to be potentates, as they can stop railroad travel, mines,
manufactories, etc., at their own sweet will."

"As Charlie was in North Africa," remarked John, "I went to Egypt to be
in his neighborhood, and had the privilege of seeing the Khedive. I
found the country quite demoralized, the finances in a very bad
condition, and few appeared to know who was the real potentate of the
land, the Khedive, the Sultan of Turkey, or the money kings of England.
General Gordon had been murdered, and El Mahdi, the false prophet, was
dead also. Those two men were the greatest potentates Africa has had for
centuries!"

"And I crossed over into Turkey," continued Tom Green, "and had an
audience with the Sultan. I saw numerous pashas in attendance of one,
two, and three tails."

"O, Tom!" cried Gertrude, "that can't be! Even Darwin doesn't claim that
for man in the nineteenth century!"

"My dear young friend," answered Tom, "these tails were not carried
monkey-fashion, but were insignia of office, the man having three tails
holding the highest rank. They are of horse-hair, placed on a long staff
with a gilt ball on top, and are always carried before the Pasha on his
military expeditions. Always ask for information," said he, bowing to
the circle, "and I shall be happy to impart such as is suitable to
juvenile minds!"

"Very condescending!" "Deeply interesting!" "Just from college, isn't
he?" were some of the remarks of the girls.

"The Grand Vizier presented me," continued Tom. "We had a good deal of
pleasant conversation together, the Sultan and I; and I tried to
convince him that the republican form of government was the best.
Strange to say, my eloquence failed in effect. But he was very friendly,
and asked me to stay to tea, and he'd introduce me to his little
family--"

"Tom! Tom!" cried several voices, "Do keep probability in view."

"I declined, of course, even at the risk of hurting his feelings. _I_
don't want to see women with thick veils on; some may think it
romantic--I know Alice does, for it is so mysterious--but _I_ think it
looks as if they were marked with small-pox! Just then, the muezzin
sounded for prayers from the nearest minaret, and the Sultan instantly
fell prostrate on his rich Turkish rug, and began his devotions. He was
just saying, 'Do come, Tom, for'--but he stopped in the midst, and I'll
never know what strong inducement he was going to offer; perhaps he
wanted me to be Grand Vizier. I slipped out