River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-05-28

ohelkh All, holy man, who kept holy
, tomb of an ancient prophet. The tomb
was on hill, under bic oak tree, and
the white dome could be seen for miles
aound. Lamps were kept burning da,
and night IN the tomb, and if any one ex.
tlnguished them they were tremendously
lighted again. Men with sore eyes came
to visit il, and were cured. The earth
around the tomb was carried off to be
used as medicine. Women came and
tied old rags on the limbs of the tree, as
VOWS to the wonderful prophet. Nobody
knew the name Of the prophet, but the
tomb wos called "Kobi en- Nebi," or
'Tomb Of the Prophet" A green cloth
was spread over the 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. Shei.lh Ali was
becoming a rich man, and all the pill
grims kissed his hand and begged his
blessing
Now, Sheikh Ali had a faithful servant
named Mohammed, who had served him
long and we'll But Mohammed was
weary Of living in one place, and asked
permission to go and seek his fortune in
distant parts. So Shekh Ali gave him
his blessing and presented him with
donkey, which he had had for many
years, that he might rid when tired Of
walking. Then Mohammed, thus pro.
vided, set out on his journey. He went
through cities and towns and villages and
ut last came out on the mountains east II
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 a
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
jaekals and vultures. so he piled mound
OF stones over its body and sat down to
weep. While he was thus weeping, a
wealthy Hail, or pilgrim, came along on
his return from Mecca. lie was surpris
GO 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 | have
vowed to be its keeper but am in great
need" The Haiji thanked him for the
news, and dismounted TO visit the holy
place, and gave Mohammeu rich pres
ent. After nc had gone, Mohammed has
tened to the nearest village aud bought
provisions. and then returned to the holy
prophets tomb. The Haiii spread the
newS, and pilgrims throngcd to the spot
with rich presents ana offerings. AS
money came in, Mohammed brought ma.
sons and built costly tomb, with a tall
white dome that could be seen across tho
Jordan. he lived in little room by the
tomb, and soon the miraculous lights be.
gan to appear in the tomb at night, which
Mohamnled 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 own visitors begaR to fall of, decid.
ed to 60 himself and gain the m2rit of
visit to the tomb Of that famous prophet.
When he arrived there with his rich pre-.
sents of green cloth, incense and money,
he bowed in silence to pray toward Nee.
ca, when suddenly he recognized in the
holy keeper of the tomb his old servant,
Mohammed.
''Salam alaykoom!" said Sheikh Ali.
"Alaykoom es salam!" replied NOLAN.
med.
When the Sheikh asked him how he
came here, and how he found this tomb,
Mohammed replied:
This tombis great SIR 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 Mohsmmed said:
my honored Sheikh, you remember
having given me donkey. IL was a faith.
ful donkey; and when he died | buried it.
This is the tomb Of that Donkey
'Mashallah Mashallah!" said Sheikh
Ali, 1.-THE will Of Allah be doner'
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, wish TO
know the secret Of yours
impossible y sad Ali, "for that is one
Of the ancient mysteries, too sacred to be
mentioned by mortal lips"
But you must tell me, even as 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
fathcr!'
"Mashallah!' said Mohammed; "may
Allah bless the beard Of the holy don.
keysI"
This story is told by DIR. Jessup, long
a missionary in Syria.