The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-10-26
Fun at the Centennial. 4

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You would almost doubt my word if
lwere to tell you Of, the greenness of
some OF these Centennial visitors There
never was such chance for guying in
the world. 1t proved too much for Mr.
John I. Raymond, and he could not let
so rare an opportunity slip. He would
go up To the wax-work groups in the
Main Building, which really are very
life-like, and pretend that he thought
they were alives So innocent did. he
look that two youDg girls took some
some time to explain to him that they
were really only wax. He thanked
them and walked on. Another time he
made believe he was wax-work, and
got friend to call attention to the vii
famous expression of his countenance,
until those in the crowd who saw that
he was not wax, cried 'sShame rs when,
to their establishment, he took the arm
OF the rude fellow and walked off with
him, while the crowd stared in indig-
nant wonder. Mr.. Raymond was
standing in the Art Gallery in front of
bronze statute of negro, OF. the most
decidedly African cast of countenance,
who held his freed arms aloft, while the
broken chains fell at his feet. A coun-
tryman came along and gazed in open
mouthed admiration; then he turned to
Mr.. Raymond and said, ''The Greek
slave, amt it?" "Yes, by the Powers
it isl said the actor. "Wen, I'm glad
I've seen it." said the man, ''for I've
always wanted to see that statue. l
heard it was pretty, but dern me if l
see any beauty in that, butit's more
like natur than them marble figgers."
A party Of ladies and gentlemen from
New York were reclining on the divans
in the Turkish house, the other day,
slipping coffee and smoking cigarettes,
when middle aged woman, the per-
feet type of a Centennial visitor, linen
duster, green veil, and all, thrust her
head in at the door. "Excuse me,nn
said she, drawing back, "I see have
intruded on aparty of Turks ''WaIk
right in, madam" said one of the gen.
tlemen, Z" and make yourself at home.n
you speak English very well, )" said
she, walking in and taking seat.
I" Yes" he replied, 81 have been in
this country some time. liked it so
well here that L brought these people
over. They don't speak English, but
they understand it," Then the woman
began series of questions that puzzled
the ingenuity of the gentleman to an
swer, particularly as the rest of his
party was shaking with suppressed
laughter. The woman asked so many
questions about the coffee that the gen.
tleman, whom I will call the Doctor,
insisted upon treating her to a cup,
which she drank with q relish.
Then she wanted to know about
the cigarettes. He told her that
Turkish ladies all smoked, and offered
her one and lighted it for her. She took
it between her teeth and pulled in with
all her might and main, and when she
got her mouth full of smoke she did
not know what to do with it. The Doc
tor showed her how to puff it out, and
after a great deal of coughing she got
all right again, but said she preferred
the coffee to the cigarettes. AT last she
asked the Doctor if he would write his
name in Turkish. This was stumper,
but he was equal to the,emergency,an land,
pulling blank card from his pocket,
he copied the inscription off the Jeru-
salem House near by. The woman was
delighted. ''Now l want you to write
me some Centennial notes." and she
handed out one of those tireSome little
books that all good Centennial visitors
90 around with. 'What shall say?"
said the Doctor. ''Say fell in with
party of Turks, who treated me to cot
fee and cigarettes. The Doctor was
at loss for moment, but his quick wit
came to the rescue; he spied the bill of
fare written in Turkish hanging on the
wall. He copied off the first item as near
as he could. The woman kept him busy
writing until he had copied every item
down from the bill, then he returned
the book to the delighted visitor.
WE'LL" said she, rising and tying an
extra knot in her veil, give always
heard that the Turks were heather.
Now l know they amt; there's nothing
like the Centennial for educating PEG
pie, and if any one ever says ;heathen
Turk in my presence again, I'll tell 'em
that know party of Turks, and they
are the most sociable people ever met!
May shake hands with the ladies?''
They smiled assent, and she gave them
a good honest grip. "This has been
the pleasantest part of my visit" said
she, as she bowed herself out. "And
the most amusing part of ours, said
my friends, as the old lady vanished
down the piazza steps. Aside from the
information one may gain at the Gen.
tennial, it will be seen that there is nc
end of fun to be had. The study Of
human nature is certainly amusing, and
comes in as a great relief after hours
among pictures and scientific inventions
Cor. Boston Gazette. .L.f Q
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