Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-07-02
7 AID | known what was going
4 to befall me when took steam.

VI DlNSd- - Ii'iIl ~ y i'ii AZ 80
dia should have probably continued
my journey eastward round the world
without stopping at the Land of the
Rajahs" In blissful ignorance, how
ever, landed at Calcutta.
The time of year was that when the
climate most favOrs up-cOuntry travel
ing. and so, after brief visit with
friends. started north by rail | was
the richer by half-a-dOZen Introductory
letters to men of more or less prOmin-
ence in the chief cities of the empire.
| went first to Benares-the sacred
city on the mighty Ganges, and sought
the house Of Sita Ram, TO whom one Of
my letters was addressed. Sita Ram
was "A wealthy and cultured HindoO
banker, and my friends had pictured
in glowing cOlors the hospitality that
would receive.
Before my ride through the city was
over | felt that hospitality Of any sort
from anyone would be dOubly welcome.
TO my surprise most Of the bazars and
business places were closed. though it
was nearly afternoon. Groups of evil
faced natives stood about in the
squares and streets, while police ana
soldiers appeared to be unusually plen-
tiful. | was made target for sullen
glances from all sides, and could not
help recalling the stirring times Of the
great mutiny, more than thirty years
back.
| found Sta Rams house to be pala-
tlal cream-cOlored building, not far
from the river. Its owner proved to be
absent, but his private secretary re-
celvcd me and opened the letter of in
PRODUCTION.
Baboo Das was sleek. mahogany
faced gentleman, who spoke English
perfectly, and wore European garments
of faultless cut.
"My hOnorcd master is in Allahabad
on matter of business" he explained.
"He will return in day or two, and
meanwhile the house and servants are
at your disposal"
| thanked Baboo Das, and inquired
the meaning of the strange sights had
witnessed in the city.
"There has been danger of a riot dur
Ing the past twenty-four hours" he re-
piled gravely; but it is believed to be
past now. The most ignorant of the
Hindoo population are angry because
the municipality have acquired the
Ramjee temple for the purpose of erect
ing new waterworks on its site. The
Mohammedans have taken part in the
disturbance because of the dearnesS
of provisions, for which the municipal
ity Is also responsible My honored
master belongs to the Board of Govern
ment and helped to purchase the tenn
pie"
lsuspected that Sta Rams departure
might be more in the order of flight
than of Il business trip.
Are you sure that the danger is
overE' asked, for had some notion of
going to Il hotel.
Yes replied BabOo Das. ''the riot
ers are cowed and submissive. My
masters house was under the protec-
tion of the police, but they withdrew
this morning"
His manner was so calm ana decided
that | quite forgot my fears. was
shown luxurious bed chamber. and a
little later dincd in solitude off dishes !
of gold and silver. The entire house
was furnished in n costly and Sump- |
tuouS style that showed its bachelor !
owner TO possess sense of European
taste as well as of barbaric splcndor.
During the evening was left pretty |
much TO myself, and us did not care to
venture into the street | passed the
time with cigar and a magazine, and
when | Signihed my wish to retire he
preceded me upstairs.
Squatted on a rug in the hall, Just
outside my room, was a bright-faced |
Hindoo lad, about II years old. A cord
dangled by his side. and. passing
through the door, communicated with
the fans that were attached to the cell
Ing of the apartment. The lad was evil
IDENTIFY the 'punky wallah," or fan pull
or. His name was Gunpat, Baboo Das
Informed me, and his duty was to keen
me cool during the sultry hours of the
night.
l chatted with the hoy for few mo-
ments, and found him to be intelligent
and fairly converSant with English.
Then l entered my room and lowered
the square Of rice mating that was
furled above the doorway. There was
also a door Of heavy teak-wood, but
did not think it necessary to close II.
The apartment had two windows, over
looking n small courtyard that con-
talned shrubs and fountain. After
riding most of the day in stufry and
jolting railway carriage was weary.
1t did not take me long to undress and
fall asleep. The last thing remember
was thu snf+ vrbirlIny of tho s,,,. -.