Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-04
LATEST MEN IN THE WORLD.
Stories Told of q Hill Tribe of British
 India


 In these days of push and energy it sounds strange to talk of people as be- ing lazy, and still the Todas, hill tribe of India, are the laziest people in the world
 The Todas are not ashamed of their reputation and are free to confess that they know of nothing so foolish and stupid as work. Their one and only pursuit is the raising of buffaloes; they are far too indolent to follow the chase. An ax is their only weapon, all though they know how to make others. They use this for waging war and for felling trees. They will not till the land, considering this unnecessary la- bor. To make housekeeping easier, all their natural products are held in common: the idea of property is only restricted to the hut, Its contents and live stock.
 The buffaloes, which they own in large quantities, furnish them with skins for clothing and the hut, and the meat is used as food. But milk is their principal diet. They do not even relish the idea of milking their cattle: the head milkers are the only ones that are to be persuaded to do this labor. These men are chosen from the class of ''peiki'' or "sons of God" They are the priests and practice celi- baey. Although the priests tend to the cattle, each householder owns his cat tie.
 Much as these men dislike the car ing for their cattle they find farming less dlgnified calling. Some years ago they went to war with their neighbors. the Badaga and Kotas. as they might be able to levy a tax of one-eighth on their grain products. When their grain grows scarce they live on roots and berries. They will sell their land or give it away. but they will not cultivate if at any price.
 The building of bamboo huts does not interest them any more than the cultivating of the soil. and they make this task easy by making the boys cut the bamboo and their wives build the huts. It Is not unusual for three fam flies to share one abode. The men are often So lazy that they cannot afford one wife alone. but even this does not worry them; two or three brothers manage to support one wife. Indolent and slOthful. they sit Iistless for hours. uneoncerned about all things. What they know. they know well: they are intelligent within certain narrow linn Its. but they are too lazy to increase their store of knowledge. Whatever has to be done must he cared for by the women and children.
 Strangely. their appearance does not disclose this most marked characteris- tie. They are tall and we'll propor- toned. They look like Roman sena- tors. as they walk. wrapped fin skins resembling the ancient toga. Their appearance is not only prepossesslng. but bold and self-reliant.
 Many an amusing story is told of this small hill tribe. numbering about 400 men. An American missionary was working among them. when one day he saw some women and boys building a hut of bamboo. He inquired why the men were not performing this labor. and one woman explained: Husband mine don't work: me and boys build house."
 The missionary made no further comment. hut when the hut was built he told the husband that he must build another hut. as he could not live in home made by women and children. But the surprised Toda answered. ''No, no. me no work: man has boys and wife to work"
 The Toda meant what he said AL though the missionary argued. and h- nally horsewhipped the native. be could not get him to build a hut
 An equally amusing story Is told hy an English officer. He was 90 taken tg the handsome appearance of one Of the natives he wanted to take him to England and place him in his own regiment. The officer gave the native skins and silks until the Toda prom isef to bec0me an English soldier He was delighted with fhe officers bright gay uniform. He did not feel bad about leaving his country. his wife ana children. but when he was told that soldiers work. he said:
 sMe no he an English soldier; me he Toda. Me no work: me no like work
 When the English officer tried to persuade him he made answer. Take wife and boys: they he English sol- sierS-Ilke work Me stay home and rest: me be TO1a.--chicago Tribune.