The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-18
Tho King or SmokOrs.

"A year or TWO ago there died In Rot
terdam certain Mynheer Van Klaes,
to whom ia .oertaiuly duo tho title of
"The King Of Smokers" TO gain this
distinction In the great nation Of puff
ers must require almost superhuman
powers and love for tho Indian weed
that passes understanding. But Van
klaes was over superior to the emer-
xenoy. 1t took 20 effort on his part to
gain the smoky crown and wear 1t
whilo he livod. He did not even die
young, as we might have anticipated
from his immodorate use Of the weed,
but both enjoyed life and smoking
until ho had passed his eight7-tirst
birthday.
During the long vista Of smoky years
In which he reveled In his pipe, Van
Klaes consumed fonr tons or tobacco,
we'll wetted down by 600, 900 quarts of
ale which he drank, not to meLtion
Schiedam schnapps and other national
beverages.
In Mynheer's house was sumptu-
Gus apartment, entirely devoted to
the fragrant weed grown on the earth's
surface was to be found there, in the
plug, cut up or snreuueu. cigars, CT.
garettes and cigarlllas were grouped
about In tasteful display. But, above
all, Mynheer's pipes first riveted the
VISITORS eye. In Ghis choice collection
every branch or variety Of the pipe
family had its representative; one
GOULD trace the whole evolution OF the
race, from the clumsy bowl and thick
stom of Sir Walter Raleigh's clay to
tho lovely-carved meerschaum from
Trebizond.
In this temple Of tobacco the veteran
would sit putting prodigious volumes
of smokes from his well-tllled pipe,
only pausing now and then to wet his
thirsty lips with drink Of ale. It Is
said that his last redeoting breath was
borne from his llfeless body on cloud
Of fragrant smoke.
A few hours before his death, Van
Klaes called for notary to mako his
Will. Putting vigorously, and after
taking puff at his Schledam, My1 heer
gave precise directions for the perlor-
nance Of his obsequles. In the first
place, his coffin WAS to be thoroughly
lined with tho tops, bottoms and sides
Of boxes that had contained his favor
Ito cigars; then bladder Of the finest
dry-cut Dutch golden leaf was to be
placed at his feot. Most Important of
all, his favorite pipe must be laid by
his side. A firm conviction that his
soul was not going to dwell In these
latltudes where fire 10 always sure to be
| close at hand caused Mynhcer to direct
his executor to place box Of matches
ny his side, and with great foresight
ho also desired that flint and steel
should DO added, as by some unforeseen
occurrences tn matches might dampen
before they would be wanted.
Having thus attended to his personal
wants In the next world, Van Klaes
desired that the smokers in tho ne igh-
borhood should bo invited to his funeral,
each ono to bo presented with ten
pounds Of tobacco and two pipes
stamped with the namo and arms Of
Van Klaes, together with tho date of
the donors demise. These guests wero
to be admonlshcd to keep their pipes
lighted during aervlce, and to scatter
ashes on the coffin as 1t was being con-
signed TO mother earth.
The poor Of tho vicinity, who OBJ
served those instructions fai thtully,
wore to be presented on tho anniver-
sary of Mynheer's death with ton
pounds OF tobacco and firkln Of ale
apiece. After these items were arrang-
cd to his liking, Mynheer smoked his
last breath constant to tho last. and cer-
tainly deserving to DO immortallzed
as tho "greatest smoker since the
food"