The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-03-31
"TIAIBUCTOO."

- A----@f - - l. - W
The Boulevard, that living stream, shone
rcsplcndcnt in thc fiery rays Of the settin1
sun. Tho sky was red and binding, while
behind tho Madeleine n brilliant cloud
threw its golden reflections tho lcn-th Of
the avenue. Tho gay, joyous crowd, NOV
Ing In this flaming light, seemed to lie
npotheosized-thcir faces were gildcd. their
hats and coats were tinted by the crimson
rays, while even their polished shoes cast
golden shadows on the asphalt. Before
the cafes crowds Of men were drinking
from glasses that seemed to be incrusted
with glowing precious stones.
In the midst OF this throng Of sobcrly
dressed mon two officers were seated, daz-
cling the eyes Of the multitude by the
splendor of their uniforms.
Suddenly tall, stout negro, dressed en-
tircly In white, with q vest covered with
gold cmbrodcrcs, his face shining as II
waxcd, passed the cafc with ridiculous
air Of importance. lie laughed necessarily
lat the crowd 40 the ncwsboys, at the
brilliant sky at all Paris lie was 50 rilll
that nc lowered above every one. The
loungcf5 stared nc him, while he stared at
the two officers. Jostling and tumbling
over the people in his pnth, he rushed for
ward TO their table, fixing upon one OF
them his shining, delighted eyes. while his
mouth was stretched from car TO ear, ex-
hibitng his white teeth, which were like
tho moon crossing n dark sky.
Tho two officers gazcd at the ebony
giant without understanding his emotion
or recognizing him.
In queer voice, which made the tables
ring with the laughter OF tho spectators,
lac cried, Bon jour, mon licutcnnntw
One OF the officers was chief Of battalion,
the othcra colonel.
81 do not know you, sir, or what you wish
Of me" the senior officer answered
The negro replied, "Moi love you much
Lieutenant Ncdie--sicgc Of Bczi, ST, 81, va
The officer, astounded at this jargon.
looked nxedly 40 the negro, searching his
memory TO the bottom. Suddenly he ex-
claimed, "Timbuctool'
Tho radiant negro clnpped his thigh and
uttered cry which amounted in violence
to a roar.
Isl, 81, va, yal You know me-Tlmbuc
too.n
Tho commandant extended his hand,
laughing with all his heart Then Tim
buctoo became very grave. He seized the
hand Of the officer, and before releasing il
kissed IL with rapture, according to Arabic
and African custom. The embarrassed
officer rcprovcd him in severe tones. Let
up, Timbuctool We arc not in Africa.
Sit down and tell me how find YOU here"
Timbuctoo drew himself up with infinite
dignity, and while stammering and stamp
ing he answered, Moi bon cuisinier, moi
mango, roll teaucoup, des prussiens"-
which reply was accompanied with bowls
Of joy.
When the officer, who alone understood
this strange language, had questioned him
at lonsth he dismissed him with, EAU
revoir, Timbuctoo. III see you later"
The negro arose, and contcnting himself
this time with a pressure Of the baud
cried out, Zion jour, va, va, " gcsticulating
and laughing as he disappeared.
The amused spectators were now CON
vinced that he was a lunatic, whilo the
colonel demanded, "Well, who is this black
brutos"
"a good soldier, and brave one. am
going 20 tell you his story. It Is amusing
You recall that in 1870 / was shut up In
Doziorcs. which the negro called Bczi
We were not bcsieged, but blockaded
Tho Prussian lines surrounded us, up TO
the lannon's mouth and though they did
not attack US, we were starving little 10y
little. was then lieutcnant-our gar
risnn was composed Of troops of many
varieties. tho remains Of regiments nearly
annihiuted. desertcrs, marauders, all sorts
in fact.
"Oue evening twelve Turks arrived.
No one knew from whence or how they
came. They presented themselves at the
gate, weary, battered and hungry. The
men were assigned to me. and / soon
learned that they were rebels against all
authority and ignored discipline. They
were always out and always drunk.
tried the police quarters, thon the prison
nothing succeeded. NY men would dis
appear Tor entire days. as II buried in the
very earth Then they would reappear in
n condition that rcscmbled intoxication.
They had no money-whorc did they drink
and howP
"rhis state Of affairs began to puzzle me
Intensely, especially rs these poor savagcs
amused and interested me by their eternal
good spirits. They were simply big, play
ful children. observed that they blindly
obcycd the tall fellow, whom you have Just
seen. llc governed them by his strong
will and led thcm in all their mysterious
enterprises as II DC were their chief Final
ly l ordered them before me and ques-
toned them closely.
"Our interview lasted three hours, so
eager was 70 penetrate this singular cha
rabia.' As for him, the poor devil made fran
Tic cnortst to be uderstoOd-invcntod words.
rcsticulated, whistled, rerspircd, then
stopped When he fancicd had canght his
meaning l discovered that he was tho
son Of a chicf-n sort Of negro king-in tho
reighhorhood Of Timbuctoo. naked him
lis name. Ho answered with something
That sounded like CHAR hari houla lali1
+ seemed to me simpler matter TO give
him the name Ct his country. aud IN eight
days the entire garrison 50 called him.
But we were still curious to know how
shis savage obtained his liquor. discov-
aed tin singular way Onthe ranparss