The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-07-13
A Tigers Head from Cabul.

Not long ago little German boy in
Prussia was making a collection of
rare postage-stamps, but had failed to
obtain any of those queer-looking
stamps of Afghanistan, with tigers
head roughly outlined upon them,
known as Cabul stamps of the reign of
Shere Ali. Ameer Shere Ali was the
first to introduce postage-stamps in
the city of Cabul, and when he was
dethroned by the British in 1879, a
quantity of these stamps were seized
by Sir Louis Cavagnari, who was Eng
lsh Resident at the court of Ameer
Yakoob Khan. Cavagnari was slain
in the same year, and Yakoob Khan
was intrusted to the care of an Eng
lish officer; and Cabul stamps of the
reign of Shere Ali became rare. Only
a limited number came into the Europ-
can and American markets, and the
little German boy of whom we write
found it impossible to procure them in
Berlin. At last he determined to write
to the ex-Ameer Yakoob Khan, who
he had heard was tender-hearted
man, and fond of children.
The German boys letter to him may
be translated as follows:
"Your Majesty, am a little German
boy, and am making a collection OF
stamps. l wish very much to procure
some stamps of your Majesty's
kingdom, and shall be very much
obliged if your Majesty would send
me some"
The letter reached Bombay in due
time and was despatched by railway
to Saharampoor, where the letter-bae
was placed on the back of an Indiar
coolie and carried up the hills to Mas
SQUIRE, which is a hill-station of the
Himalayas, some 5000 feet above the
level of the sea. Here the ex-Ameel
Yakoob Khan was being carefully anC
comfortably lodged in charge of al
English officer.
Yakoob Khan does not know Ger
man, but the "little boys" letter was
translated by the interpreter into
Pushto, or the Afghan tongue. The
ex-Ameer was pleased by the letter
and a selection of Cabul stamps was
sent by an early mail, with a letter
written by the English officer, explain
| ing that his Highness the ex-Ameer o
Cabul had great pleasure in complying
with the request of good little Ger
man boy, as he had heard of the great
ness of the German people.
In due course the British officer re.
ceived the following reply:
"Kind English Officer: The stamps
which you have SC, kindly sent nj
have arrived and are much valued b,
me in my collection. I showed then
and your letter to distinguished Ger
man officer who is staying at m,
fathers house, and he is so pleased
with the kindness of an English Office
to little German boy that l asked
him to give me his photograph to SEM
to you, which he has done, and h
hopes you will accept it."
To the surprise and pleasure of tn
English officer, the photograph in
closed was that of the COMMANDMENT
Chief of the German Army, and tn
autograph written under itwas "Vol
Moltke, Field-marshal."
Upon inquiry it appeared that tn
"little German boy" was the son of
great German manufacturer, Who's
name is well known in Prussia as on
who has provided benevolent institu
tions for workmen. His father wa
entertaining Field-marshal Won Moltk
at his house when the Cabul stamp
sent by the English officer arrived
Thomas p. Hughes. D. D., IN ST.. Nich
oIaS.