Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1903 — A Terriflying Hat. [ARTICLE]

A Terriflying Hat.

When the French artist, Benjamin Constant, was traveling in Morocco he was invited by the Sultan to present himself at court, at Fez. The New York Staats-Zeitung says that the painter’s first thought was In regard to his costume. “Court” in Europe was one things in. Morocco it was likely to prove something different. There was nothing to do, however, but to wear his ordinary evening clothes. He was ignorant of the fact that the Moors look upon black garments §s very vulgar, and It was only after his arrival that he learned his mistake. The courtiers smiled openly; worst of all, they sneered. The painter was a man of hasty temper, and suddenly, nettled by their insolence, he cloßed his opera bat and sprung it open in the faces of the jeering crowd. They scattered, yelling Avith surprise and fear. The Sultan heard the noise and demanded the cause. After he had seen and examined the Avonderful hat he gave this oracular opinion: ♦‘lf I had Hved a hundred years in your country, and adopted all ytAir other customs, I could never have brought myself to set on ipy head so hideous a contrivance as that!” Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.—Edward Eggleston.