yw j wTr"
THE FTTTSBtTRG DISPATCH,- SUNDAY APBIL 24, 1892.
24
A GUESTOFSULTANS.
Mrs. Irencli-Sheldon Tells of
Jler Eeception in tlio
Dark Continent.
HOBOES THICK AND FAST.
As the Bebe-Bwana She Was Almost
Worshiped by the Blacks.
HER ESCAPE FROH A BIG PITHOX.
A Porter Eaten Alive fcj Hyenas Within
Hearing of Her Camp.
WOXDEKFOIi PHOSPHORESCENT LIGHTS
ICOEnESFOXDKKCB Or TUX DISFATC80
Ket Xokk, April 22. The impression
which those who meet Mrs. French-Sheldon
lor the first time receive is one of surprise,
and that is particularly trne when presenta
tion takes place in her private parlors,
where she is able to throw aside restraint
and dignity. If the impression were put
into spoken words people would say to her:
'"What, are you actually Mrs. Frenoh
Bheldon, the identical woman who organized
FB05I OKE OF MRS. SHELDON'S PnOTOOKAPHS.
an expedition and took it into Eastern
Africa, as far away from the coast as Chicago
is from Sew York?"
She is so slight of figure, so gentle and
unassuming in manner, so feminine in her
ways and so utterly without affectation that
it seems as though the story of her exploits
must have been really a fiction, just such a
romance as she has herself written when
she was known as a writer of novels and as
the translator of Flaubert's masterpiece,
"Salammbo."
Any interview with her which attempted
to set forth in consecutive detail the story
of her trip would be formal and would lose
the piquancy with which she speaks of in
cidents as they occur to her hap-hazard, so
to speak. During a chat with her the first
impressions arc of the woman. Her per
sonality asserts itself so speedily and her
enthusiasm is so impressively demonstrative
that those with whom she converses are
compelled to think first of her, afterward
of her achievement.
How She Impressed the Chiefs.
It is very natural therefore that the
question the writer put Mrs. Sheldon, after
formalities of greeting were over, was:
"Mrs. Sheldon, why did you do it?" She
nulled for a moment as though amused at
the question, seeming to think that the im
portance ol the work, if there was any, was
in what she had accomplished and not why
it bad occurred to her to attempt it But
she answered and then called to her
secretary and asked him to brine the
dress in which she appeared before
the Sultan and tbe chiefs of the tribes which
she visited. There was a rustling of
silk in an adjoining room, and a moment
later a vonng man came bearing in his arms
a superb garment The skirt was of vliite
corded silk, overlaid with silver lace. The
corsage was very heavr, being also elabor
ately trimmed and decorated with silver,
and"the cap or helmet wa, of itelf, a work
of brilliancy and art How Mrs. Sheldon
ever endured such a garment in a country
where the heat of the tropics alwavs prevails
was a mystery and she only explained it by
caving that she had to.
She must have been a gorgeous and im
pressive person as she appeared before the
chiefs and Sultans in this dress. Of course
it would be an impossible costume to wear
in any civilized country, although beautiful
to look at But it had precisely the effect
she intended of impressing the big men of
tbe tribe with her majesty and power. It
also inspired great curiosity and the people
approached it with a feeling something like
awe, and begged to touch it if they might be
permitted to do it, as though their sense of
wonder and admiration would be increased
were they allowed ever so gently to put
their finger upon it
The secretary carefully folded it up and
carried it away as though it was perhaps the
choicest relic, as in some respects it was the
most important of her expedition.
rhotos of Her BIrcIc Giants.
Littered about the parlor were may pho
tographs, and one representinc a "dozen
majestic specimens ol negro physical
strength caught my eye for an instant and
Mrs. Sheldon evidently seeing that I was
interested took up the photograph and said:
"These were some of my porters, and did
you ever see finer specimens of physical
manhood than they are. And the devotion
of these men alter they came to know me
and respect my authority was something
touching. I had a flag made, upon which
was the motto, 'Xoli tangere.' It was
absolutely necessary to impress these
people with the idea that I was not
to be touched, that they must not lav
n finger upon me. This was necssary
not only for my personal protection but also
to inspire them with the idea of superior
presence, sp to speak, for that would enable
me to maintain absolute command over
them by reason of both fear and respect
The meaning of tbe motto, Noli tangere, was
conveyed to them through interpreters when
we started upon the expedition, and there
was not a moment from the time we left the
coast till we returned when they did not
obey that command. I want to say that I
never was subjected even to the annoyance
of discourtesy, and that is something which
I have had to submit to since I have been
in "Sew York, ioronly the other night an
Insolent brute seized me by the arm as I
was passing from mv hotel tb my carriage."
I asked Mrs. Sheldon where she lound
these porters and she said that she was not
able to obtain them until she arrived at
Zanzibar. Theie she was received by the
Sultan and that paltry chief must have been
mightily impressed by her presence and her
pleading, for througn his aid she obtained
138 great strapping muscular Africans, and
with them she started upon her expedition.
Karrow Escape From a Python.
To illustrate the watchfulness of these
men Mrs. Sheldon went to her cabinet and
took from it a photograph of four Africans
and she said, "The watchfulness and mar
velous quickness of these men unquestion
ably prevented me one night from being
crushed to death by a python. I was asleep
in mv palanauin. ."Sot exactly sleeping but
drow'sy.for I do not suppose I slept soundly
for more than than two hours at a time dur
injj the entire expedition. I felt something
cold,slimv, all! horrible." Here Mrs. Shel
don shuddered and closed her eyes as though
the recollection of that experience gave her
an avriul sense of her nearness to a horrible
death.
"I realized that in some way a python
had got through the guard and got upon my
palanquin. I bad strength enough to give
a signal, the one which summoned my
guard to my assistance. In an instant the
men were there, and then I heard a horrible
sound of cutting and slashing and shouting
and chatterinc, as though they were them
selves in terror. In five minutes all was
quiet, and in that time these men had liter
ally cut that python into inch pieces.
Tnere is nothing they dread so much, noth
ingwhich they wish so completely to de
stroy" Of course, this anecdote suggested possible
experiences with other wild beasts "and ser
pents, and I asked Mrs. Sheldon if she had
any. She said she only saw three or four
poisonous reptiles, and was not afraid of
them. They had a slight adventure with
three lions and they saw some elephants,
but as she had not taken the expedition as
a mere hunting expedition and did not look
for wild beasts Aey seldom encountered
them. In the night time they used to hear
the cries of the beasts.
A-rorter Seronred by Hyena.
An expression ol sadness came to Mrs.
Sheldon's lace just then, and she said: "I
do not like to think about the beasts, for
we did have one horrible adventure. One
of mv most faithful body servants, a
snlendid fellow, wandered from the camp
one night and very foolishly. The first we
knew that he was away was when we heard
the most appalling shrieks, and then we
knew that the poor iellow had lallen a prey
to the hyenas or jackals. His shrieks ring
in my ears now. They gradually grew
fainter and fainter, although the other men
were hurrying with torches lighted to his
rescue. All that they found of him was a
few mangled remains. The hyenas had
actually devoured him alive."
I asked Mrs. Sheldon about the manner of
her marching. She said that thev averaged
about 25 or 30 miles a dav, encamping at
night wherever a convenient place was
found, and sometimes marching all night
At the various settlements which she
reached she found the chiefs courteous and
cordial. Some of them would not have per
mitted a white man to enter their village,
for they had grown distrustful of some of
the explorers and hunters, but the story of
the coming of one whom thev called Bebe
bwana reached these chiefs, and they
regarded her as something of a super
natural being. Bebe means woman, or is
more equivalent to the meaning originally
applied to the word lady, that is, a
woman of high caste, much power and in
fluence. Bwana means master, and plenty
of bwanas or white masters have been in
that country, most of whom did not leave
very good "reputations. Some were licen
tious, some cruel, some deceitful, so that
prejudice has arisen against them. But
now there was coming a bebe-bwana, a
woman master who was said to be powerful,
truthful and kind, and the chiefs were anx
ious to see such a person, to exchange com
pliments with her and presents.
Tt llhoat a Shred ot Clothing;
"With the exception of one village which
lies right in the track of the caravans and
where European vice has been introduced,
Mrs. Sheldon found all these people decor-
""
ous, modest, gentle, but perfect naturals,
meaning by that that they were without the
slightest suggestion of the mannerisms or
developments which accompany civiliza
tion. "Why," said Mrs. Sheldon, speaking
with great dignity and modesty of manner
herself, "in many of these villages the
people wore not a shred of clothing, and yet
their manner was such, their perfeet un
consciousness so crreat, that it was impos
sible to take offense, for they had none
among themselves. I made some inquiries
and found that their code of morals was
perfect, and that licentiousness as we
know it does not exist To be sure some of
them practice polygamy, hut the husbands
and their wives live according to their code
in a perfectly pure state of domestic hap-
finess. One of the most impressive lessons
think I received in that country was that
of the purity of morals of these uncontami
nated people, and I wonder if it is true that
those whom I call the naturals are after all
the only virtuouB people, taking them
right through and through, that are to be
found."
Characteristics ot the Women.
I asked Mrs. Sheldon to describe some of
the costumes of the people whom she met
"Well," she said, "I was particularly in
terested in the women and children, and I
probably got more of their confidence than
any male traveler could ever obtain. These
wo'men and children are naturally just as
domestic, just as devoted as the best of the
Europeans, and I must say just as fond of
jewelry. It was interesting to see the
mothers put little bells upon the ankles of
their babies so as to encourage them to walk.
And I was delighted and amused often to
witness tbe harmless vanity with which they
decorated themselves with bracelets, anklets,
armlets and girdles of beads." They were
very curious and inquisitive, asking Mrs.
Sheldon much about her dresses, her cos
tumes and her ornaments and were ex
traordinarily imitative, some of them try
at once to make for themselves out of the
cloth with which she presented them gar
ments of similar construction. Some of
them with a little education would make
excellent dressmakers.
Here it would be interesting to let Mrs.
Sheldon herself describe an accident which
&J0.
mi m is
'0m
nearly made a fact of the prophecy of those
who said that she would never come out of
Africa alive. Four men were carrying her
in her palanquin on a bridge made of rough
green logs over the Ruins river. They were
some 60 ieet above the water. The bark
made the logs treacherous and slippery, and
ot a sudden the feet of her porters gave way
and she and they were precipitated into the
stream. She was rescued just in time to
save her life and was not seriously injured
except that the shock in her debilitated con
dition brought on nervous prostration. Her
porters were severely bruised, but none of
them were drowned.
Didn't Come Back TJnscarred.
After they reached the coast Mrs. Shel
don was prostrated completely, and for a
time was in a state of coma. This was due
partly to the shock, partly to her exhaus
tion and very largely to her loss of sleep,
perhaps partly to the reaction from the ex-
1 ) HtWJiM sf
jf ... v Zuuilir
Mri'M "Wi-SWo )
Mrs. French-Sheldon.
citement nf the ionrnev. As though that
was not enough, during a monsoon on the
return Mrs. Sheldon was pitched against
the side of the ship, severely wounded in
the head, and the scars of that frightful in
jury are still visible upon her temple, and
when she brushes her curly hair aside can
be seen extending far back in the scalp.
"By the way," she said, "I am going
again. I know exactly where that stone
spear which the chief revealed to me as a
secret treasure lies hidden, and I am going
to get it. I am not going to steal it from
him, either. I am going to buy or borrow
it, and my impression is that it will prove a
most important archaeological treasure. I
would not be surprised if by it connection
could be traced between these people and
the early Egyptians."
"What of the natural features in that
part of tropical East Africa pleased yon
chiefly?" I asked.
Wonderful Phosphorescent Lights.
"Oh, everything. It was all so fascinat
ing, so strange, so interesting. There was
not a moment when my mind was not occu
pied, not a tedious instant upon the entire
journey. But perhaps," and here Mrs.
Sheldon seemed to be meditating a moment,
"perhaps the phosphorescent mists were the
most weird and peculiar of all the sights I
saw. I never heard them spoken of as ap
pearing in that country, and I wonder if
any explorer has ever seen them there.
These mists are of the same effect as that
which the glow-worm produces, except that
they are immense in area and mag
nificent in brilliancy. They seem
to arise and to contain some qual
ity, either phosphorescent or elec
trical, so that their appearance upon the
plains and in the valleys suggests to some
extent that of the aurora. The natives will
plunge into them, wave their spears or
clubs, and it looks as though these weapons
had become incandescent I must say that
I was awe-struck by the sight, and yet it
rested me to look at this glowing disturb
ance of the local atmosphere.
"And then the verdure of East Africa is
something VonderfuL Perhaps it is that
which makes those natives so wonderfully
far-sighted. It cannot be that, however,
which gives them such remarkable powers
of hearing. I have seen men lie upon their
bellies and make a peculiar, not lond ut
terance, which has been heard and responded
to by others who seemed to be a mile or
two away. I presume that is made possible
by some peculiar quality of the atmos
phere which carries sound made in a certain
way for a long distance." T. J. K.
MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
MOS5ART 01335.
tf. P. McCOLXTrM, Conductor. J
Boston Symphony Orchestra.
AKTHTJB XIXISCH, Conductor.
With tbe eminent soloists: Emen D' Al
bert, Mr. and Mrs. George Henschel, Miss
Adelaide Foresman. Gardner S. Lamson, E.
H. Dermltt and Pant Zimmerman.
OLD COT HALL, MAT 12, 18 and 14.
Season tickets, $5; single tickets, $2; gal
lery. $L 8ale of season tickets Wednesday,
Mayi. Single tickets on and after Thurs
day, May 8, at MELLOE & HOENE'S, 77
Fifth avenne. ap24-77
KARRIS' THEATER.
Mrs. F. Harris, B. L. Brltton, T. F. Dean,
Proprietors and Managers.
Popular Prices Always Prevail at
Harris' Theater,
10, 15 and 25 Cents!
WEEK GDMMEHGING MONDAY, APH1L 75.
Every Afternoon and Evening.
The young, bright and winsome soubrette,
LITTLE S0LD1E,
In the realistic Comedy Drama,
THE
Rocky Mountain Waif.
New and Beautiful Scenery!
The Great Snow Storm
In the Kooky Mountains, gradually clearing
up, snowing the grandest of all
scenlo effects.
"Pike's Peak" and "Manitou Springs"
by Moonlight.
SPECIAL NOTICE All children under 13
years of aire, accompanied by their parents,
will be ADMITTED FKEE to the Tuesday
and Friday matinees.
Week May 3 "Two Old Cronies." ap2448
THE
U.S.
-AND
ABE COMING
MAY 5.
apM-23
GRAND CONCERT
By the Celebrated United Superior
CHOEAL UNION.
Benefit of General James A. Garfield, Post
No. 215. G. A. ., at
OLD CITY HALL,
Thursday nicht, April 38.
Admission, 60 cents. apSMT
MARINE
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NEW ADVERTISEMENT.
The Leading Amusement Resort for Ladies
and Children.
WEEK BEGINNING
MONDAY, APRIL 25.
CURIO HALL.
IJWrwJ.Spoiir,
-THE-
WORLD'S GREATEST MIND BEADED,
Human Thought Magnet
AND
SPIRITUALISTIC MEDIUM.
Skeptics Especially Invited.
And several other features.
THEATER.
THE TWO BEES
SPECIALTY COMPANY.
DALY & PEARL,
America's Representative Black Face
Comedians.
MISS MILLIE OLIVE,
Wonderful Juggling Feats.
CHAS. H. KENG,
The Original Banjo King and Comedian.
TANNER & DOWLEY,
In their original act,
"The Jailer and the Convict."
The Irish Linnet,
MISS NELLIE DALY..
The Famous Footllght Favorites,
THE TWO BEES.
None others like them.
ADMISSION, 10 CENTS.
apsuu
DUQUESNE,
PITTSBURG'S
LEADING
THEATEB.
WEEK OF MAT i,
MODJESKA,
And.her own company of players
nr
REPERTOIRE.
Sale of Seats Begins Thurs
day Morning Next at
9 O'clock.
apM-92
HARRY DAVIS'
FIFTH AVENUE MUSEUM
AND
FAMILY THEATER.
COMMENCING APRIL 25.
DOT SUNWELL,
The Queen of Snake Charmers, in
a Den ot Venomous Reptile.
The young lady -was recently bitten by a
poisonous rattler and nearly died from tbe
wound. Her life was saved by tbe skillful
medical staff of Bellavue Hospital, New
Tork City.
A MEXICAN FEATHER-WORKER,
Weaving beautiful crepes and lace from
tbe fibers of birds' plumage.
ADMIRAL DOT,
Tbe clever singing midget.
THE INDIAN MUSICIANS.
THEATER.
THE FOWLERS.
Hat Spinners and Eqnflrbrit.
EllllCHEVKIEL,
Court Musician from Madrid.
THE AMAXJiS,
German Dialect Comedian.
THE FREYES,
Character Sketoh Artist.
EMERSON AND CLARK,
Originators of the Great Break-Neck
Song and Dance.
ADMISSION 10 GENT&
' .- f
Doors open from 1 to 10 r. x.
Week of May 2 Tha Great "CountrrClr-
I
THI5
SEASON
T0-
NIGHT
AND ALL THE WEEK.
ItmUaeca 'Wednesday and Saturday.
MORROW
THE BLAZING SUN OF
JOLLY
r
THE AUTOCRATIC
or THE
FARCE-COMEDY
AIL IN ONE RING AND UNDER ONE
PRESENTED HERE WITH THE SAME Dl mil TUCnTCD MCUI VDDV PITV WHERE IT
CAST AND EFFECTS AS SEEN AT THE DIJUU I tit A I tK, 11 til TUnA III I I, ACHIEVED
The One Brilliant, Sweeping, Matchless and Overwhelming
SUCCESS OF THE SEASON!
NELLIE McHENRY'S
GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
HERE
TO-MORROW NIGHT.
THE ALVIN THEATER.
Charles L. Davis Owner and Manager.
,70-FIRE EX1TS-70
BEGINNING MONDAY, APRIL 25
ONLY MATINEE SATURDAY.
ELL'S
The Heiv York BJJou Theater Home
AMELIA
SWBATNAM,
SCHOOLCRAFT,
MIRON,
SEAMAN,
MULLALLV,
PRESENTING THE
NEW CITY DIRECTORY
RIGHT UP TO DATE.
00 Nights at the 311 on Theater, New York. The Best Company In America.
ap22 31
HAMY
WILLIAMS
ACADEMY.
MOPAY EVENING, APRIL 25.
Matinees Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday.
DUNNE'S
ROYAL JAPANESE
TROUPE.
RYAN &JRI0HFELD,
HARDING & AH SID,
CHIP,
ALICE MONTAGUS,
J. RSYER WST,
ROWE & RENTZ
The NELSON SISTERS,
HARRY M'AYOY,
EMMA ROGERS,
And theWhlstling Coon,
SAM DE VERS.
DE HERE'S
NEW
OF
SELECTED
VAUDEVILLE
STARS.
Monday. .Mar J-flam Jack' Creole Bnr-
IpVM Obaapaar apt
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POPULAR WITH THE PEOPLE.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ::::::: E. M. GTJUOK & CO.
THE SOUL-TICKLING LAUGH-INSPIRING CIRC0-C0MEDY
THE TALK OF
EMPRESS
WORLD.
FT 13 SOMETHINa HEW
IT Xa A. SENBA.TION
IT IS A BE-V-IXA.TIOX
fi miiHL.
PRICE)
RESERVED SEATS
Company and America's Dancer,
GLOVER.
k nB vzL S BT -
DALY, ELDB1DGE,
HAVEELY, CLEVELAND,
WITMARK, KELSO,
WABFIELD, JJABT,
JACKSON, WELLEB.
Special Matinee
OPERA
HOUSE.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON ADDII OQ
AT 2 O'CLOCK. MllllU J.
Grand entertainment. Fancy and charac-
teiistlc dancing by the Saturday
Afternoon Class,
1
63, 63 and 67 Fourth ave., second floor.
GODDESS FLORA'S GATHERING
ASD
COLUMBIA'S NATIONAL PAGEANT.
M INisT 200
Elegant Costumes!
Calcium Lights !
Brilliant and Catchy Music!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE DRC1IE5TRA,
Prof. P. Schwartz, Director.
ENTERTAINMENT AND REOEPTION AT
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FOURTH AVE. AND WOOD ST.
Danolna 10 p. x to 2 x. li. Gernert's full or
chestra. Tickets DO cents. Good
at either performance.
ap24ol
THEATRE
TRE FARCE-COMEDY SKY.
NEW YORK CITY
z- JP
DUQUESNE
One Week, Commencing Monday, April 25.
MATINEE SATUBBAT OXjTT, AT 1:3 F. M., SnAKP.
FANNY
UAVtNrun
hill IIhIii y N a
Supported byMElBOUKXE HocDOWlXL, and her own Company, under
the Management ofaiAKCTTS K. MATEK.
SARDOU'S
CLE0PAT
Stimugedi adapted and presented under tbe personal supervision of
FANNY DAVENPORT.
Orders by Stall BecelTC Prompt Attention.
NJB2CX ATTRACTIOJf-'MODJESKA.
GRAND 0PISE.
Mr. E. D. Wilt Proprietor and Manager.
ONE WEEK, COMMENCING APfflL 25.
A PERFECT PRODUCTION OP THE BEST AND FUNNIEST MUSICAL FAHC5'
COMEDY IN THB UNIVERSE,
A BREEZY
INTERPRETED BY
E. B. FITZ AND KATHRYN WEBSTER,
Assisted by a Capable Company of Comedians Under the Direction of
ALL LAUGHTER AND MUSICAL HARMONY.
Effects, The Newest. Costumes, The Nattiest.
Girls, The Prettiest Musi?, Tie Latest and Sweetest
Dancers, World-Renowned and Greatest.
Comedians, Brightest and Wittiest.
YOU BUY THE TICKET, WE'LL DO THE REST.
Matinees Wednesday and Saturday 25c, 50c, Resaned.
PRICES, 15, 25, 50 AND 75 CTS,
NEXT WEEK-Tbe latest Tares Comedy,
FIRSTT1E1
The Farce Comedians may come,
The Farce Comedians may bo,
There Is bnt one Nellie McHenry
And one Sic fehow.
FIRST CIRCUS
THIS SEASON.
A
NIGHT
AT
THE
CIRCUS
BY H. GBATTAX DONNELLY, ESQ ,
(The Best Thine Ho Ever Produced)
Author of "NATXTKAX GAS," "I.ATEK OX," Eto.
ONE TICKET
ADMITS TO ALL.
May 2 John I bnlllvan In Hont
Hearts and Willing Hands." ap21 22
PITTSBURG'S
LEADING
THEATER.
Hexdzesox
&
Nobtoit,
llanasera.
apK9.
THE VOODOO.
p
t
fc i- ..
, -l