The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-12-20
The Running Filipino.
Mesmerisnl That Took
A Sergeant's Dilemma.
Bill Dolcneyis Gable.
BY HAL ARMSTRONG

A $ 4 MESMEffSr there was none
"A more competent in Uncle Sarn'n
forces In all the Philippines than was
Sergs. lean Haekins. now Of the So
attic fire department
: .Hucklns learned the rudimcnts Of
uncanuy art from friendly
I'ipino doctor. IL cost him st.So to
olke the course. but he got his
moneys worth OF amusement. many
times over. praeticing ON the lads OF
his company IN camp and trench.
As Huckins acquired skin his TIM
promptu entertainments beca IN q
more frequent and popular and drew
larger and more Interested crowds.
n was nothing to see some chap
whom Huckins had mesmcrized
climbing an imaginary tree under
fire OF the enemy. making ardent
proposals OF marriage TO the com
pany cat or taking a bath In an
epapty barrel
Always. when the performance
was concluded. Huckins had but to
snap his fingers loudly before his
oubject's face TO bring the subject
~cut Of it,
Il ehanced one biistering after
noon that Huckins and some OF hts
company mates were enjoying fur
1puEh and bano In nearby town. IL
vas well towards sundown when they
kft the leading cafe. largely because
their funds we're spent. and sumter
ID forth into the main thorofArs In
thigh spirits and In search OF fun.
y A Filipino curb merchant passed
r-1m by. crying his wares. tobacco.
eigarets. bananas and other com
unoditics which he carried IN basket
sung from his neck
III. boy, come hervs- called
Huc}<ins-
"a FEW QUICK PASSES
EUEfORE Ills EYES
~ the Filipino turned and ap-
preached them. grinning. the mes
lmerist chucked him under the chin.
kmade few quick passes before his
Widening eyes. and the vendor Of
Euxurics became an atornaton. a
nauxht.wit. completely al the mercy
Of SerEt- Huckins-
Bark ike a dog commanded
Huckins. and the Filipino barked-
Now iaugh--now cry--now sit
GOWN on that chair said the mes
herist. and the subject did as he WIS
"a. but there was no chair under
Tim and he sprawled on the ground.
Spllllng his fruit and tobaccos about
The street.
II was rare sport Huckins and his
cmpanlons were convulsed with
nerriment-
How many cenfirncs for the
bananas, For the cigarets7 The to
kacco-' Hnckins asked the PROSTATE
native.
The Filipino told him
on. boys" said the sergeant.
Iefs buy all he's got
But there isn't a cent IN the
whole outfit" someone reminded
him
mo Difference" said HuciSins.
plcking up a handful of pebbles
Here, boy. IL your money! he
added. counting out the pebbles into
The FTiipino's hand. as the latter
e1hanked him.
Fruit. cigarcts and tobacco were
! pccketed amid the uprosrious laugh.
eer OF throng OF spectators who had
eathered around.
~Ain't hardly right TO steal the
bcy's stuff like this" Huckina said
finally. "I'u wake him UP and well
give II back"
"Come out Of itr'
But the Filipino did not come.
He sat there on his launches.
counting his pebbles and grimaeing
foolishIy.
Come out. saidr' yelled Hurkins
again. cracking his fingers as before.
But stili the Filipino sat
Hucljns turned pale. Repeatedly
he tried in vain 10 awaken the dor
n1ant faculties Of his subject. but the
4 hucksfer's mind was totally blank.
TERRIFIED AMAZEMENT
uECCEEDs THE LAUGHTER
The crowd gathered closer. Laugh
Ger cDsed. Men and boys stood
) about in open-mouthed. half-terrifled
asnazernent. At the end Of a half
hour Huckins gave II up.
Hes a goner." he said. solemniy.
II can't bring him back. Whatm
/ do with him2"
''TeIf him he's all right, and start
him on his way" suggested a com.
rsde.
IAN right" said Huckins, shaking
his head sadly. Boy. get upr'
tn Filipino stood.
4 you're all right" said the mesmer.
tst. half heartedly. Turn around"
Obedlently the subject did so.
"sec that line OF trenches up on
That hln7"
There were no trenches, Gtnt the
Filipino nodded. W
sVery we'll" said Huckins. ''The
boys In those trenches are your
friends. Run to them quick, now,
before. rhe enemy gets your
!. Raising his arms high above his
hcad, and shouting as he ran. the
|FJlipino bolted.
|u.,An nd last ChrfBtmae." said Bin
Ijowney, reputable deputy sheriff.
who tells the story and vouches for