“THE MONGREL IN GOGGLES.”

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 48, 20 July 1908, Page 8

“THE MONGREL IN GOGGLES.”

+ A MOHAMMEDAN STORY,

The conductor, or, as he w r ould like to be dignified, the purser of the little Spanish steamer with the Arabic name in which I crossed from

"The Gib” to Tangier, necessarily a linguist, was a long thin creature, stove at the knees, and sunk at the chest (were I writing for an American paper I should say—stomach). He was of some outcast breed, a Mohammedan t but surely not a Moor. Pock-marked and disfigured with

several scars, his face would have been repulsive were it not grotesque. None of his features seemed to fit. His lips were negro, his Arabian his ears like those of an elephant, his eyes—l could uot see, for they were hinden behind huge goggles, black enough to pale his yellow face. Nor

was this creature dressed in the costume of any particular race. In place of the flowing Moorish "jeleba” he wore a white duck coat with

many pqckets. Stockings covered his calves, leaving only his knees

visible below full bloomers of dark green calico. On his feet were boots instead of slippers.

Of course this man was noisy ; no such mongrel could be quiet. He argued with the Arabs and fussed at the Spaniards, speaking to each in their own language. With the German, though talkative, he was courteous, hoping, in vain no doubt, to obtain a tip. To me, alas ! he had much to say. On spying me he came across the ship at a jump, grabbed my hand and shook it warmly. He was past master at the art of identification. Though all my clothes, including my hat and shoes, had come from England—and I had not spoken a word—he said at once, "You 'Merican man,” adding, "No not many 'Merican come Tangier now ; 'fraid Jehad”—religious war. "Ah, you speak English,” I said. • "Yes, me speak Englis very well ; been 'Merica long time —Chicago, New ’leans, San’Frisco, Balt’more, N’York” (he pronounced the last like a native). "Me been Barnum’s Circus.’ "Were you the menagerie ?” I could not resist asking.

The fellow was insulted. “No,” he replied indignantly, "me was freak.” Later, when I had made my peace with him by means of a sixpence, I asked him to let me take his picture. Flattered at this, he put himself to the trouble of donning a clean coat ; but in order that no other Mohammedans should see and vilify him, ho would consent to pose only on the after-deck, among the cabin passengers.—Frederick Moore, in the “Westminister Gazette.”