The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-14
The Enchanted Carpet.

Peter Pancake put In coal. shoyeled show, dug
gardens cleaned boots made up furnace fires,
whitewashed kitchens and beat carpets. He
was a very honest and industrious colored man,
but work slack, and Peter was anxious to
get job,
One morning Peter put his carpet beating
stick under his and walked through the
steeets of Brooklyn, when an old man, with a
hooked nose, long gray beard and sharp, coal
black eyes. and clad in dressing gown beck
oned to him from the veranda of small frame
house.
sBeatest thou carpetsq" asked the old man.
Eyes, sah,' said Peter, touching his hat.
rDere amt no kim of carpet dat can't fotch
clean"
The old gentleman made sign for Peter Pan
cake to come in. Peter took off his hat, threw
It down in the entry Of the house and went in.
There was nothing extraordinary about the out
side Of the house. 1t was rather shabby one,
and seemed to want painting quite badly.
This way. Peter Pancake said the old man,
as he drew back heavy curtain, which opened
into what Peter thought was the parlor. Peter
was somewhat taken aback when he heard the
old man call him by name, but was more aston
ished at the peculiar way the room was arranged
The floor was covered with marble, and all
around the room were sofas, and in the middle
of the room was an alabaster fountain. with
water spouting from it, which water played up
in pretty big stream until it reached the cell
ing
that Peter should take seat Peter
knew his place, and hesitated at first,
but, seeing what was expected of him, sat down.
Then the old man clapped his hands, and sud
denly colored man came in, who was so coal
black that Peter could not help saying to him
self IL thought was pretty dark myself, but
Use just like snowflake alongside of dat var
colored pusson."
Then the colored servant, who was dressed in a
very queer way in short red velvet jacket,
and wore turban on his head offered Peter
Pancake cup of coffee which he carried on
gold waiter. Drink, O! my FRIEND" said the
old gentleman.
Now Peter, who had had no breakfast because
his last fve-cent piece had been spent the night
before, was glad enough to get the Coffee but he
wished he had had hunk of bread with it. The
coffee served on little cup not much bigger
than an eggshell, and when Peter had swal-
lowed the coffee he wished there was more of it,
but he didn't like to ask for a second supply.
Maybe Peter looked hungry. Anyhow, the old
man again clapped his hands and at once
other black man, dressed like the first one, came
IN. holding q big tray on his head. The black
man placed the tray on the floor, uncovered it,
and number of dishes were disclosed. Then
the black man made low bow and disappeared.
EAT and be merry" said the old man. Here
is lamb stuffed with pistachios cream pie fla
vored with cinnamon and ambergris, pancakes
with apricots, and peach sherbet."
ooh! golly," said Peter as his mouth watered,
''them's victuals." But there being no knife or
fork Peter was in doubt what to DO next
Then the old man went to the fountain,
washed his hands carefully and Peter. following
his example, did the same thing The old man
now squatted on the floor, curling mis- legs under
him. It was rather uncomfortable for Peter to
do this but he managed to tuck his feet under
himself, too The old man plunged his fingers
into the lamb and pistachios, made scoop out
Of piece of the pancake, took up some of the
gravy, and commenced eating. Peter felt kind
of uncomfortable at first but he did the best he
could with his fingers, and managed to make a
very hearty meal
After Peter and the old man had finished eat
ing, the old man again clapped his hands, and
another black man came in with a silver ever
and basin, and napkin embroidered with gold
thread The old man held his hands over the
basin while the black servant slowly poured some
perfumed water over them. Peter who was
quick witted, did the same thing Again the old
man clapped his hands, and a fourth black
servant brought in two large pipes with long
stems. presented one to the old man, the other
to Peter, and they both smoked away.
Nov, Peter Pancake said the old man, ''art
thou ready for work."
Yes, sah,' replied Peter.
TIE old man rose and Peter followed him.
full garden, planted with all kinds of rare flow
ers. There were broad walks, shaded by tall
trees with thick wavy branches, which looked
like tufts of feathers. Between the trunks of
the trees, ever so far away, Peter thought he
saw magnificent range of buildings, as if the
garden was surrounded by lofty palaces
Making his way silently along, the old man.
closely followed by Peter at last came to small
summer house. Here the old man stopped
and then knocked three times at the door Of
the summer house, saying in loud tone:
s'When is door not door!"
There was no sign of the door opening at all
The old man did not seem surprised at this; he
only repeated over again. in louder voice:
when is a door pot door, addressing himself
this time not to the door, but to Peter.
Now Peter. who was good on riddles had
heard this one O hundred times, SO, thinking
that he was asked TO guess this riddle, answered
at once: when it's ajar"
fright said the old man. That's a riddle
in all languages and King Solomon asked it of
Queen Shena"
Looking at the door, Peter saw that it swung
open at once on its hinges. The old man made a
sign to Peter to come inside the summer house,
but it was quite empty, and the only thing Peter
saw was q small carpet of many bright colors,
stretched on the floor.
ssThat's Turkish, boss-ain't it2n asked Peter
Not Turkish, but Persian" replied the old
man. Thou art to take that carpet and beat
IL clean
SWELL it amt much of job, but seeing you
have thrown in good breakfast, shan't charge
you much for it. Would quarter be too much?
1t won't take more than twenty minutes to pol
ish dat off, !" said Peter
Twenty five centsl-that's reasonable enough.
am. though, q very particular man, and want
every particle of dust beaten out Of ii. sup
pose can trust your
SIN course you kin; dere amt lady as wouldn't
trus' me in all Brooklyn. See here, Boss does
work for swell people on the Heights replied
Peter
Then Peter rolled up the carpet, which was
not more than Eve feet long by two broad, and
put it under his arm.
The old gentleman followed by Peter now
left the summer house, and Peter saw a small
gate which the old man opened and Peter went
out.
Peter was somewhat surprised to find himself
In one of those streets running between Fulton
and Atlantic avenues, for he thought for sure
that he had been transported to some far-distant
country. He was quite near an open lot, where
he used to beat his carpets.
Peter at once went TO work, stretched a
clothes-line between two trees and hung the
little carpet on it, and prepared for work.
Peter rolled up his sleeves seized his stick of
bamboo and hit the carpet heavy blow Never
In his born days had Peter seen so much dust
come from one carpet With the second blow