Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-09-20

His companions quickly joined him.
Before them lay a rude-looking dilapi-
dated grave. surrounded by low wall
of loose stonesS few PAGES from il
grew sturdy tree, on the branches OF
which hung some dirty discolored rags.
IL was an Afghan ziardt or shrine; but
il had such desolate and uncared- fol-
appearance, that it seemed as though
the place had lost tits sanctity, and fallen
into disrepute.
Probably the tomb of some Moham-
medan fakir or devotee," said Farmer,
inquiringly.
al rather doubt the ability of the AT
CHAN race TO produce such crop OF
holy men," returned Strong, scornful-
ly. II believe nearly every eminence
in the country is disiigured by an eye
sore of this description"
Every likely you are right" said
Henderson; 'for these zidratS are often
arbitrarily erected by priests and fakirs
for purposes of gain; and it is an even
chance that no one lies buried here.
In any case, Farmer, l shall not let il
interfere with our plans, if you consid-
er the site suitable one"
at will do capitally," answered the
surgeon. "There will be just room
enough on the crest for our bungalow
and the garden and outhouses can be
terraced little lower down along the
slope"
The matter being thus definitely set
tied, the officers turned their steps in
the direction of their mess house, not
q little gratiiied at having been so sue
cessful in their search.
The following day, accompanied by
a couple of natives-a contractor and
his Standardization and Strong
proceeded to the spot they had select
ed, and were busy discussing in detail
the plan of the house they proposed
erecting, when the Afghan already
spoken of came swiftly up the ascent,
and without pause or the slightest at
tempt at salutation, rudely addressed
them: "Sirs Sahiban]," he exclaimed,
sis what l hear true, that you intend
building on this moundp" His voice
shook; his whole manner was .tremu-
lous with excitement
For second or two, the officers stared
in surprise at the man who had so alb
ruptly interrupted their conversation;
and. indeed, he was aremarkablc-look-
ing individual. Quite six feet in height
he was, as gaunt as q skeleton; his face
was long, with almost fleshless checks
and jaws the nose large and hawk
like; the eyes were small, deep-sunken
and fiery, their brightness being fed
by an inward flame, that at times only
flickered, but at Others burned ficrccly
enough.
Captain Henderson answered the
question in q quiet but stern stone:
Eyes, it is perfectly true-But what dc
you mean by this un-called for intru-
sion? Who are you?"
81 am Mobarak Shah, priest (naollah)
and fakir." was the reply. "This
ziarG is one of the most venerated in
the country; it is the tomb of cele-
brated saint, and in my charge. Are
you going to desecrate it?'
"May ask why you keep the most
venerated shrine in the country in this
vilely neglected condition Pr said
Strong, pointing contemptuously to the
ruined grave. '1t looks as if it had
been abandoned for years"
Understand clearly, fakir," said
Henderson, "what we have determined
to do, we shall certainly carry out; but
the bones of your saint shall rest in
peace; there will be no digging round
this little patch; it will merely be lev
eled and made neat Now you'd bet.
ter CO."
But the Mohammedan was both urgent
and importunate. "Choose some other
site, sirs. Don't outrage the holy
place, | beseech you, or evil will
come of it-evil to you ALL" He spoke
earnestly, warningly, and hung about
in their vicinity until they quilted the
knoll.
A week and more went by, and
preparations for building the house
were being rapidly pushed forward.
kir had been well nigh forgotten by the
young cavalrymen, and they expected
no further annoyance from him; but in
truth, had they been aware of tho in.
tense and superstitious reverence in
which the Afghans hold their StdrdtS,
they would scarcely have been so easy
in their minds. A well-known authori.
ty on this subject says: "Tbe fear, love
and veneration with which these shrines
are regarded by the mass of the people,
is really astonishing, and much greater,
l believe, than anything of the kind
among other Mohammedan nations;
here the zidrdt holds higher place
even than the leading precepts incul-
Gated by the Koran" IL will not, there
fore, be a matter for surprise, that the
Afghan should have resolved to make a
second and still more forcible appeal to
the Englishmen's sense of justice; and
if that failed, then to pour out on the
impious unbclievers-a he considered
them--tho bitter phials of his wrath.
He had not to wait long for his oppor-
tunity. One afternoon, the three friends
met on the mound, and were inspecting
the progress of the work. The founda-
tons of the bungalow had been dug;
but as yet the grave remained untouch-
ed, when the fakir was seen approach
ing with train of followers behind
him. He wore the usual loose Afghan
dress of an ash-gray color, and Pathan
skull-cap; but there was cleaner, more
wholesome look about him, as if he had
prepared himself specially for n great
occasion. With long, uneven steps he
stalked up the hillock, and at once al
dressed himself to DR.. Farmer, who
happened to be nearest. "Sir, per.
suade your friends to stop this sacrilc.
gious work; it is horrible thus to desc.
crate the tomb of holy man." His
tone was loud and harsh, and natural.
ly it vexed the surgeon.
"Be off with your he exclaimed, mo-
tioning him away with his hand.
ut is my right to be here" cried the
Afghan, passionately; "this place i:
even as my home to me. You are the
interlopers; it is your footsteps that dc.
file and dishonor this sacred shrine
Sirs, build your house elsewhere, oil
your punishment will be sure and
speedy"
"Now, fakir," said Henderson, angri
ly, "rll give you half minute to take
yourself off in; if you are not gone
then, my servants shall forcibly remove
YOU"