Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-02
4 CHALDEAN'S BALL.

exclaimed my friend, Eli Efen-
as We sat smoking together on the
iklcony outside my bachelor quarters
AZ Aberdeen, one autumn evening,
tsthere is & cloud over your spirit. You
neither smile nor jest. Where is tiny
blithe heart. thy winsome way? Some
evil besets thee. Tell thy servant that
he may send it from thee. A thousand
leagues distant. I knew that thou
vert unhappy. 1 knew, and 10 l am
here Yes, he was present, and very
much st home, too; though | would as
soon expected 10 see the Sphinx In a
front pew at st. Slmon's rs Eli EHendi,
pufflng his narghile among my scant
Denates. During my official connec-
lion with the international Court OF
Egypt had net him In singular fash
ION and rendered service to him. 1t
lad happened in this wise.
One evening ! was sailing on the Red
Sea In 3 clumsy sort OF lugger, with
ewo useless natives as crew. The
waters were tumultuous, a thickening
haze obscured vision; we were making
and at utmost speed. Frantic cries
and Vesticulations from my men called
nv attention TO an object bobbing up
and down of our port bow. For all
the world it resemhled q great Chinese
idol IN its cross-legged serenity. As it
grew more distinguishable and uncanny
NV superstitious helpers would have
changed course and fed before the
wind over the waste into the approach
ing night, but would not. So they
east themselves into the bottom OF the
boat, drawing their garments over their
heads. grooming and Chanting ana
shouting "Bismallah."
On we bowled brayely. A Whit OF
most fragrant Latakia foated by me.
AS ~e gained the idol saw that IL was
"A man dressed in an EaSetrn robe, which
outspread about him and seemingly sus-
tanned him, for he rode like cork,
pufing the while on narRhile and ex-
haling vast volumes of smoke from his
mouth and nostrils. As We swept by
reached out and just caught the tassel
of the strangers fez. The cap chung
Ike the bell Of an airpump. With inf
mite difficulty 1 managed to drag It's
owner aboard and to keep my careen-
ing craft from capsizing.
aroused nv crew from dormant sa-
laams into action by a few vigorous
kicks, and, when we were favorably
nearing shore and they were actually
doing something, l turned to my pecul-
far fotsam. He was seated quite COM
fortably on the thwart, not half as wet
as Il seemed 1t should have been, and
still burning incense to the god OF med
itation.
al thank Mr.. Ralph Baine for assist.
ing me-" he said In excellent English.
''Not but that l would have gotten
along all right, but it was slow and
quite damp and my narghile needed re-
filling. BY the way, do you smoker
And from the folds Of his robe he drew
a cigar whose aroma might have thrilled
the souls Of the faithful In Calsya.
.'How do you know my name?' l
gasped. "And where were you going?
And what happened TO you?"
''I know your name," he replied, "oe-
cause have knowledge. l was going
whittier we are bound. Nothing hap
uened TO me because nothing ever hap
pens. Question not; be content that
YOU have befriended one who will pay a
thousandfold."
During my stay at Alexandria often
saw Eli Efsndi, who was supposed to
be q secret agent of the Sublime Porte,
and in many ways l received BENEFITS
and privileges which traced to his In
10 xyoa rnvotarU RI me-. and.