South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-15
THE DIAMOND OF KALI

Gen Marcellu- b. Ludlow lives IN
one OF those decaying but venerated
old red-brick mansions in the West
1Wentiea. The general is a member
an old New York family that docs
advertise. He So a globe trotter
os birth. a gentleman by predilec-
non millionaire by the mercy ~
heaven. and a conn6isseur OF pre-
Slous stones by occupation.
me reporter was admitted prompt
~ when he made himself known at
'ne generals residence at about $50
on the evening that ne received the
1HNignment- In the magnificent II
brary he was greeted by the dig
unguished traveller and connoisseur.
= tali. erect gentleman IN tho early
hrties. with a nearly white mustache.
ana bearing so soldierly that one
perceived in him scarcely a trace OF
the national guardsman His wea-
ther-oeaten countenance 1T up with
charming smile OF interest when
tho reporter made known his er-
rand.
An YOU have heard OF my latest
ma. l shall be glad 20 show you
~hat I conceive 20 be one OF the six
most valuable diamonds in exist
snce."
The general opened a small safe
~ corner or the library and
brought forth a plush covered box.
Opening this. he exposed TO the re-
porter's bewildered gaze a huge and
"a ~
. hailstone.
This stone" said the general. "is
eornethiug more than a nero jewel.
50 once formed the central eye Of
me three-eyed goddess Kali. who IS
pVorshipped by one Of the fiercest
and most fanatical tribes OF India. II
9ou will arrange yourself comfort
ably I will give you a brief history
bf IL for your paper"
Gen Ludlow brought forth a de-
eanter Of whisky and glasses from a
cabinet. and set a comfortable arm
chair for the lucky scribe
The Phansigars. or Thugs, OF
INDIA" began the general. are the
tnost dangerous and dreaded OF the
tribes OF north India. They are
extremists in religion. and worship
the hOrrid goddess Of Kali in the
form Of images. Their rites are in
teresting and bloody. The robbing
ind murder OF travellers are taught
rs worthy and obligatory deed by
their strange religious code. The
worship Of the three-eyed goddess
Kali is conducted so secretly that no
traveller has ever heretofore had the
honor OF witnessing the ceremonies.
That distinction was reserved for
PSnyself
While at Sakaranpur. between
Delhi and Khelat. I used to explore
the jungle in every direction I'm the
hope OF learning something new
about these mysterious Phansigars.
zone evening at twilight T was
making my way through a teakwood
forest. when I came upon a deep
circular depression in an open space,
IN the center of which was rude
Etone temple. 7 was sure that this
was one Of the temples Of the Thugs.
so I concealed myself in the under
growth 10 watch.
when the moon rose the depres-
sion in the clearing was suddenly
filled with hundreds of shadowy.
swiftly gliding forms. Then a door
opened in the temple. exposing a
brightly Illuminated image Of the
goddess Kali. before which white
robed priest began a barbarous In
cantation. while the tribe Of wor-
shippers Frustrated themselves upon
the earth.
"But what interested me most was
the central eve Of the huge wooden
idol 7 could see by its flashing bril-
li2ncy that il was an immense dia-