Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1895-12-27
THE INDIAN BABO0.r
Thcy Have Fondness for Long
Words That Is Amusing.
Story of Three Who Wished TO Travel by
Boat TO Calcutta--Even the South
ern Negro Cannot Excel This
PoiysyIlabic Absurdity.

L
words has long been a stock subiec
of humorous anecdote; but the Eng
lish funny man" has now an equa
opportunity with his American riva
to deal in fun of that particular sort
for even the southern negro cal
scarcely excel the poysyllabic alb
surdity of the ''baboo" of British
| India.
A writer in Macmillan's Magazin,
gives graphic account Of his deal
ings with native subjects in Indit
while managing the ticket office Of 6
line Of steamers by which great mum
bers Of coolies are wont to 90 x
Burmah In the harvesting season. II
is most amusing exposition OF the
devious ways Of an oriental people
but perhaps the cream OF IL Is The
report Of an interview with three
baboos, who, assuming an immense
air Of superiority, declared a wish te
sail for Calcutta on the morrow.
They were told there was no boa,
that day; none till Friday, aud nc
tickets yet on sale. They stared
haughtily.
1T will not accord with con-
venience. We have promulgated
arrangements which tits undesirable
to readjust" exclaimed the leader.
Very unpropitious to rearranger
another baboo added.
The agent then politely invited
them to sit down, and he would see
what could be done. Unluckily a
bench which usually stood against
the wall had been removed, and they
supposed themselves insulted.
Shall we sit upon your dirty
foorp Do you conceive that we are
COOLEST" they inquired, angrily; but
presently, their tickets being handed
them, they were sufficiently pacifed
to make known their further desires.
"Our circumstances, said the
spokesman, "oblige that we travel.
on deck. But it's dero2atory to as.
sociate ourselves with common per-
sons. We will therefore take COM
to the captain of ship,
him to install us and lug
gage upon hatch.
Now the hatch coverings, being
raised foot above the common deck,
are regarded as choice positions by
deck passengers, and could only be
occupied by special permission-this
being necessary to avoid |
d series of free fights during the
voyage. But the naughty tone of
the baboo in claiming, instead of
asking, the favor, provoked the
agent, who refused to write any
communication to the captain. The
baboos thereupon became again in
dignant.
"You think we are COOLEST We
are educated gentlemen of Calcutta"
they cried.
They were told they could them
selves ask the captain; but to this
they replied that it was "chimerical,
and doubtful if he would allow them
to ensconce upon hatch" and they
took their final departure in great
rage, threatening to "indite protest
to local journals"
An odd contrast to these lofty gen
tlemen were the two last customers
for the day-two coolies. There was
but one remaining ticket. Each
coolie insisted that he had been the
first conner. The agent himself had
not noticed them enter, and he final
ly suggested, as a last resort, that
they toss up. They agreed, and he
showed rupee.
very good; you, big coolie, head;
you, little coolie, flower"
The flower came uppermost, and
the little coolie seized his ticket and
himself out, smiling broad
". The big coolie, still unsatisied,
beseechingly. Atlast, very
sadly, he went away.
He is not more than forty years
Did, and only six feet high, says the
tender-hearted narrator, "but feel
quite sorry for him as he goes down
The stairs, step by step, sobbing."