Our Show: A Humorous Account of the International Exposition in Honor of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, from Inception to Completion, Including Description of Buildings, Biographies of Managers, Receptions of Foreign Dignitaries, Opening Ceremonies, Poem, Oration, Amusing Survey of All Departments, Incidents, Etc., Etc.Cohen, David Solis
History
Our Show: A Humorous Account of the International Exposition in Honor of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, from Inception to Completion, Including Description of Buildings, Biographies of Managers, Receptions of Foreign Dignitaries, Opening Ceremonies, Poem, Oration, Amusing Survey of All Departments, Incidents, Etc., Etc.
where the fireworks are usually exhibited. The gentleman in charge of
the model cemetery, already mentioned in these annals, was the only
Caucasian informed of her intention, and he cheerfully colored his face,
donned the flowing robes of a Brahmin, and accepted the appointment of
Master of Ceremonies.
Imagine our astonishment at coming upon this scene. The fire was
crackling merrily away, the corpse was frizzling a beautiful brown, and
the assembled participants were singing Hindoo hymns. The Master of
Ceremonies was standing at the head of the flames with the widow in his
arms. He was waiting till her husband should be nearly gone before he
chucked her on, in order to keep up the fun as long as possible.
“Stop! hold!!” we shouted, as soon as we could control enough breath to
utter the sounds; “stop! We cannot allow any such proceedings--drop that
woman.”
[Illustration]
The Master of Ceremonies turned upon us fiercely--
[“WHOSE FUNERAL IS THIS?”]
“Whose funeral is this?” he asked ironically, and there was a wicked
gleam in his eye which plainly indicated that he wasn’t going to be
defrauded of his job without a struggle. “Go on with the music,” he
added, turning to the Hindoos, who had ceased singing at the
interruption, and he raised the widow in his arms ready for the throw.
Our bosoms swelled; we were about to annihilate him, when chance
intervened to save his life. Some rumor of the contemplated ceremony had
reached the ears of the Park Commissioners. Naturally indignant that any
such thing should take place in the Park, without their permission being
first asked and obtained, they now came rushing upon the ground with
their little fire engine, closely followed by the Insurance Patrol. In
less time than it takes to record it, the widow was wrapped up in oil
skin blankets, the natives were howling other than hymn tunes, and the
fire and Master of Ceremonies were both put out by well-directed streams
of water. The latter threatened vengeance. He was the most disappointed
man we have ever seen.
Whether war with India will be the result of this interference in a
national and religious custom, the future alone can tell. We proceeded
upon our way, and entering the Centennial precincts, the world within
the palings, we passed a week in inspecting the
FOREIGN DEPARTMENTS.
The foreign display within the Main Building was grand, that outside
was grander still. Had our minds been one whit less strong, we should
have been bewildered by the conglomeration.
Turkish kiosks, Chinese pagodas, Japanese pavilions, Arabian tents,
Persian bazaars, Egyptian temples, Mohammedan mosques, Gypsy
encampments, and American drinks, enough to confuse any one. Then
monuments, booths, fountains, and cigar stands innumerable. We will give
one day as an example of our travels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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