Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-12-09
A HOME THRUST.
BY WILLIAM M'ARTHUR.

Abu Ben Hadar and Null Ibraham,
two camel drivers, were crossing from
contrary directions the Desert of Shall,
on the way to Shiraz, and met at the
Oasis of FL Ghoun.
The former, who was the older of
the two. had been a slave in the early
part of his career, having been captur-
ed by pirates and, after having passed
from one master to another, he had at
length found himself in Constantine
pie. where he was held for time in
close servitude by merchant of that
city extensively engaged in commerce
but he had at length contrived to effect
his escape, and had made his way after
many vicissitudes in a northeasterly
direction, where he adopted his present
avoca.ion.
Null, on the other hand, had never
since infancy been anything almost but
child of the desert He was, never.
theiess, brought up strictly in the tents
of the Koran, of which he was ligid
obserer, and on the present occasion he
was glad to meet man who had seen
so much of the outside world.
While the two drivers smoked their
narghiles under the palm trees, their
camels resting meanwhile in the shade,
Abu entertained his young companion
with details of what was TO be observ-
ed beyond the limits IF the trackless
waste of sand. He told him OF the
magnific snce of Stamboul, which far
excelled in all the Shiraz could produce,
even as the sun, the monarch of day,
outshines the brightness of the pale
Queen of night, or as the great star AL.
gor exceeds in dazzlicg splendor the
radiance of the entire cluster Of the
Pleiades.
Tell me, D, Father y said Null
something about the forbidden cup of
the Giaour'
| Son. said the old man, impressively,
If thou woulds't prolong thy days and
secure the favor of Allah (whose name
be ever blessed), stun that cup. Thou
hast never, evidently from thy inqui-
~, seen it, or its effects. The wild
beasts that roam at night through the
ruins of Persepolis. are not more dan =
gerous to man than it is. The fascina-
ting gaze of the deadly serpent which
lureth its victim to destruction whi le
daralizing his every effort to escape is
not more certainly perilous. The siroc-
CO, whose deadly blast carryeth with it
destruction to man and beast, is m lid
| in lis effect when compared with the
blight that lies concealed in the accurs-
| ed wine cup. The carcases that strew
the desert, food for its vultures, are
mere units to the number of those slain
daily by the intoxicating drink. Thou
art still young. Let moth ing tempt
thee-curiosity sometimes may let
nothing induce thee-the invitation of
the treacherous Frank often may-to
touch. to taste, to handle. have seen
what 1t can work ; therefore, say be
warned =
The sun had descended some degrees
from his meridian altitude when the
two camel drivers separated, each to
pursue bis monotonous journey.
When Null arrived at his destina-
tion he found awaiting him two off.
cials connected with British Diplo
matte mission, the senior of whom
took from parcel which form ed part
of the baggage carried by his camel
some important dispatches.
In the nick of time, BIett,' observed
the officer to his friend. 'One day late
and our mission here was useless
How lucky What good thing te
be abls to pluck at the whisker of the
Russian Bear