The National tribune., 1893-07-27


NJ 49, = throughout the entire king
-AH ~ Z dom.
RI ~ f His habitation was the MAUI
~,ET e soieum of Hadii, whose
t1E IS<GNS origin was enveloped in mys-
1TN terry, and whose name had
been lost to posterity; his men,
DRY, however, as a faithful follower ofthe Proph-
ct was venerated by all true believers. and the
odor of his sanctity was an everlasting monu-
ment to his many virtues. Many were the mirac-
ulous cures said to have been effected at his
tomb and worshipers from far and near were
wont to make pilgrimages thereto in order TO
perform their devOtions. Great numbers of
them found relief from bodily ills and many
were the gifts the good Sheik received in testi-
mony of their gratitude; the choicest of their
ioeks and fields, silks and other precious stutfs,
and many purses of gold were laid at his feet
He devoted his entire time to prayer and
meditation on the mutability of human affairs,
and his renown increased day by day.
The young dervish whom ne had taken as
pupil, and whose duty it was to feed the lamp
kept burning continually before the sacred
tomb praised Allah that it had been granted
him to serve so holy man and whenever his
duties permitted he could be found listening to
the words of wisdom and instruction that fell
from the Sheik's lips. HTS term of probation,
however, being ended, he took leave of his
master with many tears and soon after attained
great renown in one of the neighbOring cities
Now it so happened that the new dervish,
whom the Sheik took as pupil and servant, was
most indoent and good for-nothing fellow,
whose sole ambition was full stomach. and
who after serving 10 years showed no iDclina-
tiou to better his fortune as his predecessor
had done.
The Sheik, thereupon, one day addressed him
thus:
"Allah Kerim, God is great! My son, it is
useless for you TO remain longer in my service !;
you have attained all the knowledge it is in my
power TO bestow on you; 90, therefore, and
seek your fortune in the world; give you this
ass to help you on your journey, and may Allah
and his Prophet be with you and grant you
long life"
The dervisli humbly kissed the hand of his
patron, and taking the ass by the halter, led
him forth, intending to mount him as soon as
he had left the precincts of the holy place.
Alas! hardly had he gone few steps ere he
became aware that his companion was woefully
lame and decrepit, and that it would be utterly
impossible to make use of him. He therefore
procured stout cudgel from neighboring
thicket. and with many blows persuaded him
to continue the journey. Thus he drove him the
entire day, and until far i'll the night, when
suddenly the beast fell by the roadside and
expired.
"Alasl" said the dervish, "what shall now
do? If l allow this miserable ass to lie where
he has fallen, his carrion will in short time
pollute the air, and /, being stranger shall
doubtless be thrown iuto prison and bastina-
doed. will therefore dig pit and bury him
here 81 ci.G1 VTsiat-sr .stutz
He then, with much labor, dug deep hole,
threw the body in. and having covered it
decently, sat himself down on the mound to
rest from his exertion, aud commenced bewail-
ing his mournful plight.
While thus Ianenting and weeping, he noticed
body of horsenen. sufficiently mounted
and. attired, riding rapidly in bis direction,
across the plain. Their attention was at once
attracted by the dervish aud the mound on
which he sat, and upon arriving near by they
halted.
Doubtless there were two dervishes," said
one of the. horsemen to the leader of the party;
lone of them has fallen by the wsyside, and
his companion has buried him here and is
mourning his loss"
This view of the case seemed to them so prob
able and showed such devotion on the part of
the mourDer, that they dismounted, and ap-
preached the dervish, offering words of consola-
ton and sympathy, ..~
Allah be with you, and give You long life!"
said the leader, who was none other than the Ca
liph's vizier returning from hunting expedi-
ton. 1--WE see with much sorrow that you have
lost your brother. pray you, however, console
yourself and dry your tears, for, Allah be
praised, we are true believers, and will build a
mausoleum over the remains of your departed
brother, who is now. doubtless, in the arms of
the Prophet, and You shall keep watch over the
sacred relics. Be of good cheer, therefore, and
take no heed for the future"
The dervish moaned piteously for few
moments and then looking up, with tears
streaming down his face, replied: ALLAH is
great, and his goodness is beyond human
knowledge; yet it is a terrible aff1iction, my
lord, to lose one who has been my companion
for these many years, and who in all that time
has never given me harsh word, nor have
ever heard him speak an uItruth. Verify, he
was model of patience"
Only after much persuasion, and cheered by
the thought that BETTING honors would be
paid the deceased, was the dervish's grief
assuaged; and the party took their leave with
the assurance that their promise would be
speedily fulfilled.
In short time a splendid mausoleum was
erected over the mound; the eternal lamp was
placed before the tomb, and the devoted der
wish was installed as Sheik to keep watch over
the remains. The faithful iocksd in great
numbers to the tomb of the new saint and ere
long it had become the most renowned mauso-
leum in the land.
The wisdom, knowledge and piety of the
Sheik were extolled above all others and many
wonderful cures were performed. The blind
were made to see, the deaf to hear and the
lame to walk, and in a short time the old Sheik,
his former master, found that the rising glory
and that the number of worshipers at his
shrine was rapidly diminishing. He therefore
resolved to visit the new Sheik, with the hope
of acquiring some of the wisdom of which he
had heard so much.
The journey was for him a long and weary
one yet he was sustained by faith and atlength
arrived at the mausoleum. Who can, however
describe his amazement when he entered and
recognized, in the occupant his former servant
and pupil, whomhe had turned away in despair
at his ignorance.
The recognition was mutual, yet neither
gave any sign, and the young Sheik began to
hope that age had so impaired his former
NJ aster's faculties, that he would not remember
him. He therefore gave him the musasir,"
or sign of salutation, and for several days they
performed their devotions jointly at the holy
tomb.
One evening. however, they were sitting
alone, the old Sheik bent his head TO the others
ear, and whispering, said: May Allah grant
you long life! Tell me, pray you, by what
Of fort hIaA To