Ahasuerus Jenkins

Ahasuerus Jenkins is an Army leader written about in the poem "Army Headquarters." Although he is not a good horseman and people laugh at the way in which he salutes, he has a beautiful tenor singing voice. Jenkins uses his voice as well as his false praise to win the affection of Cornelia Agrippa. Cornelia's husband is in control of a department in the Army. Cornelia, in turn, uses her influence and control over her husband to keep Jenkins from being sent back to active duty. Instead Jenkins is given a desk job and a double salary.

Matun

Matun is a blind beggar attacked by the bear Adam-zad, who supposedly can stand on his hind legs like a man. This beggar tells his story to the men who go presently to fight the bear with their modern rifles. The beggar asks for money to show people the...