The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-27
THE CANES WE CARRY.
New York Graphic.

The antiquity of the cane or walk ing stick is little obscure. Here and there history has mentioned walking stick, but the article in those times, like the people, seemed best qualified for war. Abraham introduced the fashion of carrying sticks. When he went up into the mountains to sacri- 1 flee his son he took stick with him as companion. Then Moses con- mended the cane to the prohibitionists of his time. He smote rock with a rod and the rock immediately gave forth water. The three wise men from the east are painted, though not described, as carrying sticks, and it is often mentioned in Biblical history that shepherds used two story walk ing stick to guard their fiocks, dogs not being generally known in those days. Adonis, the Adonis of mythol- ogy, had sort of walking stick given him that was magical in its power, but he paid little attention to his present, having mania for the cross- bow. And with short jump into Greece, just across the Hellespoint, the Ale manni carried short, thick sticks as sidearms to their broadswords.
 Having apparently fulfilled their mission as weapons of war, walking sticks fell into disrepute. For cen- turies nothing was heard, or at least nothing was written about them that outlived time. In the last chapters of medieval history they came to the front, but as an article of preseryer's wardrobe instead of the destroyer. It is said that in the sixteenth century physicians began the carrying of canes as an emblem of their office. In the court of France, in the days of the latter Louis, the court physician car- ried hollow cane filled with smelling salts. The custom extended to Eng land, and in the canes of some of the physicians all sorts of medical proper ties were slowed. The fashion devel- oped into the doctor placing disinfect- ants in the chamber of his walking stick when he was obliged to associate with contagious diseases.
 It seems that the Mexicans first used canes in America. When the Spanish conquered the country a queer custom was introduced. The chief executive of the town carried cane with gold or silver head. It was kind of sceptre. The people, of course, rarely knew how to read or write, and when anyone was wanted for crime, one of the mayors subor- dinates would take the cane, find the culprit and place it horizontally over the latter's chest. The proceeding was equivalent to a summons, and the man had to appear before the mayor under penalty of being cast into pris- on. This custom was borrowed from Spain, where it still prevails in the more important sections.
 The English, first to dispense with the sword, doubtless originated the scheme of using cane as an article of fashion merely. It is said of Dr. Johnson, the philosopher of the last century, that he had a weakness for canes which grew out of prospective islander. Samuel Foote was an actor of very little merit, but as a mimic and caricaturist never had an equal. Foote was cripple, having but one leg. Johnson affected to despise him. Foote was anxious to obtain recogni- tion from so great 8 man, and he thought it would gain him the &C., quaintance of the philosopher and the applause of the public if he would mimic Johnson. He thereupon an- nounced that he would burlesoue the stage. Johnson learned of Foote's in- tentions.
 "How much can a stout cane be purchased for?" he asked of friend.
 "Half crown" was the reply.
 "Then," commanded Johnson in his peremptory way, "here is a crown. Buy me doubly stout one. Pll make that fellow walk with no legs. D | Shortly after Johnson died the walking stick fell into disuse. A crutch made T shape was affected for while, but never gained popularity, and the walking stick came to the front once more, and its place as an assistance to gentlemanly carriage has never since been usurped.
 The cane of early American history, like that of Biblical times, was part of the repertory of the church. It was the principal badge of the deacon. The cane was about five feet long. One end was embelished with a big knob, the other with feathers. When !, the small boy rebelled against the , straight backed pew he got rap on the head with the uncharitable end of
 the cane. Ii the head of the family , got to dreaming about his old English home and the cosy little nest in one of , the shires the turkeys plumage on the deacon's cane feathered the sleeper in- to life again.
 The Irish have always been associ-
 ated with a blackthorn stick of short