Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-15


eyes with bands of white paint; daubing
his cheeks a rich mustard yellow white
streak runs along the ridge of his nose, and
another forms a circle round his mouth !;
his ribs are indicated by corresponding bars
of white paint which give highly venera-
bic cross-bones effect to his breast. When
| add that he wears no clothes, and that the
use of soap is no part Of his religion, some
idea may be gained of the effect the first
view Of HIM occasions in the mind OF Eu-
ropean.
On the afternoon ola very sultry day in
June, had got a table out in the verandah
of my bungalow, and was amusing myself
with galvanic apparatus, giving such OF
nv servants as had the courage taste Of
what they called Wnlatee boinjee, English
lightning when long gaunt figure, with
his hair hanging in disordered masses over
his face, was observed to cross the lawn
On arriving within few PAGES of where |
stood, he drew himselfup in an imposing at
titude-one of his arms akimbo, while the
other held out towards me what appeared
to be pair Of tongs, with brass dish at
the extremity Of it.
"Who are you'" called out.
"Fuqueer," was the cultural response.
"What do you want p
"Bheek," (alms.)
"Bheek!" | exclaimed, 'surely you are
ioking-a great stout fellow like you can't
BE wanting bheek:'
The fuqueer paid not the slightest atten-
l,,+ oont,nua1 bol1,pcr ont bis ton pS
with the dish at the end Of it.
"You had better be OFF, said; 81 new
er give bheek to people who are able to
work"
1--WE do Khooda's work, " replied the fu-
queer, with a swagger.
ooh you do-!hen," | answered, you
had better ask Khooda for bheek." So say
ING, turned to the table, and began arrang-
ing the apparatus for making some expert
ments. Happening to look up about five
minutes after | observed that the fuqueer
was standing upon one leg, and struggling
to assume as much majesty as was consist
ent with his equilibrium. The tongs and
dish were still extended, while his left hand
sustained his right foot across his abdomen.
| turned to the table and tried to 60 on with
my work, but | blundered awfully, broke a
glass jar, cut my fingers, and made mess
of the table. had consciousness of the
fuqueers staring at me with his extended
dish, and could not get the fellow out OF my
head looked up at him again. There
he was, as grand as ever on his one leg,
and with his eyes nveted on nine. He
continued this performance for nearly an
hour, vet their did not seem the slightest
indication Of his unfolding himself rather
a picturesque ornament to the lawn, il he
should take it into his head-as these fel-
lows sometimes do-to remain in the same
position for a twelvemonth. elf" | said,
''you stand there much longer, I'll give you
such taste of boinjee (lightning) as will
soon make you glad to CO."
The only answer to this threat was smile
of derision that sent his mustache bristling
up against his nose.
"Lightningw he sneered; "your light
ming can't touch fuqueer-the gods take
care Of him.
Without more ado charged the battery,
and connected it with a coil machine, which,
as those who have tried it are aware, Is
capable of racking the nerves in such a
way as few people care to try, and which
none are capable of voluntarily enduring
beyond few seconds.
The fuqucer seemed rather amused at
the queer-looking implements on the table,
but otherwise maintained a look of lofty
stoicism; nor did he seem in any way a.
larmed when approached with the conduct
ors.
Some of the servants, who had already
experienced the process. now came cluster
ing about, with looks Of ill-suppressed mer-
riment, to witness the fuqueers ordeal
fastened one wire to his still extended
tongs, and the other to the foot on the
ground.
As the coil machine was not yet in &C
ton beyond disconcerting him little, the
attachment Of The wires did not otherwise
affect him. But when pushed the magnet
into the coil, and gave him the full strength
of the battery, be howled like a demon the
tongs-to which his hand was now fastened
by force beyond his will-quivered in his
unwilling grasp as if it were burning the
ueSn IlOlIl tliG OOutS' l1C III CIV Hi''iSCli vi
the ground, yelling and gnashng his teeth,
the tongs Changing an irregular accompani-
ment. Never was human pride so abrupt
lv cast down. He was rolling about in such
frantic way that began to fear he would
do himself mischief; and, thinking he had
now had as much as was good for him
stopped the machine and released HIM.
For some minutes he lay quivcring on
the ground as if not quite sure that the hor-
rblc spell was broken; then gathering him
self he flung the tongs from him,boundeo
across the lawn, and over the fence like an
antelope. When he had got to what he
reckoned cursing distance, he turned round
shook his fist at me, and fell to worli-pour.
ing out torrent ofimprecations-shouting
screeching, and tossing his arms about in {
manner fearful to behold.
There is popularity in the abuse Of an
Oriental, that, beyond wishing the object o
ii liberal endowment Of bllsters, boils, ,ant
ulcers, (no inefficient curses in hot country
he does not otherwise allude to him person
ally, but directs the main burden of hi!
wrath against his female relatives, from hi.
grandmother to his granddaughter, wives
daughters, sisters, aunts, and grand-aunts
| inclusive These he imprecates, individu