounting for the force of the habit and its effect upon the system. The clay-eaters are not wholly without social Instincts. They are said to hold festivals, rather dlnlngs, the menu of which is made up mainly of clay. Dr. Fendergrass told of one of these clay feasts which he attended. It was held at the home of one of the most prosperous of the clayeaters, living two miles from Scotsborough, Ga. His home was a log cabin of three rooms one a bedroom, cne a combination bedroom, storeroom and pantry, and the other the kitchen, dining room and parlor. . There were fourteen guests. They gathered in the kitchen, sitting on chairs, a bench and some boxes. Six. squatted on the floor, all other seats being occupied. On the stove was a pan, three feet long and two feet wile, In this pan was a lump about the size of a .young shoat, and it bore a striking resemblance to a scraped pig. The wife of the host, a lean,i hollowchested woman, stood over the pan. On .the floor beside her was a gallon Jug of corn liquor and a half-gallon open-top clay crock. In the crock was a mixture of turkey and 'possum fat, melted into a greasy, brown liqu'd. From time to time the woman prodded holes in the clay with a sharp-pointed pronged stick. Over these holes she poured, first, the turkey-'possum grease, then the corn llo ior. As the mixture struck the heated chy it sputtered and splashed. A sickening odor like unto burning rubber and rum filled the cabin. Clouds of smoke rose from the stove and floated about the room, mingling with the curling, ill-smelling sheets of tobacco smoke. Occasionally the woman drew the pan to the side of the stove to prevent the clay from getting too hot and dtylng out. She would roll thf lump over In the pan with wonderful dexterity. At length the woman, with a dextrous twist, drew tho pan and Its contents from the stove to the floor. ' "Done!" she cried in a shrill voice. "Done to a turn:" The guests ceased thelr'elamor, and with one accord squatted in a circle on the floor. Four Jugs of corn liquor were placed In the center, of the circle. With a b!g knife the woman cut the clay Into slices the size of small piece? of breal. Then, after pouring more liquor In the pan she placed it In the center of the circle beside the four Jugs of liquor. The men used their Jack knives to pick out slices of the clav. The women and children usel forks and bits of pine. They ate greedily, putting the pieces of clay on the floor, while they chewed the chunks they bit out of them. The feast lasted until early in the morning, when the guests who had not succumbed in a drunken stupor made their way home, chewing the drugged clay as thev went. These beings are Indolent and worthless. Some of them own donkeys, and these, at tached to little two-wheeled vehicles, are familiar sights along the public highways' leading to Milledgeville. i Last winter, returning from a hunt In the lower pirt of the country, Dr. Fenlergmss was forced to seek shelter from a storm in the log cabin of a full-fledged clay eater. The building was set back some distance from the road, and a wellbeaten path led through the weeds to the doorway, from which the blanched faces of some half-dozen children peered forth curiously. It was a squalid den. There were two windows, utterly destitute of glass, stuffed with rags and old paper to keep out the chill, while the rain beat drearily and tho wind whistled dismally between the oli rotten logs. It Is customary to daub up the cracks in a log house with clay, but the absence of It there could be explained. A chew of tobacco started the head of the family talking- at length of his family. "Do j'ou all eat clay.?" asKed Dr. Fendergrass, abruptly. There was no arurwer. "Clay's not fit to eat, anyhow," continued the Doctor. "Not fit to eat?" repeated the man. "Why, stranger, it's food weuna hyah lives on It, me an my chilluns an my neighbors." ' - "But you don't prefer it to meat and bread?" , "Wo luv It, stranger. Weuns are raised on it; our chilluns eat it when they leaves off nussin. They never know no other reg'lar food.". "But If you had other food regularly?" asked the Doctor. 'Tew late,' stranger," was the reply. "Once yew eat it, yew eat it fcah good. It's like yon fire. Ef yew go neah it an' git its flame, yew always hev Its mark." "Do your dogs eat it?" "They eats it, tew. They Is nigh on to human." "Do your mules eat it?" .' "Muels? No, stranger, they is only muels."

AMELIA RIVES CIIAXLEIt. A nomnriee of the Ytrjrtnln Hills Has n Sequel In n. Xew York Court. - New York "Special. Mr. W. G. Maxwell, of the law firm of Chanler, Maxwell & Fhilllp, is authority for the statement that a decree of divorce, on the ground of incompatibility, has been granted Mrs. Amelia RIves-Chanler. It la stated there was no opposition to the decree, and that nothing In the pleadings or the proceedings reflected on either of the parties. Mr. Maxwell positively declines to give any further Information. Amelie RIves-Chanler, while simply Amelle Rives, suddenly burst on the world with a feverish volume called 'The Qu!ck or the Dead." This was about eleven years ago. This book was well written, fairly plotted, but succeeded rather for the flavor of fever In it than of any merit whether of the story itself or the style of the English employed in telling it. Altogether, it was not of the sort a cold or careful judge would describe as "healthful literature." But it passed, was widely received, omniverously read, and at a bound made the name of Amelie Rives famous. It had a great run In seminaries, where romantic young women read it unknown to their teachers. Hard on the heels of "The Quick or the Dead" pictures of Miss Rives found a wide circulation, showing the profile of a young lady with a far-off look in her eye, wind-tumbled hair, and a general air of romance and dishabille clothing the whole. She was also reputed to be the mistress of many large, fierce dogs, who accompanied her in her erratic wanderings about the Albemarle county hills and guarded her ferociously from the casual tramp and the other monsters who might do her harm. At that time she had all the airs and habits of profound genius.' and reports to this effect added to her book, "The Quick or the Dead," caused her to be much discussed and widely celebrated. Despite the dogs, Alexander Chanler about seven years ago appeared on the scene and pot near enough to Miss Rives to woo and win her. At that time she abode at the house of her father. Colonel Rives, who lived and still lives on a farm near Castle Hill, Albemarle county Virginia. That If. the fafrn near Castle Hill, is Colonel Blves's home, albeit Colonel Rives, as the head and manager of the Panama railway. Is away almost all cf every' year at Colon. Mrs. Rives, however, resides continuously at the farm , near Castle Hill, where fame found her daughter, and Colonel Rives comes home frem Colon once in a twelvemonth to visit them all. But to return to Alexander Chanler, who, breaking through tho cordon of big dogs who girt her rambles about, won and wedded this authoress of the Albemarle hills. He is now about thirty-five years of age, large, athletic, frank, Intelligent, handsome. And he looked much the same way when he dawned en Miss Rives la her musings and enlisted her, love. Alexander Chanler she called him "Archie," although it is probable she Jias been giving his name Its correct pronunciation for some time was not only handsome, but rich, and with his money was possessed of leisure enough to fully devote himself to the genius of his wife and her unfoldment. So one day the two were, ma ted; torrse priest tied the knot, and the wcrld rang with the news thereof. The wedding was exceedingly private.' no one beinff present but the mother of the bride. Colonel Uives at the time being in Colon with his Panama railway. Then th happy two went to Europe. Mrs. Rives-Chanler. while abroad and since her return, has written several stories, but none which created the excitement which followed the appearance of "The Quick or the Dead." It Is possible that this failure to parallel her first success fed upon the young authoress. At any rate, the world began to hear cf her as having very much turned her back on literature, and. brush in hand, pallette on thumb, bound to paint pictures and become a great artist In oil. She daubed about In Paris, in Rome, everywhere in Europe; la fact, where good artists teach poor ones not to paint so badly, and charged mightily for their Instructions. At divers ar.d sundry times the Chanlers were heard from and while the news was always vague, it was agreeable enough, and no one suspected any row going on In the Chanler household. Five months ago they had been In America some time then rumor for the first time went about that the pair were unhAppy and did not agree. They had no children and, except it were a personal one, there was no reason why the two shouldn't fight if they mutually felt like it, so the1 world paid but, slight heed to them. Mrs. Chanler at that time went to her Esther's home, at Castle Ilf.l, trd -as if bs trere bent to tvin her lova a tl? Chanler bought the next fzrr o

'tis said, and lived neighbor to her. The news now, however, would indicate, that this second courtship of Chanler's was a failure. That Is all there is to the story. The annals of tho Chanlers troubles are meager. Surmise Inclines to regard the lady as the one who tired of wedlock first, and credits Chanler himself with being- a square, straightforward man, whose only fai.lt. if he bad one. was a failure to make wedded life fantastic enough to suit the strained and heated romanticism of his novel-writing wife. He hadn't soul enough, or she too much; and so with the divorce docket showing "Decree granted; cause, incompatibility," the comedy comes to an end. ; . Chanler Is related to theAstors. A HIGHWAYMAN OUTWITTED.

Ituse by "Which n Traveling: Xevr Yorker Saved Ills Money. Baltimore Sun. "From some of the reports circulated In the East," said Mr. German P. Tetnew, of Galveston, Tex., last night, "one Is led to believe that the Western, particularly the far Southwestern, citizen is a prtty bad man, whose chief amusement and means of gaining a livelihood consist of highway robbery. But I think. the finest piece. of 'hold-Ing-up' I ever heard of was accomplished by a young New Yorker who traveled In our State and Mexico for a druggists' fancy articles manufactory. 'This young man." he continued, "was traveling la the State of Coahuila, Mexico, about two years ago and went one night to Saltlllo. the capital of the State. It was the first time he had been in the town, and, after transacting a little business, he started out to see the sights. As he entered an isolated street he was suddenly confronted by a brigandish looking follow, who, in glib mongrel Spanish, demanded his valuables, with accompanying gestures that made his meaning perfectly intelligible to the Intended victim. The highwayman held in one hand a long, sinister looking knife and waved it about in . a suggestive manner which implied the necessity of ready compliance with his wishes or a tragic result. "But tho salesman was a man of quick wit and ready resources. Instead of handing over his property he thrust his hand into his pocket, and. a moment later the cold, shiny barrel of what seemed to be a revolver was pointed at the would-be robber's head. " 'Excuse me said the young man, "but this is my game "Naturally, the surprise caused by the unexpected production of the-supposed revolver produced a change in the confident manner with which the robber had confronted the New Yorker, and he starte 1 back. Instantly the salesman knocked th knife from his hand, stooped down, picked it up, took the highwayman by the collar before he could escape and marched him before the police authorities. "At the preliminary trial of the would-bf robber the following morning the guilt of the prisoner was readily established, and his commitment was about to follow wher he asked If It were not an offense for strangers In the country to carry concealed weapons. He was told that it was. Then he demanded the arrest of the young salesman, charg'ng him with carrving a revolver "The native Justice asked the salesman If the charge was true. This was admitted. He was then asked lf he still had the weapon concealed on his person. The young man said he had, but pleaded that its possession had the niht before prevented a robbery and possibly murder. He wss Informed that such a 'circumstance d'd no4 alter the case, and that he had violated thlaw. "The prisoner smiled sardonically on beholding the tight place into wh'ch th authorities were seemingly drawing th New Yorker, but his mirth turned to disgust when the young man "pulled the revolver from his pocket and laid it dow before the maclstrate. It was nothing bu a cologne atomizer fashioned in the shanof a revolver, such as were manufactured in quantities several years ago." I M ! M .MW EXCITING RAcn IX FLORIDA. A Railroad Train Chnses n. Panther that "Was Chasing1 a Deer. Florida Times-Union. C. C. Taylor, engineer of the Pablo railroad, has pulled a trottle for thirty-six years, and during that time has had many novel experiences, but yesterday he had one that has no parallel in hia life's history. , It was during the run from Pablo to Jacksonville. Conductor R Rogero pulled the bell cordto leave Pablo at 5 p. m. The train slipped out of the depot and sped for home. About eight. miles this side of Pablo Is Cedar swamp, a tangled morass, ir which bear, wildcats, deer and even panthers have been often killed. Whan about half way through the swamp an Immense buck, wild-eyed and -lathered with sweat, made a clean leap of twenty-five feet onto the track, within sixty feet of the engine An instant later there was a crash of the underbrush, and out of it came an Immense panther, running so fast that he seemed to be leyel with the ground. He was so eager to catch the game ahead of him that he had no eye for the train. Passengers in the five coaches did not know of the exciting race jroing on ahead of the cowcatcher, but they did notice that there was a series of quick and successive Jerks, and that the train was spinning along through the swamp at a whizzln pace. It was at this time that engineer Taylor resolved to take a hand in the race himself. He pulled the trottle wide open and the little engine fairly humped herself. The deer was about one hundred yards ahead, and the panther was thirty yards behind the deer. The deer was barely holding his own. Something seemed to be the -matter with him, for he didn't run as he should. The deer kept the track for a half mile. Before he left the track, however, the engine crawled . close upon the panther. He heard the rumbling of th' wheels and the trembling of the track, and he quickly got cut of the way, hiding himself in the underbrush bv a series of successive and graceful leaps. The deer did not quit the track until a quarter of mile further on. He took to the open pine woods on the opposite sldto that which the oanther had leaped, and 'be last sen of htm he was still running like chain lightning. ' Mr. Taylor Is one of the most reliable engineers in the service of any road. He was in charge of the engine of the Camp Perry train which did such splendid service 'n the dark days of 1888. For seven years he ran a locomotive on the R. & D., be--n Hirbfiond. Va., and Charlotte, N. C, and for eight years was on the S., F. & W. it ;,f ,n-en th city and Jesup, Ga. He Is not only a good engineer, but a fine man, and is well liked by everybody who Is fortunate enough to know him. Conductor Rogero went ahead to see what was up when the train was running so fast, but only got there in time to see the deer scudding through the woods. He told a few of the passengers, but none of them was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the Mr Rogero says that deer have frequently jumoed on the track on the Tablo run, nd before this have had a race with the train, but this is the first time he ever heard of a panther getting mixed up in ahy of the ..icidents. CRADLE OF HUMANITY. Dr. Lc Ploageon Says It Wns in Central America. Newcastle Chronicle. A few' weeks ago we were assured by a learned Egyptologist that the cradle of the human race was in the region of the great lakes of central Africa, and some very good reasons in support of his view were put forward. Now, however, it is claimed that the Garden of' Eden was located neither in Asia nor in Africa, but in Central America. Dr. le Plougeon has devoted many years of his life to an investigation of the monuments and ruins cf Yucatan, which hav puzzled generations of archaeologists and explorers. Existing In that country are the remains of ancient cities disclosing the remarkable civilization of a prehistoric age, embracing temples, palaces, elaborate sculptures, hieroglyphics, wall paintings and the great pyramid of Chlchen. Having an intimate knowledge of the language of the native Indians the warlike Quiches Dr. le Plougeon lived among these people for some time, and was rewarded by discovering that the language these aborigines speak to-day is identical with the writings on the monuments. With this knowledge he renewed his research, and claims to have found from the hieroglyphics a succinct and coherent record of the feud tetween Cain and Abel. The ancient land of Maya, which he has rediscovered, is Interpreted by the Doctor as the firsL or primitive land, and the story which he declares is written ,upon the walls of that ancient city and upon Abel's tomb, is this: According to the Maya law3 the youngest brother must espouse the elder sister, and Prince Can Abel having married his sister Moo, and being moreover a successful warrior, is envied by hl3 brother. Aac Cain and finally slain by him. Prince Aac then paid suit to Queen Moo. who repelled his advances, built a mausoleum over the remains of her dead husband and. having caused a record of the transactions to be sculptured upon the tomb, set out for a new country to escape the importunities cf her fratricidal brother. There appears to be no reference to Adam and Eve in the Yucatanese Inscriptions, but the serpent is mentioned, as are also other incidents agreeing with the Biblical story. From Yucatan th fugitive Queen Moo and her followers made th.ir way to Egypt, and Dr. la riouecn relies ca E-ryptian raytho4ccy. as ru-portlrt his interpretation of the myctrrirua r.Tlti.la tho CzzA cities of Cer.-.rzl jr-crlru.

LIFE IN A WET LAND

HOUSES BUILT OX PILES FR03I OXR TO TWELVE FEET HIGH. A Curious People Who Are Rapidly t Adapting Themselves to, the Civillzed JVotion of the English. ' New York Times. If a rising country has the privilege of being left alone, then Burmah pre-eminently enjoys that distinction. Some people know that Akyab lies north, Moulmein south, and Rangoon in the middle, Mot people don't even know that. It Is supposed generrdly that the chief productions of Burmah are pineapples, ponies "and pagodas, somo of the latter growing to a considerable size; that the women walk about in silk petticoats of a peculiar cut; that there are white elephants waxidering about somewhere or other; that there Is an abundance of rice and of rain in the country, and that the surplus revenue Is found very useful to the government of India, This very - fairly represents the average geographical, antiquarian,, sanitary and sociological knowledge - that the outside world has of Burmah, and it seems very contented, wlthaJ, It would be as well to undeceive it, Burmah Is the rising province of the East a trifle out at the way, perhaps, but none the less an entity not to be Ignored. That old, old story of tke difference between Rangoon and Hades Is worth telling again, If only for an illustration of the climate. "Hades and Rangoon are so similar that, If it were not for the abundance of water at the latter place, they might be one and the same." SI non e vero, e ben troyato. Rangoon is hot. When you have to take your bed or have it taken for you (for you never do anything for yourself in these hot climates) on to the roof, and sleep there, surrounded, of, course, by mosquito curtains, the heat' in New York seems Insignificant. Taking , off your clothes and you wear very few of them is a relief; taking off your skin would be infinitely preferable. Your Burmese servant, if you are lucky enough to have a Burman, is a treasure, but he can only bring you your whisky and soda and tell the "boy" outside to work the punkah a little falterthat is. If you elect to sleep Inside the house. The houses Indeed, are built to suit your every little fad. Now and then you may run across a ground floor, but as a rule the private houses are built on piles from one to twelve feet high. This Is rendered necessary by the rainfall, which often registers one hndred inches a year. This Incessant rain is a terrible element of destruction. Books and clothes are rendered useless In a very short time unless they are carefully looked after, and yourphotographs are covered with mildew. DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS. The first floor of your house is the house itself. It comprises your drawing room, your dining room, and your bedrooms. Vour kitchen is situated away In the "compound," the term used for "garden," and your servants sleep well, goodness knows where they do sleep. You make no proVision for them. As long as they are at your beck and call, what matters lt? Your "bearer", (nglice, valet) sleeps outside your door on a mat, and the rest of your establishment may take their rest In Jerusalem for what you know. They seem, however, to be always on the spot. You do not pay for their board. They live on two or three rupees a month, and tpparently only eat rice, which they throw into their mouths, eschewing a spoon or a fork, as if it were a part of their religion to do so. And, truth to tell, this lellgiqn, or rather "caste," Js a terrible nuisance. A modestly sized household will require a dozen or more servants. Your "bearer" will attend to your personal wants, will wait on you at your table, and stand behind your chair when you-go out to dinner, but he will do nothing menial. The man who grooms your'pony won't brfng the grass or water to the stable, and so on from high to low. They, all seem to be of a different "caste," and will only perform those dutUs which their "caste" allows them to do. This Is what makes living so expensive. Their individual wages are not excessive, but, taken In a lump sum, they mount up to a respectable figure. . As a rule, you rise at 6 a. m., or, at all events, you are called punctually at that hour by your "bearer," or "boy," who brings you a cup of coffee and some hot buttered toast. This is . called "chota hazree," or "little breakfast." You then don a negligee shirt the older the better and are driven down town to business; or, if you are so fortunate as not to have any cares of life in that direction, you go for a. drive, or a ride on one of your Pegon ponies. There are, it may be mentioned, very few horses in Rangoon; most of the locomotion is provided by ponies from the Shan village. At 9 o'clock or thereabout you return home, strip yourself and- Indulge In q cold bath, and then dress properly for the day. A substantial breakfast follows, after which you again drive down town for the business of the day. -You may possrbly and- probably have luncheon, or "tiffin," as It V called, at 1 o'clock, and from that hour till 5 o'clock you devote yourself to business. Then comes the most enjoyable part of the day. The heat of thsun Is relaxed, and you drive home, only to take another cold bath and dress yourself for any relaxation that may best appeal to your mood. As there are two regimentsan English and a native stationed in Rangoon, the amusements are various. Afternoon dances In the cool weather, which lasts from November to the end of January, are a distinguishing feature, and the regimental bands play evory evening for the edification of music lavers. There Is, too, a gymkhana, where always supposing you are a decent member of society (with a big S) you can devote yourself to any sport you fancy, from cricket to croquet You dine at 7 o'clock and go to bed any time from 9 to 11 o'clock, the earlier, perhaps, the better. Thus ends your day. . BURMESE ETIQUETTE. The social side of a. life In Rangoon. Is amusing in its rigidity. The etiquette that, for instance, has to be observed In choosing the guests for a dinner party would seem fpollsh to an American, but so strict are the laws of the boudoir cabal that the arrangement Is a task which tries the faculties and discernment of a hostess to a ridiculous extent. To see the mistress of the house busying herself round a floriburd dinner table with fourteen or sixteen little pieces of paper in one hand and an array list and other official publications in the other is a treat for 4 republican, but so sure as the least error or deviation in precedence is made, so surely will that particular household suffer in its reputation. And so all the way through. There is a want of honesty and sincerity, as a rule in the depths of this provincial society, and even when those qualities are with difficulty discerned they are prostituted and maSe subservient to a false sense of dignity which is puerile in the extreme. Life in the Jungle is, of course, entirely different. You will probably have to put up with three or four servants, and - in some places will not have the opportunity of seeing a white face for months. If you delight in sport, there are ready to your hind the elephant, the rhinoceros, the tapir, the buffalo, the deer, the hog, the tiger, et hoc genus omne. If you prefer the beautiful, you may chance across the large and gorgeous peacock; or should you have a predilection for snakes, you con take your choice from the python, cobra and anaconda downward. Of insects there "are myriads, and it is no uncommon occurrence to sit down to dinner in the Jungle with a tablecloth absolutely covered with varieties which a naturalist would find some trouble In designating. Rubies you will find If you travel further north, and lrawaddy oil a dark viscous fluid is also a rather doubt ful product. Of little pagodas there are a multitude, ana tne great ;uw uagon -a-goda, in Rangoon, which has been described time and again, is a sight never to be forgotten. Lepers, some with rotting arms and ears, others with a stump for aMeg or toes all eaten away, line the stairs which you ascend, and pour forth their entreaties for alms until you wonder In your Innocence why such beings for they are "beings," say what you will were ever created. ' ' t The Yaller Dos'a Greatness. Buffalo Courier. The Defender's yaller dog has suddenly found himself as famous 03 Jumbo and as valuable as the egg of & great auk. No sooner had the Defender triumphed than Paul Baptiste.a. colored cook, of .Providence, swore that the dog was his, and he demanded its return. Mr, C. O. Iseltn,. -who claimed the dog for the Defender, wrote to Baptists that if be could Identify the. dog es his he could have him. The dog's hind lesrs had peculiar marks or tiltferencfs, which roads fclra readily distinguishable frcm zlzz r-y ctlur yellow dr. E-o-tlitD tr.-"c::i tt-t crj xrz3 i.lz. 1.5

had had him from a puppy, but he could not tell about every little mark on Mm. "Send back the dorg," he concluded. Mr. Iselln rejoined that he would give him one more chance to identify the dog. He had odd ears and odd hind .legs. "I am tired" he wrote, "of being bothered and having half the people in this big country claiming this dog and trying to obtain money under false pretenses." : This made Baptiste angry, and he wrote to Mr. Iselln: "Send on the dog. and if he ain't mine I'l send him back. How can I tell if his legs ain't mates till I see him? That's fair." Mr. Iselln, however, does not look at the matter that way, and Baptiste Is likely to have to sue for the dog and to csrry the matter to all manner of courts of last resort before toe will see hide or hair of it. If he 2s so fortunate as to do so even then. BARGAINS IX OLD SILKS.

Rare and Ancient "WeaTlnRs Are Cheap in Japan. Decorator and Furnisher. If you take a trip to Japan this winter it will pay you to keep your eyes open for rare bargains in Japanese silA. William E. Curtis is authority for the statement that beautiful Japanese embroideries, such as were used years ago in the palaces of the Diamyos or in the Shinto and Buddhist temples masses of silks and gold as thick as an Axmlnster carpet and Targe enough for a portiere or a bedspread, which represents years of labor and the most artistic skill can be bought for fifty or sixty yen, or from $25 to $J0 in our money. Friezes of the choicest brocades, heavy with gold and silken figures, two feet wide and twenty feet long, representing in their designs historical and mythological scenes, can, be had for twenty-five or thirty yen; end smalUr pieces, such as will answer for upholstering chairs, or table spreads, or sofa pillows, you can buy for $2 or $3 each. Such things cost so much In New York that one wonders why some enterprising merchant does not invade the interior of Japan and pick up a large stock of them. These prices mean gold, and It will be economy for travelers to carry with them in gold whatever money they propose to spend. Labor receives small wages in Japan men are glad to get as much as 10 cents a day that clothes, both for men and women, are much cheaper there than here. A tailor-made woman's cloth suit of the best English goods, that would cost in New York, can be had in Japan for $30 to $40. Women who delight in silk underwear can have their pet fad humored at comparatively small cost In Japan, for a suit of light gauze pure silk costs about M. The heaviest suits of silk underwear cost only about $10, and then you are charged only for the extra weight of the silk. All woven silk goods are soli by weight. The silks used in making the beautiful kimonos and oba worn by the women In Japan like those you see In all Japanese pictures are quite narrow, often less than twelve Inches wide, and tho- most artistic and skillful weavers will not change their looms or their habits. Therefore, the beet s'.lk fabrics of Japan are not shipped abroad. The obis the sashes which the Japanese women wear are the. most beautiful fabrics woven In Japan. A Japanese belle regards her obi as a European woman does her diamonds, and although her wardrobe costs very little compared with that of her sister across the sea, two-thirds of Its value will be Invested in hr obi. These precious brocades absorb the most artistic patterns that the designers- of Japan produce. They are as thick as leather and as soft as crepe. It is amazing how the weavers can produce a combination of gold thread and silk that glistens like metal but Is as pliable as gauze. The' obi always comes four yards and a half long and nine inches wide, and you can buy them at any price between $3 and $300. Mr. Curtis saw one obi that had $300 worth of gold worked Into the Bilk. , TWO-HANDED WHIST. A Xfw Style of Playingr Makes It Much Like the Ordinary Game. Detroit Free Press Two-handed whist Is being played at some clubs and private parties, and a variation has been introduced which makes It resemble even more than ever the regular four-handed frame and has Infused new Interest in it. The fame 1s played by dealing to each of the two players one-half of the cards, one at a time, as in the regular game. The cards ere then placed on the table In piles of two, so that each player has thirteen plies. The top card of each pile is turned up at the beginning of the game. This leaves thirteen cards In each hand exposed. Play begins with the nondealer, who plays one of his exposed cards, and, as soon as the trick is taken, he turns up the card that was beneath it. In this way all the cards are finally exposed and played. As two cards make a trick, there are naturally twenty-six tricks In all, thirteen of which it takes to make a book, after scoring which every trick counts one point. Thus, while It is possible to make thirteen points in one deal, It is also possible to have no count whatever, and In actual play It frequently happens that neither player makes a point in a particular deal. The variation of the game is to arrange the cards as before described, when the nondealer begins the play. ; As soon as he has made the play he turns up and exposes the card which was uncovered. The first player then plays another card on the same trick, again exposing the face of the card underneath the one played, if, there be one, and the second player has the last play. This, of course, makes only thirteen tricks, and the regular rules of whist govern In counting the game, y The chief recommendation of the game Is, of course, that it is played by two persons, and makes an interesting pastime. There is more of an element of chance In it than there is in the regular game, as, naturally, It Is impossible to tell the location of the cards turned down until they are exposed to view, and in the American game of whist good players soon discover the presence of the principal cards in the hands of their partners and their opponents. In spite of this uncertainty there is always a chance for considerable headwork and often, for well considered and brilliant plays. WILLOW-WARD PLATES. Fashion's Demand for China Onr Grandmothers Thought Common. Charleston News and Courier. A dealer in antiquities, if furniture and such things often less than a century in age can be so designated, told a reporter yesterday that the chief article in demand in Ms line of business was the old "willowware plate." "There are any number of new ones' he said, "but people want the old ones, and do what you will," he added, with charming frankness, "you can't make the new ones look old never mind what you do with them." Fifty or sixty years ago these plates were In common use, but were not considered "fine" being used only when there was no company French china, and, more especially In Charleston, East India china being considered the proper thing on state occasions. Now, however, the Old willow-ware has been all broken up, or el3eput In a collector's cabinets. .The description of the plate Is as follows: To the right Is a mandarin's country seat. In the foreground is a pavilion, In the background an orange tree, and to the right a peach tree In full bearing. The estate is inclosed by a fence, and through .it flows a brook on the way to the. sea, in which there is an Island high up at the left side, with a.cott&sre on it. Over the brook there is a bridge with three figures on it.' The famous willow tree stands at one end and a gardener's cottage, at the other, while high above soar two birds. These birds are meant for doves, and the figures for the mandarin's daughter, with a distaff in her hand, her lover and a mandarin with a whip. The story Is this: The mandarin had an only daughter, Ll Chi, who fell In love with Chang, her father's secretary, who lived in the island cottage at the top of the plate. The mandarin forbade the match, and the lovers eloped and lay concealed for a time In the gardener's cottage, and thence made their escape to the home of Chang. - Th-a father pursued them with a whip, and would have beaten them to death had not the gods changed them into turtle doves. " . Position for Sleeping. Philadelphia Record. - Another iconoclast! The rampant reformer of the day has now Invaded bedrooms. The orthodox fashion In making up the beds so as to gently slope toward the feet and having a good-sized piljow or two under the head Is all wrong. A prominent French doctor, M- VII helm Fischer, is responsible for this statement. He asserts that after a long series of experiments he has proved conclusively that to' sleep in a bed prepared in the old-fashioned way Is simply to Induce ailments of all kinds. He advocates a complete reversal of things. You must have your head on a level with or lower than your feet. If pillows ore used they must be under your feet instead of under the head. The result, he claims, will be amazing, being a sure cure for insomnia, as well as a preventive for the nightmare. Dr. Fischer says further that sleep in this new position "will always be Intellectual, because more profound, the entire nervous system ameliorated; while people inclined to luns and kidney trouble will be vastly benefited by sleeping in this poEitlcn." To prevent any mccnvcrdtncs ty too cudisn a chan-s the r"l3rs thcuM be rrcdually rzlzczl end Lzizllj zlzzzl ths tzzt.

otueihing:

For Fall. Come and look over our stocks. Our store is in perfect keeping with the seasons. OUR STOCKS ARE MATCHLESS All1 the newest and most desirable Fabrics have been gathered together under our roofs. Busy times these October days. Geisendorfrs Finest Wool Skirt Patterns 98c We bought all of the Mill's Seconds in Skirt Patterns, and havo placed tho full length (40 inches long) on sale at 98c, worth frorn SlO to 82. The short length patterns, same make, full width (84 inches wide), wo are selling at 39c a great burgain for Children's Skirts. Wool Factory Blankets, per pair . .$2.49 White Blankets, all wool, warp cotton chain, strong as iron, weigh 4 to 4, lbs" Nothing shoddy about these, and the mill price was S4 a pair. Men's White Ribbed Fleeced Underwear 25c Full line of sizes in Men's Winter-weight Ribbed Shirts or Drawers, all sizes and especially good value at 25c. In the Garment Room We are showing a very handsome lino of Xew Fall CAPES, JACKETS, FURSall the newest ideas, are awaiting your coming. We always welcome lookers as possible purchasers. An immense line of goods at tho lowest prices you will hear quoted any where. ' ' New Fall Millinery Patterns On display now. I3usy filling orders but not too busy to give every caller every possible attention. The Millinery Department presents a lively appearance with its continually daily changing of Hats. New styles coming and going. Practical, stylish Headwear at bottom prices. , t New Draperies New Curtains New Portieres

New lines of Pongee Draperies, 10c; New line of Gilt Figured Draperies, 10c Beautiful patterns In Japanese Printed Draperies, with gilt figures; 25c roods, at 17c. Fatln Derbv Draperies, S9o. Regular Jl.W Nottingham Lace Curtains, extra wide, per pair, $1.

The New Fall Dress Goods

Are exquisite in design and construction. Pattern at a very low price. New Changeable Novelty Worsteds, double width, worth 25o at ldc. All-wool Ladies' Cloth, French Serges and Henriettas, all double width, colors and black, choice 25c. A great line of Sacking, 60 Inches wide, all wool, all colors. Sdc. See the Broadcloths at 75c Fine Beaver for Capes, only &.60. See the English Curl Astrachans at fL50.

A Great Blanket Bargain at $2.50 a pair Just received 100 pairs of strictly all-wool Blankets, in white, red, natural grey, and we shall place them on 6ale Monday morning at $2.50 a pair.

The New Idea Patterns

284. BOIES' PRINCESS DRESS. klzct S2. 4. S6, S8, 40, O-

Underwear for Men, Women, Children We are headquarters for Underwear. No matter what you may need, we are sure to have it all styles and qualities all at the lowest prices.

Infants' Wool Ricv Children's white t wear, size 16 at 7Vc; Wrappers, 3e. -ay Merino Undergo for each larger Misses' Ribbed Vs ?r Pant, each lc. Misses' Union Suits, lu white or gray, at 29c. ,Laaies' Union Suits, fleeced, wblte or gray, only 50c. Ladies' Wool Natural Gray Ribbed Vests or Pants, 50c . . . Ladies' Finest Scarlet Medicated Dye allwool Underwear, 75c

Items of Interest in the Shoe Stock

The Shoe Department is well equipped for a great Fall trade. Great assortments of good wearing shoes at popular prices.

Ladies 7-button Black Wool Kersey gaiters, made with cloth strap, and Overgreat value at 2oC. Special Value in Ladles' Flue Shoes at $1.85. 500 pairs of Ladies' Fine French Dongola Button Bhoes, 5 style toes, all the newest shapes, a regular ?3 shoe, at fl.S5. Men's Shoes at $1.25. Men's All Solid Calf Shoes, lace or congress, new shapes.

The Clothing Department

'ffjOUSE jEOORATIONn

Our new goods are t coming in daily. Will be glad to have you see them.

You Need

3 handsome desirns In new extra length and width Lace Curtains, pair L3. Great values In L&ce Curtains at fLM. fl.CS, $1.83, J2.30, USS, etc., per pair. New Eatin Drapery Portieres, fringed all around, worth JS a pair, at only S2.s. Bargains In White Quilts at Wc, CSc, Tc, S9c, n. Marseilles Quilts at U.C3. You can buy a beautiful Norelty Drcsf All-wool Black Henriettas at 15o. Mohair Novelty Pre?vs Fabrics, 19c Persian Novelty Dress Fabric at 43c 811k Finish U Black Henrietta. t9 Block Silk SubUrae Dress Pattern at only J4. Mohair Striped Boude Novelty Brers Qonds at 75c Mohair Figured Fancy Black Dress Stuffs at tfc m m m ' m IQO

We haven't said much about the Xew Idea Patterns here of late, for the simple reason that these patterns are advertising themselves. Wherever or to whoever we soil one pattern, we make a 6ure customer. The patterns are the best to be had cut, style and fit are perfect; uniform price for any size orBtyle, 10c. Sent.by mail, postpaid, on receipl of price. New Idea Pattern Sheets for November wiU be received this week. Call or send for them. No charge.

Men's Gray Ribbed Undershirts, only ths 50c grade, at 38c Men's regular 0c Natural Wool Underwear reduced to SSc Men's all-wool Scarlet Underwear, only Men's Finest White Merino Underwear, Bilk trimmed, at 35c Boys' extra heavy fleece-lined UnJerweir, SSc. Men's fine Australian all-wool Natural Gray Underwear, same grade cold laet year at $L50; this year. ULadles' Fine Doagola Shoes, $1.50, Made In all the new styles, all kid stock or cloth tops, flexible and extension eole. Ladles' Shoe Bargaius at $1.23. That lot of fine Dongela lace and button, that we placed on sale Saturday a. m., are going fast. You ought to secure a ralr, as they are extraordinary value. - Children's Shoes' at $1. All styles for Boys. Youths. Misses. Children. We make a specialty of an all solll heel or spring heel Sho; at Jl something that will give good wear.

You ought to sec our stock of Boys' Clothing, also Men's Pants. We carry full lines of Boys' Clothing; and can fit them all, from ages 3 to 19 Suits or Overcoats. A line of grey mixed Serge Suit3, single- f A A breasted sack coats, ages 0 to 13, at only We carry the best line of Boys' Cheviot and Cassimere Suits in the city, at the popu- C9 Z ft lar price of. 7 )LOvJ See the Boys' Brown Mixed Capo Over- 1 fQ coat, ages fj to 13, at only. )IVO Boys' Chinchilla Ulsters, ages 4 to 13, a 2 ftQ regular 5 Overcoat, at 5a7U

A lot of odds and ends in small boys' Over coats Men's Corduroy Pants, well-made, at Boys Knee Pants, only , Boys' blue wool Knee ants, only

51.50 2.00 50c 802

THE SHAW' DECORATING CO., 38 GOUTH II,r,IXOIG.