The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1914-04-24
MEAT IN CENTRAL AFRICA.
When the Butcher Murders Bull the
People Get Beef.

Travellers in Africa find the
standard of living somewhat differ
ent from what they are accustomed
to at home. Mary Hall in her book,
"a Woman's Trek From the Cape
to Cairo" throws strong light
upon the condition Of market and
kitchen in British Central Africa:
When the native butcher pro-
poses to kill an OK, notice to that
effect is sent round to the white
people on the previous day. Once
they were apprised of the fact by
the following startling announce
ment: "a bule will be murdered to-
morrow morning at a. m"
This cold blooded crime, so care
fully premeditated, even to the
exact hour, was, however, not COM
mitted, as the next morning sec
ond notice was issued as follows:
"The bule ran away this morning,
so was not murdered" But this was
an exceptional case.
l heard one story which is SO
characteristic of the native that |
repeat it. The man who related it
told me that the incident occurred
when he was on a journey and was
suffering from bad attack of fever.
One evening he fancied he would
like some eggs and told his boy to
get two and boil them lightly.
After time they were brought
to him as hard as bullets. He told
the boy he must get some more and
boil them less; but, alas, these we're
brought to him in the same condi-
ton, and the poor fellow wished he
had never ordered them at all.
Being unwilling to give in, he
made another attempt and told his
boy, "Come to me when the water
boils.'' The boy did SO.
"Now," said his master, "put the
eggs in, and when you have counted
fifty take them out"
The native method of reckoning
is to count up to ten and then begin
again, arriving at the total by the
number of the tens counted. The
sick man heard the boy start fair
and get as far as four tens, when
second boy interfered and question
ed whether it were the third or
fourth ten.
This started a discussion, and as
they could not agree it was decided
to begin all over again. Mean
while the eggs were still boiling and
getting harder and harder This
was about the last straw, and, i'll as
the man felt, he was compelled to
get out of bed and put a summary
end to the cooking operations.
How He Made 1t Out.
Mrs. Jones and Johnny had only
a few minutes ago boarded the train
when the conductor called for
tickets" Mrs. Jones Immediately
| produced hers.
"How old is your boy, madam ?"
Quick as flash Johnny was down
between the seats on his head, and
the mother replied, 'Six years DID,"
As this procedure was not under
stood and as Johnny looked too
large for six years, the conductor
said, 81 did not understand you,
madam" Johnny grinned and spoke
out proudly, Don't you know that
nine turned upside down is six Pr
Philadelphia Ledger.
Care Of Books.
Books should never be tightly
packed on a shelf, for it causes the
backs in many cases to crack and
come Off When opening a new
book for the first time bend back
the covers only at first. Then let
the pages run through your fingers.
This will prevent any injury to the
new and sometimes stiff binding.
Except for very precious volumes
glass cases should not be used. The
stuffy air and lack of ventilation in
the glass covered bookcase causes
the growth of germs, insects and
mold.
A Whistler Story.
It was Whistler's custom when