Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-03-28


death would tbe grievoussa crime.
Then he thought OF flying from his
post; but that would terminate his
career in the government service; and,
lastly, there was the village astrologer
and magician, whose local reputation
as to the possession of occult pow.
ers over animate and fnanimate oh.
jects was undisputed.. To seek such
assistance did not quite coincide with
the advanced ideas Of Bheem Das; but
the occasion was not one for abstract
reasoning.
The learned magician listened grave.
ly to Bheem Das' unfolding of the
situation, and replied that he felt con-
f1dent he would not only be able to
offer an explanation Of the panther's
visits, but could cast a spell over the
beast which would prevent a repeti'
ton of such unwelcome intrusions-
provided, of course. suitable re-
enumeration was made, of which pre-.
liminary fee Of one rupee was re.
quired.
Bheem Das regretfully laid the coin
in the magicians palm; whereupon
the magician rose and retired behind
a curtain. There he muttered to him.
self over a burning powder, the smoke
from which filled the room and the
throat of his client.
Presently he returned with the IN.
formation that, as he suspected, he
found that the spirit of the late
Dhondo Visram had entered into the
body of the panther, and as ,conse-
quence the animal was naturally at
tracted to the spot where 1t had prevl.
ously been in control. To induce the
beast to cease its visits would require
the performance Of certain rites by
person of great wisdom, like himself,
and such would be expensive. Other
wise-and he took note Of Bheem Das'
uneasy expression-the panther would
assuredly haunt the place, and might,
if famished--
Consideration for the sensitive feel.
ings of one in such position here In
tervened, and, merely by inference, he
let it be understood he would not be
at all surprised to hear his client had
been bodily, II not spiritually, incor-
porated in the panther.
Very nervously then Bheem Das de-
sired to be informed upon what terms
the magician would agree To prevent
such calamity.
"That," said he, lis not so easy to
compute, because the spells are difh-
cult to perform. But for so rupees,
paid in advance, can protect you
against further molestation.
The exorbitance of this demand first
stunned and then sharpened the wits
Of Bheem Das.
"You are sure it is the soul OF
Dhondo Visram in the panther?" he
asked, "and not one Of my relations?"
MAY my mouth be filled with dust,
and the souls of all my uncles turned
into swine, If I do not speak the
TRUTH" answered the magician.
Learned SIR" then said Bheem Das,
IL will go and return with the amount
presently"
But instead he made all speed to the
bungalow of the deputy commissioner,
muttering as he went along: "Since
it's only old Dhondo Visram in the
beast, what concern is it Of mine II
the panther is shot?"
And as a result of the visit Of Bheem
Das to the deputy commissioner, late
that evening four bearers carried the
body Of q black panther slung upon
bamboo poles into the village.
But, after all, Bheem Das was not
quite happy, as the astrologer declared
he had sent the soul Of Dhondo Visram
into a cobra, that had taken up its
abode in the thatch Of the telegraph
bungalows disquieting circumstance,
even though Bheem Das was man Of
advanced ideas.