The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-29
THU IDLER And THU FIG

In the lazy little village OF Blidah, some
years before the French invasion, there
lived an honest Moor named after his
father. Sidi Lakdsr, but to whom the viii
layers had given the name Of the ldler.
The Moors are known to be the most in
dolent people in the world. but those OF
the village of Blidah were considered the
LATEST Of their eountrymen- 1t was, per-
haps, to be attributed TO the dangerous
perfumes Of oranges or lines which hung
over the town like sweet-seented cloud
But among all who lived in this LATEST
of lazy towns no one could come up to
Sidi Lakdar for downright idleness and
nonchalsnce. The worthy man had ele-
waited his vice to the height of profess
sion Other people might be embroider-
ers, cafe owners, spice merchants and so
on-but he was an idler.
When his father died he inherited
small garden under the ramparts of the
town, surrounded by low, white walls
falling into decay. The gate was so en-
tangled by weeds that it could not be
closed. There were a few fg and banana
trees Here and there in the grass q
spring babbled up.
1t was in his garden that Sid Lakdar
passed his life, prone on his back in the
grass. silent and motionless, while the lit
tie red ants found a home in his beard
When he was hungry be stretched ont an
arm and gathered re or a banana lying
within reach; bat he would have pre-
ferred starvation TO the alternative of ris-
ing to gather the fruit of the tree. So
most of the figs decayed where they fell
and the trees suffered from the general
neglect
This extraordinary Incidence made
Lakdar quite noted person IN that part
of the country; he was looked up TO and
reverenced as q sort Of saint. When the
ladies Of the town visited the cemetery
near by they walked their mules as they
passed his domicile and spoke in whispers
under their white wells while men in
clined their heads IN involuntary homage.
Every day after school hours crowd of
boys in gayly striped silk vests and red
caps congregated on one Of the walls in
closing Ladkar's domain, and tried in sll
sorts Of ways TO disturb that magnificent
Incidence, calling him by name, laughing,
shouting, throwing orange peel ST him
and otherwise tormenting him.
But in vain The Idler did not move.
Every now and then 8 voice from the
depths Of the grass would ne heard Take
Cars. now, take care; il | only get up 10
yoai" But he never got up.
II happened that one OF these bows COM
ing constantly with the Others to make
game of the idler found himself AT last
overcome by admiration and great de-
sire to assume himself the horizontal ex-
istence. He went TO his father and boldly
declared that ne intended giving Up school
and wished to become an idIe-
An idlerl Noup' said the father.
worthy turner OF pipe stems. as busy as
bee. and seated before his lathe every
morning at cockCrow. you an idle-! A
pretty idea indeed"
Yes, father, ! wish 10 he sn idler Ike
Sid Lskdar."
Nothing Of the sort. nv boy; you shall
Ne turner like your father. or a register
81 the Law courts Of the Cadi ike your Tn
Gle Ali, bat You shall never become xn
idler-uever. Sc Of now to school. or |
may be tempted to use this ane new piece
81 cherry wood on your back. Be OF now.
yop young rascal. :"
The cherry wood had the desired effect.
snG the boy. feirniug obedience, with
drew; bar instead OF going 20 school he
made his way 10 a Moorish bazaar. and
seising bis opportunity secre,eG himself
between two piles Of Smyrna rugs and re-
NAMED there 81 osv, lying on hrs back
staring Ep st the Moorish lanterns and
richly embroidered hodlces rlistening in
she sun. while he inhaled tue delicious
perfume from the TASKS Of stfa- Of roses
scattered about In TINS manner he rasse6
a. the SINE thAt he should have been al
school
His father soon got an mixing of how
matters stood; bat n vain ne shouted
stormea. cursed the name Of Allah and
punished the youES urchln with -! the
cherry Woo1 canes n has saop A. was
useless; the bow only repeated obstinate. e:
- VII he an iG.er. and he wss foQn5 con-
stnuaAy stretched ont IN some corner.
St5eT.y discouraged, ~ last the father
sock = aegg3ed step after consulting the
Registrar Al
Listen e. me." he said 80 hls son. AS
yon Are determined 10 Re 81 l6Ier. Will
take Won - Lak3ar. he wla examine vau.
and If ven have any ~esl fitness Tor ms
profession ] vii beg him 10 tske voG as au
apprentice "
That v III suit me, replied the bov.
The very next a2v, Nth freshly shaver1
heads snd laylshiy pert0me5 With ver.
nsna. thew souehg tht Iaser ju his l.ftls
garden The gate vas swsvS open, -
thrv entered without ceremony. hat the
grass being very h4Eh s0d very salck they
hsd some trouble - locate the lord oF the
eomeln At last they Sound h.m wing
under the f< trees in nasze u birds and
everErown plants bundle 81 yellow rags.
lie received them w&gA s grun5.
Allah be with you Slsli L&kisF." sad
shs father. how alg lev. las hand on Als