The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20

of the lion to be loaded on a camel ana
took Tartarin, camel, lion and negroes
to the nearest town.
Then ensued long and alarming
case. Lawyers, judges, attorneys, wit
nesses, swarmed around Tartarin. For
a month they dragged him from court
to court Then they let him off after
paying $500 francs damages. cost not
included.
Having no money, the unfortunate lion
slayer was reduced to selling his guns,
his daggers his revolvers, his Malay
creeses his drugs, his patent foods, even
his big boots and the shelter tent. 1t was
well that he had come provided with an
arsenal.
When everything was paid for only tho
lions skin and the camel remained to
him. He had the lion hide packed and
shipped to the brave Commandant Brav-
Ida The camel he intended to sell In or
der to get the coach hire to return to
Algiers.
But no one wanted camel. AT last he
was forced to start on foot. In this af-
Fiction the camel did not forsake him.
The strange animal had taken fancy to
him and followed him steadfastly, never
quitting him by yard.
At first Tartarin found this touching,
especially as the creature fed himself on
nothing. But after a few days he was
worried to find the glum beast always at
his heels He pondered on shaking his
companion off. He tried to outrun the
animal, but in vain. He threw stones at
1t, but the camel forgave him. 1t was not
until he reached Algiers, after eight ter
rible days, that he saw a chance to es-
cape by jumping into a ditch and then
taking side path. In minute or two
he was relieved by seeing the camel flying
along with immense strides and streach-
ing Its neck with wistful air.
Tartarin made his way at once to the
house Of his Moorish charmer. Surely she
would succor him till funds arrived from
Tarascon. But what did he find when he
reached the house? Captain Barbassou
was sitting on rug laughing while the
naughty Moorish lady sang a naughty
French song, with the latest French slang
in 1t.
The Infamous Barbassou only laughed
harder when he saw Tartarin. "Of course
she is not a Moorish lady," cried he.
"She is a French girl and only had her
joke with you. And your Montenegrin
Prince has Just gone to spend years In
prison for Investigating another mans
pocket But never mind my poor Tar
tarin. Though your money Is gone, the
zouave sails tomorrow, and you shall go
back with me-"
"Then they are all scamps in this coun-
tryl" howled Tartarin. After that he en-
braced the good captain. Next morning
he embarked in the small boat with his
preserver. Hardly had the craft left the
land before a camel appeared on the
quay, jumped into the river and swan
after him.
Tartarin affected not to know the anil
NAL. but Captain Barbassou was SO az
fected by its fidelity that he had it hauled
aboard the ship. The result was that Tar
tarin had to remain in his cabin through
the entire trip, not because Of the sick
ness of the sea this time, but because the
camel insisted on showing him the most
preposterous attentions.
However, he managed to give 1t the slip
again at Marseilles and breathed freely
when he got into the railway carriage.
Deceptive security! Hardly had they
gone two miles before every one was
looking out of the car windows. That
COMPOUNDED camel was racing along the
road with the train. Tartarin shut his
eyes in horror.
What kind of triumphal entry would
this be? Not sou, not lion, nothing
to show for his trip except a camell
Scarcely had the train come to stop
In Tarascon before the roof OF the sta
ton trembled to the shouts: "Tartarin
foreveri'' Long life to Tartarin. the
lion-slayerr And forth burst the wind
ing of hunting horns and the choruses
of the musical societies.
All Tarascon was there. Behold the
brave Commandant Bravida, Costecalde.
the armorer; the judge, the chemist. the
whole noble army of cap-shooters! They
pressed around him and carried him In
triumph to the street.
The hide of the blind lion sent to Bra
vida was the cause of all this riot. With
that humble fur exhibited in the club
room, the Tarasconians and behind them
the whole south of France had spoken of,
it. A drama had been invented. 1t was
not merely a single lion which Tartarin
had slain, but TO- nay 20-pooh! A herd
Of lions had been made into marrnalade.
Then came the climax of the pride and
Joy of Tarascon, when fancifully shaped
animal, covered with dust and foam ap-
peared behind the hero and galloped up to
him.
Tarascon feared for an instant that a
dragon had flown down into the town.
But Tartarin set his fellow citizens at
ease.
This Is my camel" he said, simply.
Already feeling the influence of the
splendid sun of Tarascon. he added:
ut is a noble beast 1t saw me XIII
all my lions!'
Then he took the arm VI DIe'Iua' "io
became red with pleasure at the familiar
ity. Followed by his camel, surrounded
by the sportsmen acclaimed by all the
populace he placidly proceeded toward
the baobab villa; and on the march, thus
began the account of his mighty hunt
ing;
"Once upon an evening you are to i'm
agine that out in the depths Of the Sa-
hara--"
Next Sundays one-page classic will be
''The Story of the False Prince" by
Wilhelm Hauff.