The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-03-03
The GOVERNOR AND THE BEAR. /
A FRENCHMAN'S FANTASY OF
BARNUM AND INDIA.
TRANSLATED From the French.)
From the FrencI
7575a52s2EEsa51515l5151s

Ii75257515252s252S1515257551s&25s!
Summoned in haste for an unexpect-
ed meeting, the Town Councillors of
Sydney City assembled in the Senate
Hall. Sydney City is one of the quiet
est and most peaceful communities in
India. Nothing unexpected ever hap
pens there and the days pass in Sc
rene monotony This may serve to
explain the tumultuous emotions of the
worthy councillors on this occasion.
Arriving at the hall, they FASTENED
to ask what was the matter. Had
any terrible catastrophe occurred
Had the police discovered some new
and horrible crime? The eager ques-
lions few from one side of the room
to the other, but to no purpose. No
one knew anything about the matter.
Finally, to their great relief. bell
rang, the door opened and the presi-
dent of the council, the venerable Ra-
jah Por, appeared. But alas! the I'M
easiness felt by his colleagues was
only too clearly stamped upon his own
face. He looked haggard and worn.
Taking his seat, Rajah Por began, IN
cavernous voice:
The ancients, our masters in the
noble art OF learning"
The president was well instructed
man, but he had selected poor time
to air his eruditlon. From all sides of
the hall came low murmurs.
Tell us the reason for our assem-
bling. What has happened?"
The President bowed graciously.
VERY well, then, gentlemen. This
is the reason of your presence here
now. You know that his Excellency
the Governor is about to honor Sgd
ney City with a visit for the first
time. I do not hesitate to say that
we have done all in our power to pre-
pare a magnificent and worthy recep-
bion for him. Who could have fore
seen what has actually occurred?
"This morning I received a telegram
from his Excellency. 1t contained
these simple words: ARRIVE to-mor-
row morning early for bear hunt"
The Councillors gave one low. stimuli
taneous groan. There Is one indispen-
sable condition for bear hunt. There
must be a bear And hunting for
bears in the pleasant forest around
Sydney City would be like fishing for
crocodiles in the Atlantic Ocean!
I'VE are ready for discussion" said
the president, as horror-stricken 81
Gel hn
you all to snow the greatest calm. Do
not all talk at once"
He might better have said. do not
all be silent at once" for no one said
a word. The president insisted.
Some one must say something.
Kaschemir-Kousch, you are clever
man, what is your opinion as to the
best sthing to be done?"
Kaschemir Kousch ventured the
opinion that the best thing to do was
TO tell his Excellency that, as there
were no bears in Sydney City, it would
become necessary for him to postpone
his nunt.
This proposition was Immediately
voted down. II the Governor wanted
a bear, bear must be procured. It
would be highly impertinent to sug-
gest to his Excellency that he was but
poorly informed of the fauna OF one
Of his own cities.
"Rahma-Dou, what have you to
say?" asked the president.
Rahma-Dou suggested weakly that
q mechanical bear might be made
which would answer the purpose.
There was no time for this. however,
and tine suggestion was passed by.
"Surah-Maboul, have you any advice
to offer?" continued the president, in
q voice that sounded almost imploring.
Surah-Maboul was silent for a mo
ment, and then brilliant inspiration
seized him. why should not bear
skin be borrowed somewhere and one
Of the Councillor dress up in it and
enact an appropriate pantomime?"
This idea was received with much
applause until one of the members
remarked plaintively:
but, his Excellency would shoot al
Us and that would not be pleasant"
Once more silence filled the hall
To organize q bsar hunt without any