The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-02-20
The King Of Smokers.

A year or two ago there died in
Rotterdam certain Mynher Van
Klaes, to whom is certainly due the
title of 'The King Of Smokers" To
gain this distinction in the great ma
ton of buffers must require almost
superhuman powers. and love for
the Indian weed that passes human
understanding. But Van Klaes was
ever superior to the emergency. It
took no effort on his part to gain the
smoky crown and wear it while he
lived. He did not even die young,
as We might have anticipated from
his immoderate use Of the weed, but
both enjoyed life and smoking until
after he had passed his eighty.irst
birthday. -
During the long visits Of smoking
years in which he reraed in his
pipe, Van KIaes consumed four tons
of tobacco, we'll wetted down by $780,
900 quarts of ale which he drank,
not to mention Scheidam schnapps
and other national beverages. ~
In Mynber's house was, a stump
tuous apartment, entirely devoted to
pipes and tobacco. Every variety
of weed grown on the earth's surface
was to be found there, in the plug,
cut upsor shredded; cigars and Gigs
rettes and cigarillas were grouped
about in tasteful display. But,
above all, Mynher's pipes arst rivet-
ed the visitors eye. In this choice
collection every branch or variety Of
the pipe family had its representa-
tive; one could trace the whole evo-
, luton OF the race, from the clumsy
bowl and thick stem of Sir Walter
J Raleigh's clay to the carved ineer-
schaum from Trebizond.
, In this temple of tobacco, the vet
eran would sit, putting proaigous vol
umes Of smoke from his well filled
pipe, only pausing now and then to
: wet his thirsty lips with 9 drink Of
3 ale. It is said that his last reflect
ing breath was borne from his life
less body on cloud Of smoke.
i A few hours before his death Van
: Klaes called for a notary to make
his will. Pulling vigorously, and af-
9 ter taking pull at his Scheidam,
Mynher gave precise directions for
+ the performance Of his obsequies. In
i the first place, his coffin was to be
g thoroughly lined with the tops, oot-
u toma and sides Of boxes that had
= contained his favorite cigars; then a
It bladder of the finest dry cut Dutch
golden leaf was to be placed at his
'e feet. Most important Of all, his ia.
- - vorite pipe must be laid at his side.
+ A firm conviction that his soul was
ID not going to dwell in those latitudes
At where Ere is sure to be close at hand,
caused Mynher to direct his execu-
p tor to place box of matches by his
,e side, and, with great foresight, he al.
so desired that flint and steel
70 should be added, as by some nnfor
" seen occurrence the matches nigh,
dampen before they would be wanted
Having thus attended to his per
sonal wants in the next world, Var
~ Klaes desired that the smokers il
at the neighborhood should be invitet
81 to his funeral, each one to be presen
en- ted with ten pounds of tobacco an,
two pipes stamped with the nam
vat and arms of Van Klaes, together wit
in the date Of the donors dennis.
an These guests were to be admonishe
ng to keep their pipes lighted durin
VIC service and to scatter ashes on th
coffin as it was being consigned {
mother earth. ~
The poor of the vicinity who o.
served these instructions faithful
were to be presented on the annive
se sary Of Mynher's death With t,
pounds of tobacco and a titkin OF q
apiece. After these items we're ,
ranged to his liking Mybher smo,.s
his last breath, constant to tl,a IA
j and certainly deserving to % in d q
talized as the Creates smoker ii.
lts. the hood."-[Ex.
Look e.s that woman a.
sweeps along With her courtly ira
not "nat q mystery is her attire? H
IT is lounced and furbelowed, fri
! and frizzed, futed and folded. D
low Tered and pulled, backed q
, ~ knife plated, sashed and SHRED, &
, :. dede and corseted, looped and lac