The Idol's Stratagem; or, Buddha's Yankee Brains

Museum Catalog Note This issue of *Adventure Weekly* (March 26, 1898) features "The Idol's Stratagem; or, Buddha's Yankee Brains," the opening installment by Douglas Wells of a military adventure serial set among American officers commanding troops in China. The narrative follows Captain Bruce, a lanky young officer, who awakens to find his face blackened with burnt cork powder by Lieutenant McCarthy as a prank. Ignorant of his altered appearance, Bruce proceeds to inspect his troops' quarters, bewildered by the laughter of his men and nearby Chinese soldiers. Upon discovering the deception via a mirror, Bruce seeks revenge, becoming convinced that fellow officers orchestrated the scheme. The issue contains additional departments including editorial comment, reader correspondence, and humorous content. The series emphasizes practical joke-driven comedy within a military adventure framework.