The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-12-06

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~ EFY1NG Kipling, the East and
West meet at Tunis. the cap
ital Of Tunisia, on the coast
of Northern Africa, but in ac-
cordance with age-old tradition the
twain do not assimilate. observes a
writer In the Kansas City Times.
Tunis is a city Of captivating con-
trasts. because within the one there
are really two distinct cities. A great
Oriental gateway called the "Porte de
France" separates the purely French
town from older Tunis-the new from
the native.
An excellent example of French rule
Is typified by the two Tunises. The
utmost order prevails everywhere.
There are apaches and other bold
types Of criminals in Paris. but nom
In Tunls. The military is keen, alert
and efficient. The civic administra-
ton is maintained on a high stand
ard.
France holds that country under a
benevolent ~protectorate. However,
Tunis still has its hey, growing only in
name, but still keeping up the panoply
Of rule under the direct super
vision Of the French government. The
hey has his court. his guards and at
tendants. he presents himself open
ly to the people from the window
above his dwelling every day. and all
who wish to do so have the right to
petition him for redress Of wrongs.
AS he has all the enjoyments and none
Of the responsibilities of his high Of
fee, he cannot be said to have a sor-
rowful lot in life .
City Of Winding Byways.
Passing through the gateway into
the older city, the broad ~boulevards,
the cafes and the joie de vivre have
disappeared. Here are the narrow,
winding lanes which have served as
streets for 5000 years. They are lined
with native houses, fiat rooted and
creamy white in color, %thronged with
natives-Berbers, Arabs, Moors, East
ern Jews, and wild black tribesmen
from the desert. The native city al
ways Is intensely alive, as bustling and
full of life as its high-strung French
neighbor outside the gate. The motley
display of colors and costumes, the
creamy burnouses, scarfs of rich bro
cades, the full white trousers of the
women, the red fezzes and v%ariegated
turbans. the flowing robes Of priests,
oil onvahtra 70 poalyo n hri1ltont ond
fascinating picture.
About the native coffee house
swarthy faced men are sitting or
squatting. slipping tiny cups Of the
steaming Turkish beverage, each por-
ton freshly made for the u
The narrow streets are filed with hui
midity, the peddlers with their we'll
laden donkeys having the right Of
way.p
To the tourist the most attractive
part of old Tunis is the bazaar dis
trict. These souks. or bazaars, are
almost as picturesque and diversified
as those Of Cairo or Constantinople.
The lanes here are rooted over, and
the light filters down upon the square
cubicles. each stocked with goods and
guarded by It's proprietor, sitting
cross legged at the entrance.
A Street for Each Line.
In the SIOUX district there Is a sep
arate street for the dealers In the va
rious lines. Here are the streets of
the perfumers, Of the saddlers and
slipper makers, Of the jewellers. of the
cloth merchants, and SO on. One may
pause and examine and buy; but the
wise tourist does not buy without chat
fering, else the seller would feel de-
frauded of much Of the enjoyment of
the transaction. If he becomes really
interested In you, or If you have made
a good purchase, the merchant will in
vite you to partake Of coffee and Turk
ish swcetmeats with him.
Many of the bazaar shops are fac
tories as well, where the specialists
sit in full view weaving baskets, fash
ioning red and yellow slippers or max
ing bizarre ornaments and tiny cups
and pitchers of hammered brass. All
Of the merchants are good natured and
not importunate. They long ago learn
ed that the Christian dog has a long
purse, and they greet him because of
the purse and despite the Christianity.
Everywhere in Tunisia one sees evil
dences of prosperity. The people are
happy and contented, which speaks vol