The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-09-18

In LnlS ulltfuuld, q ui>teu ShiuPoC VI
the tall square tower of Ramleh a. ,is
mathea) gives me timely hint.
Look here, we're not far from the
Russian monastery; let US halt there for
the afternoon and go on to Jaffa in the
cool of the evening""
"Ah, Effendi," your honor) "you
won't get in there very easily. Since
the place was attacked the other day,
they've been very shy of admitting any
one"
"Well, there's no harm in trying,
ANYHOW. You two take charge of our
friend here while I ride forward and
try my LUCK
A few minutes later, ] am hammer
ing Justify at the monastery gate. which.
set deep in its scowling archway of
gray stone and clamped with huge iron
nails, certainly looks anything but hos
pitable. A little wicket opens and a
hooded monk, cycling me suspiciously
through grating, surlily asks what |
want.
NY reply is single Russian phrase
the monastic greeting which I learned
long ago from the monks of Strelna, on
the Gulf of Finland. But its effect is
magical. The gate flies open and am
seized in hug worthy of Polar bear.
A greasy, red beard scrubs both my
cheeks, while hoarse voice bellows
rapturously, 'sAch. brat mot brat moi! !
vui bulk f. MoskUayr' Cab, my brother,
my brother, you too have been at Mos
cow
The shout draws other monks to the
spot and my companions, coming up at
that moment, are welcomed like BROTH
ers. In a trice our sick man is lying at
his ease in cool, well-aired room, with
half dozen kindly g Brethren in at
tendance upon HIM, while the rest of us
are being RECALLED with the best cheer
that the refectory affords, to which our
worthy guide does ample justice.
lit is well for US, Daoud Ehendi,'
says he to me with grin, that you
have found these gates more passable
than Sekundur RUM alexander the
Great) found those of Paradiser'
He didn't come away empty-hand-
ed, however" remarked l; he brought
back something to show for it"
"My lord knows the story, thenp'
{" Yes, but my friends here don't; SO
suppose you tell it to them"
Mordecai, nothing 10th, clears his
throat with huge draught of tea and
begins as follows:
" You must know, then, gentlemen,
that when the great king, Sekundur,
had conquered all the nations of the
East, and there was none left to stand
before him, he bethought himself that
| it would be noble deed to seek out
the hidden Paradise, which so many
princes and mighty men had sought in
vain. So he inquired diligently till he
found one that could guide him thither,
and upward he went into the heart of
the everlasting hills, with all his chosen
warriors about him.
But although many set out, few
arrived. For the way led among dark
mountains and roaring torrents and
grim precipices and gloomy forests, set
there by God Himself, that no mortal
man might ever reach the place from
which mans own sin had once cast him
out. And many Of the Frankish host
fell and persisted by the way, and many
were swept away by the torrents, and
many more were devoured by the mon
strous beasts that haunted the passage.
But forward went Sekundur, needing
nothing; for he was one who cared not
how other men Jared if he did but make
good his own purpose.
At last he saw above him, between
two great rocks, a gate bright as the
eyes of the Caliph Ali; and he thought
that this could be no other than the en-
trance of Paradise. So up he clambered
and smote upon the gate with his sword
hilt. crying:
"Open to Sekundur Rumi. the lord
of the whole earthr
sssThere is no place here for such as
thee,' answered terrible voice from
within. This is the garden of God,
and none may enter it with bloody
hands,!
"And the king looked at his hands.
and 10! all the blood that he had shed
was upon them, making them crimson
as Shiraz wine. Then q great terror
came upon him, and he knew not what
to say.
"'Hear met cried he at length; if
may not enter, give me at least some
token whereby men may know that !
have indeed reached the gate of the
Paradise of God
"'Take thy gift, then. mailman an
swered the voice; and a hand flung to
him something wrapped in leaves,
which he seized without even looking
at it $50 great was his fear) and hurried
away.
"When they saw him returning his
warriors rejoiced greatly, for they had
thought him lost; and he unrolled the
leaves to show them his gift. But 10!
it was only the fragment Of skull, and
Sekundur flung it on the ground in q
rage.
Then said one of the Babylonian
wise men who were with him, Fling it
not away, 0 King, for in truth it is a
precious gift. Let them bring me q
pair of scales hither, and the king shall
see wonders
ssThe SCALES wera hrouOht and the