The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-05-28

| The Tsuabs 81 he EIsly Dssksys.
Once upon time there was . great
Sheikh Ali, holy man, who kept : holy
tomb Of IN ancient prophet. The tomb
was on hill, under big oak tree, and
tho white dome could be seen for miles
around. Lamps were kept burning day
and night in tho tomb, and if any ono ex-
tinguished them they were miraculously
lighted again. Men with sore eyes came
to visit it, and were cured. The earth
around the tomb was carried off to. be
used % medicine. Women came and
tied old rags on the limbs Of tho tree, as
VOWS to the wonderful prophet. Nobody
knew the name of the prophet, but the
tomb was called ''Kobi en- Nebi," or
''Tomb Of the Prophet A green cloth
WAS spread over tho tomb under the
dome, and incense was sold by the Sheikh
to those who wished to heal their sick, or
or drive out evil spirits from their
houses. Pilgrims came from afar to
visit the holy place. and its fame extend.
ed over all the land. Sheikh Ali was
becoming rich man, and oil the pill.
grims kissed his hand and begged his
blessing.
Now, Sheikh Ali had faithful servant
named Aohammed, who had served him
long and we'll. But Mohammed was
weary Of living in one place, and asked
permission to 60 and seek his fortune in
distant parts. So Sheikh Ali gave him
his blessing and presented him with a
donkey, which he had had for many
years, that he might ride when tired Of
walking. Then Mohammed, thus pro.
vided. set out on his journey. He went
at last came out on the mountains east Of
Jordan, in desert place. No village or
house was in sight, and night came on.
Hungry, tired and discouraged, poor Mo-
manned lay down by his donkey on
great pile of stones and went to sleep. In
the morning he awoke. and, alas his
donkey was dead. He was in despair
but his kindly nature would not let the
poor brute lie there to be devoured by
jackals and vultures, SO he piled mound
Of stones over its body and sat down to
weep. While he was thus weeping, a
wealthy Hajji, or pilgrim. came along On
his return from Mecca. He was surpris-
ed to see man alone in this wilderness,
and asked him why he was weeping. Mo.
manned replied: 20 Hail! have found
the tomb Of holy prophet, and l have
vowed to be its keeper but am in great
need" The Hajji thanked him for the
news, and dismounted to visit the holy
place, and gave Mohammed rich pres.
cnt. After he had gone, Mohammed has
tened to the nearest village and bought
provisions. and then returned to the holy
prophets tomb. The Haiji spread the
news, and pilgrims throngcd to the spot
with rich presents and offerings. As
money came in, Mohammed broug hit ma.
sons and built costly tomb, with tall
white dome that could be seen across the
Jordan. He lived in little room by the
tomb, and soon the miraculous lights be-
gan to appear in the tomb at night, which
Mohammed had kindled when no one was
near. He increased in fame and wealth,
and the prophets tomb came to be re.
garded as one of the greatest shrines of
the land
At length Sheikh Ali heard Of the fame
Of the new holy place in the desert, and,
as his OWL visitors began to fall of, decid-
ed to 60 himself and gain the merit Of a
visit to the tomb Of that famous prophet.
When he arrived there with his rich pre-.
scnts Of green cloth, incense and money,
he bowed in silence to pray toward Nee.
ca, when suddenly he recognized in the
holy keeper Of tho tomb his old servant,
Mohammed.
"Salam alaykoom!'' said Sheikh Ali.
"Alavk DOM es salam!o replied NOLAN.
med.
When tho Sheikh asked him how he
came here, and how he found this tomb,
Mohammed replied:
"This tomb is.a great 'sirr,' or mystery,
and am forbidden to utter the secret.''
"But you must tell me-" said Sheikh
Ali, ''for am father to YOU
Mohammed refused and Ali insisted,
until at length Mohammed said:
"My honored Sheikh, you remember
having given me donkey. 1t was faith
full donkey; and when he died buried it.
This is the tomb of that donkey!''
''Mashallah! Mashallah!" said Sheikh
Ali, "The will of Allah be done!''
Then they ate and drank together, and
renewed the memory Of their former life;
and then Mohammed said to Sheikh Ali:
"My master, as have told you the
SIR Of my prophets tomb, I wish to
know the secret Of yours
impossible" sad Ali, "for that is one
of the ancient mysteries, too sacred to be
mentioned by mortal lips.''
"But you must tell me, even rs toll
you"
Atlength the old Sheikh Ali stroked his
snowy beard, adjusted his white turban,
and whispered to Mohammed: Sand my
holy place is the tomb of that donkey's
father!''
''Mashallah!'' said Mohammed; ''may
Allah bless the beard Of the holy don.
keys!'
This story is told by DR.. Jessup, long
missionary in Syria.
An IRf0115Uasnl n0N.