The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1889-05-04
SINDBAD IN AMERICA.
What the Famous Arabian Sailor Heard
and Saw in the New World.


What the Famous Arabian Sailor Heard
and Saw In the New World.
About the biggest thing struck dur
ng my sojourn in the United States, "
remarked Sindbad, after long period
of silence, "was the Spiritualistic
racket"
"What's that?" inquired Hindbad,
with an appearance of interest.
''What is it?" cried Sindbad excit-
edly. "Well, it's the greatest idea
you ever heard of. The scheme is
generally worked by an elderly female
of about two hundred pounds weight,
with an emotional nature and a wicked
eye. For a trifing sum, equivalent to
about three sequins of our money, this
lady will cause a choice assortment of
spirits of all ages and both sexes to
amble forth from black walnut cabi-
net, which has been previously exam
ined by a committee from the audience,
and converse affably with those they
have known and loved in lifetime"
''She will, eh?" said Hindbad, with
an incredulous smile.
"Yes, she will, and can prove it, "
responded Sindbad, evidently hurt.
"But her best racket is to get backer
in the shape of a venerable man with
dreamy eyes and good business con-
nections. The way she freezes onto
him, if may be permitted the express
sion. is a caution. Mediums, as these
rarely-gifted beings are called, come
high, but some of the moneyed men
feel that they must have them"
$50 1 should suppose" said Hind
bad, sitting yawn and trying to look
interested.
Sindbad gazed at him sharply a few
moments, and then, with a sigh, re-
sumed:
Another thing which interested me
a good deal in the land of the Franks
was the mind cure, which has grown
to be quite business. I've been think
ing some of introducing it into Bag
dad"
Does it take much capital?" asked
Hindbad.
'1t doesn't take any. Suppose am
a professor of the science of mental
healing. You are taken i'll and send
for me. sit by your side in silence
and with closed eyes for about half an
hour. then collect two sequins and
go on to my next stand. "
And what good does that do me?"
demanded Hindbad.
THAT depends" said the sailor,
with significant shrug of his shoul-
ders.
''Humph! And you mean to say
that the Franks stand that sort of
thing?'
Certainly 1 do. Do you doubt my
word?"
No; but I'm glad you told me, be-
cause l had different idea of them"
returned Hindbad, gazing at the cell
ing with peculiar smile.
YES" muttered Sindbad beneath
his breath, his face flushing with in
dignation, you'll swallow all the fairy
stories I want to tell you and call for
more; but as soon as 1 get down to
cold facts you begin to express in
credulity. All right, have it your own
way. Another thing, Hindbad," he
added aloud, ''that impressed me
deeply in the United States was the
distinct articulation of the church
choirs; you can always understand
every blamed word they sing"
"Allah is greatr' calculated Hind
bad, piously.
"Their actors" continued Sindbad,
with animation, unlike ours, never
become afflicted with cranial enlarge
ment, but are characterized by
shrinking modesty which at times is
almost painful. l should also mention
that bald heads are never seen in the
front row at burlesque performances
as in Bagbad, and that mashers are
unknown. American humorists, /
must not forgot to add. are prohibited
by law from perpetrating chestnuts,
and references to Susan B. Anthony,
the mother-in-law and the spring
poem are never found.in their works"
'By the beard of the Prophet. "
cried Hindbad enthusiastically as he
reached for his turban, "a wonderful
country! You must tell me more about
it the next time 1 come around" And
he meandered thence, pondering deep
ly upon what he had heard.-F. A.
Stearns, in N. Y. World.