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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 1922)
Chief of the Bapotos. Climbing Parasite in the Congo. (Prepared by the National Geographic So ciety, Washington, D. C.) The natives of the Interior of Africa are very different from those of the coast regions who have absorbed the worst that civilization has to offer, yet many a traveler, touching ouly the fringe of the Dark Continent, builds his ideas of Its people on those corrupted by alcohol, European mor als, and the passion for gain either by fair means or foul. In the Bel gian Congo, for example, where are to be met typical negroes of the trop ics, one finds people who are frankly savages, to be sure, with customs dis gusting to the westerner but who possess good traits for all that. If the tribes are approached properly hardly one will be found which Is not naturally good-tempered, and In most Instances hospitable and trustful. , Stanleyville, the chief stution In north-central Congo, was a few years ago a strange mixture of au Arab, European and negro town. Whateve? harm the Arabs may have done to the natives, and there Is no doubt that In their slave-raiding expeditions they have slaughtered them by the thou sands, they certainly have taught them many a good thing. It was the Arabs who introduced rice Madagascar po tatoes, beans and many useful plants. They have taught the natives clean liness and established schools In many centers. The town is much used as an out fitting point for expeditions but at times It is disappointingly short of supplies. In making trips up the Congo river from Stanleyville one must cross the river below the falls and have his luggage carted to a point od smooth water above the cataracts. Queer Bambala Customs. Among the (cople of Congo few possess stranger customs or present more curious contrasts than the Iium balu tribe, who live in numerous vil lages on the banks of the Kwtlu Jumba river In the southwestern part or the country. Each village is under its own chief, who holds the position by virtue of his wealth and Is suc ceeded at his death by the next richest man of the tribe. His principal func tion is to act as money-lender to his . subjects. No tribute Is paid to the chief, but he has a right to the ribs of every human being killed for food and to the hind legs of each animal killed during the great hunts. If a chief Is young enough, he acts as leader In war; otherwise one of his sons takes his place. Intermediate between the chief and the ordinary freeman Is an hereditary class called murl, who may not eat human flesh nor yet the meat of fowls. They are distinguished by an Iron bracelet and a special headcovering of cloth, which may not be removed by any one under penalty of death, even If the offender did not Intend to touch It The bracelet of a murl passes at death to the nephew (sister's son), who succeeds to the dignity, and the heir must steal the skull of his uncle. The corpse Is buried for some two Sooths, then the skull Is exhumed, painted red, and placed In the house Its owner used to occupy. The nephew must gain possession of It at night without being observed, and, after hiding It for a few days In the bush, take It home to his hut. If a murl Is killed In war, his brace let Is sent home, but the skull has to be stolen as before from the hostile village. The chief privilege of a member of this class is the right to a portion of each animal killed In hunt> iBC Ordeal by Poison. In disputes, where two people of the same village are concerned, a poison ordeal Is employed as Judge. Whether a man Is accused of wltch r parricide or of some minor of fense. he declares himself willing to' take poison to prove his Innocence. The |K»i.son, which is derived from the bark of a native tree. Is usually ground fine and mixed to a thick paste, from which are made five small loaves and these are administered one ; after the other to the defendant. Itur- i lng the next fifteen minutes. If it Is a case of witchcraft, the bystanders call on Molokl (the evil principle) ; to come out. The poison usually acts very quick ly; It may kill the accused or cause purging or vomiting. The last-named effect alone is regarded us a proof of Innocence. In the second case the prisoner is compelled to dig a hole. He is then given a fowl to eat and enough palm-wine to make him quite Intoxicated. After this he is laid ill the hole, or possibly goes and lays him self down, and Is then burled alive. In order to prevent Molokl escaping with his last breath. A large fire is kept alight on tile grave for two days, and then the body Is exhumed and eaten. An Innocent man Is carried around the village, decorated with beads, and ; his accuser pays a pig us compensa tion for the false charge. Decorated With Scan. In color the Bambala are very dark brown, the hair Is absolutely black, and the eye a greenish black with a yellow cornea. The face Is not of the ordinary negro type, but much more refined; thick lips, for example, are quite exceptional, and only a small proportion have flat noses. Tattooing Is not common, but both men and women “decorate” them selves with ornamentul scars. They rise above the surface of the skin sometimes more than an Inch. The ordinary food consists of manioc flour made Into a paste with wuter and boiled. The leaves of the plant ! are also eaten prepared -with palm j oil and pepper. Animal food Is not limited to goats, pigs, and other do mestic small fry, for, frogs excepted, everything helps to make a stew, from ants and grasshoppers up to man. Human flesh Is, of course, a special delicacy, and Its use Is forbidden to women, though they do not disdain to Indulge secretly. Other tlthlts are a thick white worm found In palm trees, locusts, rats, and blood boiled with cassava flour. Human flesh Is not the only food forbidden to women; they may not eat goat’s flesh, hawks, vultures, small birds, snakes, animals hunted with weapons, crows, or par rots. To the rule against flesh killed with weapons there are two excep tions—the antelope and a small rat. Itlch people, who Indulge In luxuries, eat kola nuts in great numbers. A kind of native pepper Is known, and oil Is obtained from the palm-nut. But the chief condiment Is salt, which Is made of the ashes of water plants. There Is, however, a strong preference for the Imported salt, which is In crystalline form as a rule, the crys tals being perforated and strung on a string, which Is dipped Into the food-pot. On a journey salt Is eaten as a stimulant and salt water la also drunk. As regards animal food. If there la abundance It Is simply boiled and eat en with the fingers. It must be re membered that meat for the Bambala Is simply a bonbon, much as choco lates are for us. Once when a white traveler filled an elephant, which the natives were at liberty to consume, blood, skin, and bones, If they pleased, after they had eaten as much as they wanted they went to him and asked for their dtnner. Cannibalism la an everyday occur rence, and, according to the natives themselves, who display no reticence except In the presence of state officials. It Is based on s sincere liking for human flesh. CHURCH FOR YOIJNG PERSONS Indianapolis Minister Successful In Operation of Branch for the Boys and Girls. A Junior church, the membership of which is limited to persons between six and sixteen years old, with the preacher the only adult present, is be ing successfully operated in Indianap olis. The plan was inaugurated by Itev. N. S. Slcliterman of Grace Presby terian church, that city. According to Doctor Sleliterrnan. there are 00 children ranging in age from «x to sixteen years who are members of the junior organization. They have their own room for services, which are of 30 minutes’ duration, and have-their own officers. The plan was put Into operation In January and Doc tor Stehterman is so pleased with the results that he expects soon to double the membership. Doctor Slchterman said the Idea of forming a junior church developed from liis experience in church while a boy. “My people came from Holland and settled in a neighborhood of Holland ers In a small Michigan town.” he said. “The church I attended as a hoy also used the Dutch language and the ser mons sometimes lasted two hours or more. I well remember how tired and restless 1 would get ns the time drugged on, for the sermon, while ap pealing to adults, was not such as would appeal to the child. "It was tills experience which gave birth to the junior church idea, and last January I started the organiza tion.” CAN GROW NEW TUSK IN YEAR Discovery Is Made That the Walrus May Prolong World’s Vanishing Supply of Ivory. A remarkable discovery at the Real rookeries on I’rlbllof islands may pro long the world’s vanishing Ivory sup ply. Last summer an obnoxious bull walrus was mauled by government seal keepers, and In the fight one of Its long tusks was broken off. This spring the same recalcitrant mammal returned, and to the surprise of both natives and attendants the tusk had grown out five Inches, the end still showing the ragged edge of the break. It Is now believed that an annual crop of this excellent Ivory can be harvested by cutting off one-half of one tusk ench year from the bull walrus. The one left Intact Is used by the mammal In digging clams and sea food. In a year the stub would have grown out enough to serve as a pickax, so the other tusk could he sacrificed for the fancies of man. Walrus ivory Is In great demand In China and Japan, wliere It Is utilized for small carvings Jg Graphite and 8iberla. Extensive deposits of graphite exist In northwestern Siberia, on the left bank of the River Kurelka, near the Junction with the River Yenisei, 90 miles from the mouth of the latter river. The graphite area forms a hori zontal plateau, the elevation of which varies from 20 to 50 feet above the normal level of the River Kurelka. The plateau contains two layers of graph ite. which Is of a solid steel-gray color, soft and of an excellent Quality for the manufacture of pencils. It Is be lieved that in the future these graph ites will supply Russian demands and that large quantities will be available for export. The chief sources of graphite have been Ceylon, Bohemia, Germany, France and the United States. The annual world production has been approximately 120,01)0 short tons. The Modern Girl. It the modern girl Is freer than her predecessor, she Is, like her brother, more self-possessed. Her range of experience and of Information le wider and her desire to know greater. She has seen more of the world and heard more of It, If not directly, then by the vicarious efforts of scores of agencies. She has no doubt broken through many Irrational taboos, but she Is trying bard to replace them with standards more suitable to the complexities of life In this generation. And If It Is put to a malt vote wheth er she Is to return to the dress, man ners, temperament and mental out look of her eighteenth or even nine teenth century ancestor, there will only be an Insignificant minority to vote ugainst her as she Is.—Balti more American. Father Love ve. Mother’s. Among some fishes the male as sumes all the care and anxiety of parenthood. And this Is true of at least one or two families of birds. The male ostrich hatches the eggs and looks after the little ones. The greatest enemy of the eggs and young of the stickleback fish Is the mother herself. She not only has no affec tion for them whatever, hut would eat every one of them If she weren’t prevented from doing so by the fa ther. In very few species of fish do the females care anything for either the eggs or the young. Among fishes, therefore, the In stinct to save the young Is not tbs wonderful mother Instinct found In the human or other higher species, but the father Instinct.—Detroit News. Brought Home to Him. “What is Daubson working on now?" “A picture entitled, ‘The Great American Desert.’ ” “What gave him that Inspirations “His cellar was robbed."—Birming ham Age Herald. | HAPPINESS § By MILDRED WHITE Copyright, lv*2, Western Newspaper Union. Theodosia came to sit on ttie arm 0< her husband's ciiuir. Ue was u new husband and he smiled indulgently. “Where today, pretty one?” he asked. “I am not quite sure.” siie unsweeed doubtfully; “my old adventurous spirit calls, and one does not know where that may lead. Perhaps It Is just that I am so happy, that I feel the desire to pass some of my happiness on.” The husband tenderly regarded the euger face. Dosie stooped to kiss him. “Good bye, dear Chum,” she said. As she reached the business section of the city, the young disciple of happi ness decided to comfort herself with a cooling gluss of soda. And the soda glass touching Dosle's (lagers stickily, she went Into the wash room of the department store basement to clean them. It was when she reached for a paper towel that she realized the place wus devoted to employees only. “Never mind,” remarked a pretty girl, powdering her face at the giuss, “you are welcome.” She continued her conversation with a companion, engaged In the same renovating pur pose. "Yes," she went on, "It’s a swell stone, an’ lie glv’lt to me. an’ we’re going to the show tonight, an’ he has a swell car, an—” “Oh, come out of It, Rosie,” the friend pleusuntly remarked. I.euving the room, the two glanced hack to where a silent figure sat aloof. “The millionaire lady lias her usual grouch on," Rosie said mockingly. Abruptly the durk-lmired girl arose, coming to bathe her hot forehead In the basin next to Where Dosie stood. “It's a very warm day." Dosie said Invitingly; her overture was silently recel veil. "And—you are tired,” she added Id Impulsive sympathy. “I have my work to do," the girl an awered evenly, "like the others.” “But you look different, some way,” Dosie was thinking aloud. “More—un used to It.” The girl straightened her hair and smiled. It wus u weary smile. “I am—different, I am afraid—they leave me quite alone." “Please," said Dosie, “may I not see you again? Could you take lunch with me today—some place?” The girl’s dark eyes finished tlielr study. •Thunk you," she ngreen; "ir you will allow me to pm for that lunch eon. I am a wage earner, you know— and not in want.” “I understand," Dosle said. “At the Brown Tea Room, then, at 12?” The name, "Millionaire Lady," oc curred to her when the girl from Bromley’s quietly slipped Into the Beat reserved at the Brown Tea Room. Dosle placed her calling card upon the table; the girl smiled. ‘"Thank you," she said, “your name Is known to me, through pntronnge. I work In Bromley's under an assumed name. I came here when my father died. Before thut I had a happy home of my own. That Is why all this Is strange to me.” Dosle leaned forward, earnestly she spoke tier own reason for wishing to make another happy, “And so,” Constance Wllmot ended her story, “I could have borne bravely unv sorrow save that of disgrace. But to think that my father, the trusted adviser of many, had ruined by false Investments those who trusted him— that I suffered In like manner mattered least. The man who loved me was most deceived. I could, not face him; I came away, finding employment un der an assumed name. I think John Calver will not learn of me here, and In time will love some one worthy. My little home town of Wllmot was named for our family long ago." Dosle arose, the girl holding her hand between her own. “You will come to visit me soon, as you promise, Constance," she re minded. “Have you any happiness left to be stow upon your husband?” that young man asked at evening. Dosle sat on the arm of his chair. “We must drive to Wllmot village this evening." she told him. "I want to see a Mr. John Calver, who is to be Invited to our bouse for un eve ning, while Constance Wllmot of Bromley's Is with us at> our guect. It’S funny,” added Dosle, "how happiness Is bound to spread Sesk Gold and Diamonds. An expedition has sailed from Liver pool for the Aiuguaylun river and some of its principal tributaries In Central Brazil In quest of gold and diamonds. The expedition's hope rests upon experiences In those parts of a mining engineer. This engineer has stated that the Araguaylan gravels would yield payable gold. He was hopeful they would discover copper In commercial quantities. He found diamonds In tributaries of the Ara guaya, and also discovered payabls gold in the gravel of the river. The country Is peopled with tribes of Red Indians, whom the engineer speaks of as being friendly. He also hopes to locate a tribe reported to wear round their necks strings of gold in rough i nuggets. The party will leave the | liner at Para and proceed by steam launch which they have with them up I to Tocantins river, of which the Araguaya Is an off-shoot. Few Autos In China. China, with four times the popula tion of the United States, has only 8,000 motor vehicles. CALL ON U. S. FOR SUPPLIES Various Countries Are Asking Unola Sam to Provide All Sorts of Merchandise. Have you any chrysoprnse or varislctls to sell? If so, write the Department of Commerce, foreign trade division. Dr. Julius Klein, the director, has requests for ’em on his desk from Australia. If you don’t know what they are, they are preelot/S stones. Our South American neighbors In Brazil are more prosaic In their wants. They are asking for sanitary drinking fountains. Canada wants moving picture ma chines and wireless telephone sets. With the Volstead act putting a crimp In the business over here, any body with a left-oser stock 01 bungs and bung pegs can find a ready mar ket for them In England. The British also want garbage cans. Ditto above. The French are ask ing for oak casks. Ditto again. Chile asks for corks. The prohibition bureau, with an eye to business, might till the order from Mexico for nloohol distilling plants by shipping down some of the wildcat stills seized over the country. Evidently all the Italian boot blacks are not over here. There’s a request from Italy for shoe polish. Musical Instruments are In demand tn Palestine and Spain. The canny Scots waat calculating machines. Poor old Siberia would like a square meal of dried fruits and vegetables and prepared milk. RACED LIKE THE GREYHOUND Botafogo, Most Famous Horse of Argentina, Wae Known to Turf Followers Throughout World. The most famous race horse that the fine studs of Argentina ever bred wrr probably Botafogo, for he was renowned among turf followers the world over. He died near Mar del Plata a short time ago. being only eight years old. Not particularly fortunate In Ids parentage, as great racers usually are, he nevertheless be came a phenomenon of the track. At two years he sold for $25,000 at auc tion. although he was never good looking. When he raced the horse stretched himself out like n greyhound. He msde hls debut In 1917, and all the classics fell before hls amazing speed. One day when he was not In form and lost to Gray Fox the event was regarded In Argentina as quite a national catastrophe. In a subse quent “revenge race" he defeated hls conqueror with perfect ease before the greatest 'crowd that ever assem bled at the Palermo tracks. Actor Who Could Not Wrlta. The true story of "Joe Miller's Joka Book." is an Interesting bit of literary history. Truth Is that Joe Miller never read a Joke In hls life, and therefore could not huve complied a book of Jokes. For Joe Miller could not read. He wns an Ignornnt actor, who achieved great success In 1714 at the Drury Lane theater In London. And the only way that Joe Miller could memorize the lines of his parts was to have them read and reread to him until he was able to repeat them, the duty of thus drumming dialogue and cues Into the comedian's mind being entrusted to a wife, whom he bad mar ried for the purpose. OIT the stage or on, Miller was not a wit or humorist. But a year after hls death a pamphlet appeared In which 247 jests were given, of which only three wore ascribed to Joe Miller. I They had been compiled by a man with the appropriate name of Mottely. By the middle of the Nineteenth rrn tury the number of Jokes had been Increased by successive compilers to 1,540. Power In Silence. The proper value of the power of silence Is probably best expressed In 1 the scriptural reference to the varl : ous convulsions of nature, the wind and the earthquake, followed by the still, small voice. Coming down to a more recent |>eriod and a less re nowned authority, we are reminded of the man who advised his son to keep his mouth shut so that people would not know he was a fool. This advice Is still good for the great ma jority. Astronomy Is said to be one of the best means of teaching the In dividual his relative unimportance In the universe of matter, but to be left alone, far from any human habita tion, in a vast silence will probably accomplish the same. Employer Paid for Nut. A curious point In workmen’s com pensation has been settled by the Eng lish Court of Appeal. A collier, who did not drink or smoke, was In the hMblt of carrying a nut in his mouth, 1 apparently for much the same reason ’ that some people ciyry chewing gum. One day while at work he slipped and ! fell; nnd the nut was Jerked down his ; windpipe suffocating him. The court , held that the accident was “In the i course of his employment,” and en titled hie widow to recover. Poor Mule! "That,” said the city man, “Is what I call downright brutality. That man ooght to he reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Anlmalai “Why? What's he doing?" “What’s lie doing? Can't you see how fast that mule has to walk to keep out of his way when he’s pushing tha plow ?”—Richmond Tluies-Dlspatch. To Reach Telephone Atlaatic 1322 Western University THE GREAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION 1 OF THE MID-WEST The location is ideal, near Kansas Citv. The buildings are modern brick structures, steam-heated and electric- i lighted. The following courses are offered: s ACADEMIC, NORMAL FULL FOUR YEARS COLLEGIATE, With Degree COMMERCIAL— (With practical experience in student’s bank) MUSICAL — (Piano, Voice, Band, Orchestra, Violin) COOKING, SEWING, MILLINERY, CARPENTRY, TAIL ORING, AGRICULTURE, STEAM-LAUNDERING, AUTO-MECHANICS, BLACKSMITHING, PRINT ING, STEAM and ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, and RADIO (Teaching students how to build their | own sets, including crystal, vacuum tube and amplify- ; ing transformers, by doing the actual work.) MILITARY TRAINING (Junior R. O. T. C.) By an Army Officer. MECHANICAL DRAWING, CHINA PAINTING, LIVE | STOCK and POULTRY RAISING on an Extensive j Scale (Incubation)—With more than 4,000 blooded 1 fowls in the runs and hatchery. jj FEDERAL VOCATIONAL TWO YEARS’ COURSES All departments are excellently equipped. NO STU DENTS RECEIVED BELOW FIRST YEAR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE. School Opens September 4, 1922.—For Catalogue or further Information, Write— F. JESSE PECK, President KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 1 Reid—Duffy Pharmacy jj \ 24th and Lake Sts. I Free lelivery Webster 0S09 :: ADVERTISE in THE MONITOR i WATERS BARNHART PRINTING CO. Wanted MEN WOMEN CHILDREN LODGES SUNDAY SCHOOLS WOMEN’S SOCIETIES -TO SELL Dentlo BIGGEST AND BEST TOOTH PASTE 25c -Half What You Make 817 North Sixteenth Street CALL ATLANTIC 7074 . ■-=- T .■ - —-—■ ■ --.-y >*■ ... * * Reoorda Kxohangad, 1S canto. La* •at Mamie Smith reoorda alwajg on hand. SHLAKS PHONOGRAPH CO. 1404 Dodge SL EMERSON’S LAUNDRY The I .sundry That Suits All 1M1 No. 24th St. Web. 0826 r—.. 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