The morning call., 1894-03-24
1.-THE MRS. BROCK.
The Woman Trader Is a
ContOrtiOnist.
Gymnastic Performances That Cre-
ated Sudden Demand for Porous
Plasters in the South Seas.

Persons desiring TO become traders in
the South Seas should give some little at
tentlon to the news received in this city
yesterday relative to Mrs. Captain Brock.
More Familiarity known as the woman
trader" is the lady who sailed for the
Marshall group of islands last summer In
the diminutive schooner Caleb Curtis.
Periodically Mrs. Brock has been heard
from as being first at this island or at
that of the South Sea archipelago. The
last glimpse of the Caleb Curtis was
caught near the Caroline Islands. and the
latest news is that the Curtis expedition
has not proved an absolute financial sue
cess so far as blue print, bead and tobacco
barlering is concerned.
But what Mrs. Brock has lost on mer-
chandise she has made up through the ex-
hibitiOn of ner attainments as a contor-
ZIONIST Ii may be shocking to naturalists
TO learn that the only woman trader in
the world of whom so mucn was expected
IN the matter of contributions 60 literature
and science has come down from her
perch of aspiration, and has determined t.
chase the almighty dollar in spile of repu-
ia ion and the stiDgs of the carpng critics
of her native land.
Yes. the Caleb Curtis cargo of gaudy
things failed to attract the eye of the dusky
bellies and beaux of the trol les, and Mrs
Captain Brack found it difficult 20 dispose
of lily powder and perfume 10 the islanders.
1t has thus come to light that Mrs. Cap
tain Brock is none Lther than an erstwhile
cohtortionlst and eX-employe OF a travelling
circus.
Special performances on the deck of the
Curtis. an entrance fee to which was
charged of sundry cocoanuts and bags of
cODra, were given and have established the
lady's reputation down south on firm
and enviab bic basis.
Natives 1ocked from all directions to
witness the queer antics of the double
woman" and every stripping in the island
villages is Row practicing on the beach at
bending the crabs, standing N their heads
and walking on their hands.
Not alone to the infantile community
has been confined the practice of imitat-
ing Mrs. Brooks twisting and turning of
body, but even the Kings. Queens and
warriors of the different tribes have ac-
quired the habit of attempting TO become
expert gymnasts, with the result that a
sudden and Unprecedented demand for
porous plasters has suddenly sprung up at
every island at which the Curtis has
touched.
Tincture of arnica, which has heretofore
been drug On the market. is now as
much sought after as whisky, and other
remedies for sprains and bruises are sold
at an advance figure.
A stout, benign and heretofore wholly
dignified chieftain of the village OF Pau
has created scandal at his headquarters
by setting apart certain hours of the day
TO practice the art Of making the sole of
his foot touch the back of bis head. Being
OF the weight of nearly $50 pounds, be has
found it impossible to accomplish the feat,
and has Consequently taken TO training for
the purpose of reducing his fash.
Happily for the natives and the main
tenance of their hereditary customs and
easy going methods of existence, the
Caleb Curtis sailed away for Australia on
the I'd of last month, and will not again be
heard of in the South Seas for many
moons to come.