The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
Beautiful Forest of Hyeres
 Damaged by Fire
HAS TOY THAT TALKS
Muley Hafid Receiving Many Curious Letters - Jeweler Is Collecting Rare Art Treasures-Cleyer
 Scheme Worked


 throughout France.
 M. Briand, the minister of justice, has issued circular inviting the local au- thorities responsible for law and order to enforce with great stringency the laws already in existence relating to the carry ing of weapons, without waiting for the further legislation promised on the sub- ject and actually under discussion in par lament. Attention Is drawn to the con- siderable increase in crime, including murder, shown in police statistics, and are directed to inflict severe sentences in all cases where rioters, drunkards and old offenders are arrested with arms in their possession. There has in the past been far too great a readi- ness to admit extenuating circumstances, with the result that the essential securi- ty of the community is menaced. From November reports are to be made to the minister every three months of charges of carrying prohibited weapons or of their use in the commission of acts of violence, together with the result of these charges.
 dispatch from Touon states that a great fire has destroyed a large portion of the beautiful woods and forest of Hyer chiefly the part known as the Bois de la Manniere. The property of M. Paul Bourget, on the edge of the woods, as well as the sanatorium of the Mont des Oiseaux, and the Costebelle hotel, which is frequented by so many American tourists in winter were badly burned. 1t is feared that the greater part of this beautiful coast line will be rayaged by the flames, which are still progress in spite of the efforts of all the troops in the neighborhood. night and in great alarm, and warships are being sent from Toulon.
 One of the most attractive exhibits at the Lepine show of toys and inventions which is now open at the Grand Palais Is the 'Ds-donc," a speaking automaton.
 "Dis-donc' is a handsome life-sized figure with black satin brooches, black silk stockings and a scarlet dress coat. When wound up he will sing you a song, make you a speech, or describe to you the quality of any commodity you have to sell, accompanying his remarks with appropriate gestures.
 'Dis-donc" can speak or sing all things. and at the wish of his owner will dis play his talent in the street, in a shop, or in a drawing room
 He has no preference in the matter of clothes, and whether you dress him as clown and oblge him to talk non sense, or At him out in the latest triumph of the tailor's art and ask him to re- cite a poem of Rostand, it Is all one to him. Dis-donc will appear on the plat form or leave it as you desire. He will change his costume, so that you would not recognize him, and in few min utes more, when his phonograph disc and his repertoire of gestures have been he will delight an astonished au- dienee with new, original and amusing batter.
 Mulay Haf1d has been receiving between 400 and 500 letters day. In the beginning he ordered his interpreters and secre- taries to answer them all They were for his autograph. But now the mail is becoming too voluminous alto gether The local postoffice has to de- liver entire bagsful Some of them con tain the strangest requests.
 One letter from poor woman in the contains 0 request for the position Of concierge on his land near rangier. A hairdresser of Montmarte of- fers to become his barber. A singer of the opera offers to divert his ex-majesty by his marvellous voice X professor of gym teach Swedish exercises. Muley Hafd has decided to give tacit refusal for the future to all such requests. but he won 1ers, nevertheless, how it is that he now receives more letters than he ever did whilst he was Sultan.
 A well known Paris jeweler, who is jealous of the success of up to date Paris who have introduced musical and literary teas as an adjunct to the commercial side of their enterprises, is making novel departure. He is con- verting the ante-chamber of his premises into a marvel of eighteenth century art. This room will lead to a second, which will contain the most brilliant triumphs of the jewellers art. Jewels will be dis played in beautiful cabinets. and at each end of the room will he glided loggias in which eorgeously clad musicians will play laugurous music.
 An ingenious Partisan window cleaner discovered an original method of earn ing a living which he practiced with success until his plan was discovered by the authorities
 He would manage to hurt himself slightly during q piece of work, and then give up cleaning windows to pay a round of visits to the doctors During the S6 days of his last accident he paid 165 visits to 9 different doctors, who in all prescribed for his aiment $50 worth of medicine, The mystery Of these visits was explained in court.
 II Is the habit of some doctors in France in order to encourage clients who are insured against accidents and whose bills are paid hY the insurance companies to give the insured workman sl on his first visit to them and from 10 cents to 20 cents every time afterwards The pre- scriptions also were turned to advantage by the ingenious window cleaner.
 Asked in court whether he took all the medicine. the man said he might be dead if he had, and explained he sold the prescription to interruptions chemists who would present them to the insurance as having been supplied and obtain their settlement.
 The window cleaner was sentenced to six months Imprisonment and a fine of sl0. and made 10 pay Sloo damages to an insurance company.
 A bottle. tightly corked containing q simple message, was picked up by an in- habitant of st Brevin. who at once took it. as was his duty, to the maritime au- thorities 4 solemn council of officials opened the bottle but found the mes sage was written in English on. paper belonging to the Prince line.
 They hastily sent for the British con
 sul. who was ushered into the room with much solemuty and handed the message,
 which read as follows
 ship in distress No whisky on board.
 Fill the bottle and return 1t.
 Mrs Armour Is Recovering