The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-12-20

-Ai" - NJ''ltaliN) 'll. YOU KNOW
they say Il mans heart is situated in his
stomach.
Which explains, I suppose, why some
men suffer so iearfuIly nom dyspepsia.
AN AsiATIc PoTENTATE.
The King ~ofCambodia as Described by nj.
AdolPhc Bclot.
Norodom, king Of Camhodia, is some
what of Il wag in his way. 1t is said
he had Il great desire TO visit the Paris
exhibition. but it appears there were
some political objections To his doing
so. Although, as n consequence of the
French p~rotectorate in ludo-Clina, he
has TO n certain extent adopted The
habits of European civilization, vet in
the main lie still remains II purely
Asiatic monarch, ruling over Il court
whose iantaatical customs can nGt but
appear most singular TO us. We have
it on the authority Of NJ. Adolplie Belot,
who has %io,rneyed to Cambodia and
has had audience of the king, that un-
der no pretensc whatever is amy one OF
his subjects permitted to touch him
without a special order. This cxam-
gerated Difference is not ~infreuuentty
attended with Observation-Disclosures
On one occasion, his horse having taken
fright and boltcd and run foul of a
post, his majesty was thrown on, OF
his carriage and lay wounded and
bleeding on the ground. There were
numerous mandal'ins and attendants
on the spot, but none of them dared to
ollcr him any assistance. Fortunately
a European happened to pass by at the
time, and taking pity on this forlorn
king. whom II silly ctiguct had con-
demned TO die unattended, he took him
up in his arms and carried him into
the palace. His being nursed in i'll
ness is entirely 4 matter for the hands
of the ''bonzes,n or hody-servants,
whose fingers havcto he bound in strips
Of cloth of gold. His hair-dresser,
previous to operating on the royal
head, has to put on gloves, over which
are worn heavy rings set with precious
stones. Working under these condi-
lions is no easy matter, and King Nor
odom's hair is undoubtedly the worst
cut OF any in the world, His majesty
has adopted II style of dress in vogue
III Europe seventy Years ago. He wears
a blue tail-coat with gold buttons, satin
knce-brecches and pumps. Notraveler
who has had an audience of his majesty
in his palace OF Pnon-Peuh has been
able to suppress u smile at the sight of
this Asiatic %potcntate in the evening
attire worn in the reign of George ".
King Norodom's harcm is noted for
lis beautiful women-all Asiatics from
different regions. Lately he had no
less than 500 wives, and lie considered
that Il moderate number. On one oc-
casion, being demonstrated with on the
subject by a missionary, who pointed
out TO him that he ought to be satisfied
with fewer wives-for instance, 100 as
being a unit of a century--he replied
that he would just as soon be a bachel-
or. This legion of spouses is watched
over, not by %cunuchs. as is generally
the case in the east, but by horribly de-
formed specimens of humanity. The
law in Cambodia is that whenever u
child is born deiorincd. intirln, or
crippled his parents shall hand him
over to the king, who rears him aud
raises him to the dignity Of a guardian
of his harcm. BY these means he con-
siders he insmes conjugal security.
But tradition says that these prccau-
tons have not ut all times beer attend
ed with success. inasmuch as ON one
occasion Il certain fayorite beauty
eioped with an ugly ~huncAback. The
runaWayS were so unWiSe as to seek a
refuge with II tribe of semi-savagcs
known as the Phuongs, who, being alb
solutcly ~callous to the charms OF the
fair sinner, delivered both her and her
lover into the hands oftlic king in en-
change for four Ncn and II sack of salt.
The guilty pair were Immediately de-
capitated. Norodom is not naturally
cruel. but he thought it was necessary
to make an example. Being a practical
monarch he insists on his wives max
ing good use of their time. Some at
tend to household duties, others have
the care of the royal wardrobe, and
others devote their energies and talents
to acting and dancing in plays invent
ed by the king himself on the models Of
the ancient poets, Tor he is an artist in
his way.
Norodom has sixty children, and is
reported an aircctionatc father. AS u
husband having the responsibility or 50
many wives he has, it appears, found
it necessary TO adhere to an old hsiatic
custom which prescribcs moderate
physical punishment of the fair son, in
the belief that it is not without good
effect. Now and again a few slight
strokes of a light rattan n II are adj
ministcred to the lonely shoulders of
IN unruly spouse. The punishment is
generally inflicted after King Norodom
has lost at play. for he is unfortunately
addicted to gambling, He puts on a
good face over his losses before his
partners, and invariably pays up; but
40 sooner has he returned to his harem
than his ill-lumor breaks out, and then
the ladies have u mauvais quart
d'henre. The beauty who happens to
be at fault had best keep out of his
reach. He understands French pretty
well, but can not speak it. The whole
of his vocabulary consists Of two words
-bonjour, tres-bien, But then tres
bien spoken at the right time may i'm.
ply a good deal.
Speaking of hunting, sewing-so-
cieties are great promoters of dears
MISUNDERSTANDING Chronicle.
African diamonds have become too
numerous for the European market,
and the largest trade is 10Y done
with Japan, whose people are growing
rich.
rnyslclan: Yes, madam, l have ex-
amined your husband. All he needs is
fresh air and exercise" Caller: .'Oh.
dear! He never will take exercise. and
l know there is nj use urging him to.
What shall | do?' Physician: Move
out Of the city into the suburbs. Get
some house advertised as five minutes
from the station Then he'll have to
tramp about five miles twice a day, OF
starye to death,"--M 7. Weekly.