The Placer herald., 1858-04-17
A People Without Teeth.

ly re-published from the English edition by
the Harpers, is one of the most valuable
books of modern times. Among many curt
Gus and amusing things in it, we find an ac-
count of strange deformity existing in a
tribe of negroes in the sun toasted country
he has been exploring. Every man, woman
and child connected with the tribe are with
out front teeth. Inquiring into the cause of
this unnatural appearance, it was given him
thus: Once uTon time, the chief of the
tribe, like many better men of civilized coun-
tries, was possessed Of a refractory wife.
He endured her impudence and annoy ances
for many years, but one day his passion be-
came suddenly aroused, he gave her what
is termed in civilized parlance, a "plug" in
the mouth with his fist The blow must
have been not only severe, but well aimed,
for it relieved the proud woman of all her
front teeth. Thus despoiled of her most
priced beauty, the sable matron hid herself
in shame, and afterward became a tractable
and obedient wife. The warriors of the tribe
in council assembled, observed the good re-
suits of that one blow of the chief, and
being troubled generally with disobedent
tic example. Each repaired to his home,
and rested not contented until their wives
were forcibly deprived of their front teeth.
The result Of this general int1iction, however,
was far from being satisfactory. The tooth
less women became enraged at the loss of
their pearly jewels, and combined against
their lords and masters, in a general mutiny
which the warriors were unable to resist
After period of serious trouble, peace was
restored and a compromise effected upor
the following terms: The husbands were te
Immediately extract their front teeth. anC
thus deform themselves as they had deform
ed their wives, and from that day on, all
their children were to suffer the same inflic-
ton at the earliest possible age. The cove
nant has been faithfully adhered to- and the
tribe, from custom, now consider teeth an
enormity.
Beginning and ending with Jack Knife.
In 1917, youth, then residing in Maine
owned jack knife, which he, being of a
somewhat trading and money making dispo-
sition, sold for gallon of West India rum.
This he retalled, and with the proceeds
purchased two gallons, and eventually bar
rel, which was followed in due time with a
large stock. In a word, he got rich, and
became the Squire Of a district through the
possession of the jack knife and an indomi-
table trading industry. lie died worth prop
erty in real estate and money valued at $50
900. This was divided, by testament, among
four chldren-three boys and girl. Luck
which seemed to have been the guardian an
gel of the farther, deserted the children, tol
every folly and extravaganza they could en-
gage in seemed to occupy their exclusive at
tention and cultivation. The daughter mar
ried unfortunately, and her patrimony was
soon thrown away by her spendthrift of +
husband. The sons were no more fortunate
and two of them died Of dissipation, and il
almost poverty. The daughter also died.
The last Of the family, for many years past
has lived on the kindness of those who knew
him in his days of prosperity, as pride would
not allow him to 90 to the poor-farm.
few weeks ago he died, suddenly and alone
in barn, where he had laid himself dowI
to take drunken sleep. On his pocket
being examined, all that was found in then
was small piece Of string and jack knife
So, the fortune that began with an imple
ment of that kind, left but its simple dupli
cate.