Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1945-04-06

istered everywhere, delighted at the
chance to get big mail.
Suddenly I heard the most weird,
titillating noise I had ever encoun-
tered in my life and saw something
that made my eyes pop-a process
sion of camels with Arabs perched
on them, each Arab wearing a red
fez. On the swaying and lurching
camels were the musicians who were
producing the exciting, unbelievable
sounds. I fell in behind, along with
many others. The procession turned
into a section of the Midway called
1.-THE Streets of Cairo" Both sides
were lined with bazaars selling ORR
entail goods, and with fortune tellers
and there were signs over doors
advertising shows put on by whirling
dervishes. I stood entranced, but
afraid that, some way or other, this
was going to cost me money. For I
kept asking, "How can they let a
person see such wonderful sights
free?"
Then something even more it'll
lating took place before my aston
ished eyes. On a platform in front
OF one of the buildings there was a
burst of oriental music, and, as I
edged up, saw two dark-skinned
men sitting on their launches, their
knees as high as their shoulders,
playing strange musical instruments.
Over the building was banner with
a most voluptuous dancing girl
painted on it, and the words, ''Lit-
tie Egypt" In moment the cur
tains parted and a girl in a veil
swayed out, and my eyes jumped
again. Then she began to undulate
in time to the music, her hips NOV
ing rhythmically from side to side
and ending in little jerk. AS if
that wasn't enough, she suddenly
began to shake and CULVER all over,
thousand muscles twitching and
pulsating and her hips going faster
and faster. My lips grew dry; it
seemed to me could hardly breathe.
A man shouted through a mega
phone, "You see on the platform be-
fore you the famous Little Egypt
who danced for millions at the
Worlds Fair in Chicago" As he
talked he drew us in closer, me very
willing to be drawn. Then he
dropped his voice and in confiden-
tial tone began telling about the in
triguing wonders to be seen within.
Behind those curtains is a stage,
and when Little Egypt comes out on
that stage to entertain you with
her captivating dances, all the
clothes the little lady will have on,
can be sent anywhere in the United
States for two-cent postage
stamp Little Egypt then gave a
few more wiggles and went inside,
whereupon the ticket seller began
to shout at the top of his voice.
stood hesitating, torn between right
and wrong, trying to gaze past the
curtains into the alluring, seductive
beyond. But it would cost a quar-
ter. Could 1 afford it? l decided I
could. I entered, my heart already
humping. Men were seated on fold
ing chairs, but on the sides some
men were standing, all looking at
the bizarre curtains. After a few
minutes the curtains were drawn re-
vealing what it seemed to me true
to-life oriental harem. The music
began again, and two or three girls
came out, swaying from side to side
and making their hands 60 like
snakes. Never had I dreamed such
a thing existed in the world. 1 felt
guilty and little ashamed, but also
tremendously stimulated and
aroused.
At last the curtain fell and the
show was over. But not quite, for
a man stepped out and told us we
hadn't seen anything yet, and that
there was going to be another show
which would make the one we had
seen seem as tame, he said, as
washing dishes. He described Just
what was to be seen, my mouth get
ting drier and drier. But this show
would cost fifteen cents. Could af-
ford it? l decided I could.
Again the curtains parted, and
again Little Egypt came swaying
out. But this show wasn't nearly
as exciting as the first. The curtains
dropped, with little or no ceremo-
ny, and the performance was over.
A terrifying thought laid hold of
me: what if my mother should be
passing and should see me?
Later, as I was going past the
Montgomery Ward Building, a man
with a megaphone called out,
Come in, come in, and see what it
isl"
paused and studied the situation.
I could see it wasn't going to be
another Little Egypt, for no one was
playing oriental music and there
we're no fezzes. But people were 60
ing in, and, seemingly, not paying.
However, to be safe, I edged up
and said, "How much is the price?"
The man put the megaphone to
his lips and beloved as if was half
a-mile away, "It's free, free as the
air around you"