The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-28
THE PERI IN PARADISE.
An Oriental Legend Edited and
TrensCr. bed.
From the Cincinrati Enquirer.


From the Cincinnati Enquirer
When the Peri at last gained admission
into Paradise she gave vent to her rapture
in the cry which we all rem ember so we'll:
joy, joy forever, my task is DONE" And
the world, which has always read md
quoted her story with great sympathy, has
| had infinite pleasure IN believing that in
virtue Of her faithful and self-sacrIticing
efforts she was in fact happy to all eternity.
All! was she9 There is an oriental le-
gend which tells a different story. II Is
as follows:
One morning after the Peri had been
some time In Paradise, and very early in
the morning, too, when all the blessed we're
enjoying happy and untroubled slumber,
the Saint, who was himself nOdding, was
aroused by slight tapping. he arose and
went TO his wicket, bus to his surprise there
was not a soul there. The tapping was re-
peated; he turned about, and behold the
timid alarum was being beaten upon the
inner door. Obviously it could only come
from an inmate-and this was another re-
markable Circumstance, for inmates once
admitted, do not trouble the good saint
more.
OF course we all knew who was knock
ing. IL was Peri.
The Saint welcomed her kindly, and babe
her sit down, Pray" be said, "have no
fear that you disturb me-
He thought the hour unreasonable, but
let that pass
"You are wellF he sad, smiling be-
nignly. II hope you find yourself very
happy"
'Ah, father. " she said, how can tell you
Of my troubleP'
Trouble. The ill-omened word had never
been pronounced in the Saints hearing by
an inmate before
"My daughter" be said, ''is it possible
that the unusual privileges granted to you
should really have turned out insufficient to
secure your eternal blessednessP
The Peri put a corner Of her robe to her
eye.
ALAS" said the Saint, this shows that
we were wrong to admit you. Your nature
was not immortal. You we're only a spirit. u
That was it." said the Peri, with little
sob. But that was not 1t altogether.
Take your time and distinguish more
explicitly said the Saint encouragingly.
Il am alone in paradise" said the Peri.
"Bless mel" said the Saint, frowning
81 mean,p said the PERI, my feelings are
solitary" And she sobbed again.
IL am sure l shall understand when you
are a little more clear. " said the Saint, with
another pat on her shoulder.
"You see" said the Peri, "the other
women"
The Saint sat upright.
Goodness mercy" no exclaimed. "Do
you mean to tell me that you are ILL
treateda Do they look down upon you be-
cause you were not a mortal like themselvesG
My poor child, had no idea of this. 1t
shall be attended to at once. No wonder
you came to me at this hour-it was quite
proper OF you 60 do so, OF course, not a
word to any one else, but l promise you
80, no, nor cried the Peri, in distress
~ am making myself terribly msunder-
stood. Everybody is most kind and consid-
erate-I find myself even a person Of some
little note, for every one has heard Of me.
But l was not a mortal-that is Just the
difficulty, and o, please, want to 20 and
be mortal"
"You want TO 90 and be what" said the
Saint
II want to go out and be mortal"
The saint gRsped. "This," he said. sis
nparaleled-unprecede l can only
say that | am utterly at a loss to understand
you"
Naturally, naturally" said the Peri,
with a sad little gesture. ~ doubt whether
l can make you understand. And yet if
you lived among the other women, as l do,
you would see 30 readily why | am loaely
with loneliness that is indescritable."
"And why" said the Saint.
because have never been in love- said
the Peri
Tut, tut >" said the Saint. az see it all
now, my dear child. You need not be
sensitive. Suppose you have not been in
love. You are not the only one. o, dear,
non
Il am the only onel" cried the Peri, with
exceeding intensity OF conviction. There
is not another woman in all the abodes Of
the blest who has no memory of an earthly
passion. Little do you know what you are
Al -
they pass in talking of their happiness in
the life below, of their dear ones there, Of
their husbands, their babies, their lovers,
They recall the words that were spoken, the
long days passed in mutual delights, the
sweet recollection of an affection that has
proved eternal Even when their dear ones
are here with them. and have not cen left
behind 1t is just the same. O, mortal love,
mortal love, what are you, what are you
that even here in paradise You can still be
remembered-aud make me unhappy
The Saint could find nothing to say but to
remark meekly: such conversation is
against the rules, l know, my dear. but
there Is no way TO prevent it."
"Why should it be prevented" cried the
Peri, her eyes shining eagerly and rather
wildly, 81 was a woman, but | was not a
mortal, and knew nothing of love. 0,
let me go TO earth learn-learn how to be
happy IN paradise"
Food recollections," said the Saint, mus
lngly. al believe they do make up share
of the happiness that many enjoy even
here-but--"
But without them am alone. friend
less, without a soul TO sympathize with me
or rather unable to sympathize with one
soul Of all the spirits of menr
II am very sorry" said the Saint "but
you know, my daughter, that you are ask
ing the impossible"
why 50, why 500" cried the Peri
'For one thing" said the Saint, little
confused, your request, though doubtless
made in all innocence, my child, is never
theless a singular one. If you were to be-
come MORTAL"
YES, said the Peri.
And go back to earth for the purpose
you designate--n
Yes, yes" said the Peri
'Hou might" said the Saint, trying to
choose his words, you might be unable,
you know, TOTO return to us"
The Peri knitted her brows.
But" she said. chow did the others get
in2'