Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07
GOING OVER THE HOUSE
Surprises Found When Down
Stairs Was Inspected.
WILD BEASTS VISIT
MIsCHIEvoUS BEHAVIOR OF A
PARTY OF APES.
Takes a Small knowledge OF the
Language to Deal With
Natives.
WILD BEASTS VISIT

Spccial Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
DALHOESIE, India, October l, 1898.
After we had finally settled the question
of servants, and succeeded in getting our
small bungalow on a Himalayan hilltop
into good running order, we began to feel
that we deserved a little pleasure, and our
thoughts turned toward the possession OF
two of those stout little ponies to be found
all through the Indian hills. So one morn
ing we went down the short stairway lead
ing to the servants quarters to inspect the
godowns with the view of using two OF
them as stables for our riding ponies
We would probably be considered very in
efficient housekeepers if it were known that
although we had been for over ten days IN
our cottage we had never yet been about
those godowns on tour of inspection VI
course we had carefully looked over our
kitchen, with it's stove made OF clay
and set into the wall three feet from the
floor: and we had had the servants room
next it thoroughly cleaned, but when told
by the little Eurasian lady that the other
three rooms of the long and low stone house
were locked, and that the care-taker hao
the keys, which he would give us as soon
as he returned from the bazaar. we felt sat
isfied. and since that time had been too
busy and worried about other things to
think of that part of our estate at ALL
When we did finally get to the godowns
we found the doors of the three rooms we
had not seen open, and from TWO Oh tnem
issued a very strong smell of a cow stable.
The first room proved to be the abode OF
the caretaker, who, we were now for the
first time informed went with the place
Though we ought to have been told that
fact before, we were not averSe- to having
him, for he was quiet. respectable small
person. with few belongings apparently
except a beautiful little spaniel, who made
friends with us at once: and. besides that.
falf to hay
be responsible for the place and the furni-
ture which we had stored away:
Two Cow Stables.
The next two rooms filled US with amaze
ment and disgust. for they were not only
stables for cows, but the very dirtiest and
most Objectionable ones at that. On inquiry
we discovered that in the first of the two
abode two cows calf and three huge
goats: in the second two buffaloes and a
calf, two sheep and two women. We were
indeed filled with dismay and also with
rage why were we not told of this be-
fore?" We demanded this fiercely. HUI
zoors." answered the amiable caretaker.
touching his forehead These being all let
to COW people. They of quiet are, and fresh
milk to the Huzoors will give the whole of
every day. Where are we going to keep
our pones?' we cried wildly, and there was
silence the subject.
After a long discussion ana mucn thought
we finally decided that, rather than have
any trouble. would let the menagerie
alone. especially as we were told that it
was difficult to get milk up here on the hill
top, and by leaving them we could our
selves see the cows MIXED twice a day and
manage to have the stables kept clean and
the animals well; so the ponies were
given up.
5000 feet up) were the haunts of leopards,
bears and enormous apes, our great desire
to have the creatures prowl about near
enough for us to see them plainly
selves. and one night our wish was really
gratified.
Story Telling Ceased.
We had been sitting for nearly an hour
in the freight. talking in a desultory way,
when there came a decided thump upon the
dcorsof room at the back of the house.
At first we were startled. but then con-
Guiding that one of our wild beasts had
really come at last, we ran softly to the
back of the house to door which was
partly of glass. and there indeed we saw
the old man-eating leopard.
He looked huge in the indiStnct light as
he prowled about with stealthest tread,
and not being in the least afraid, we were
deeply interested in the beautiful creature.
He walked the length of the bungalow and
then with the greatest ease and grace
sprang up to the top of the hedge back
of the house, jump of about five feet, and
disappeared over the hilltop.
OF course, when we told our friend, the
officer about it he at first did not believe
us, until seeing the big tracks he was
forced to credit our tale, and at once made
elaborate plans for capturing the crea-
ture.
The next day a large cage containing a
kid was brought up hill the head of a
stalwart coolie and left at the foot of the
ledge, and when it grew dark our officer
with one or two of his friends appeared and
prepared to lie in wait on the veranda
with loaded guns. Alas for them. but. I
must confess, much to our joy, the big
beast did not come, nor did he come the