The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-20

1 ttbaLdtiOh Oohio boCk Oi tut.
thought Whipped out my pistol and COW
cred the fellows head. He ducked, dodsed
and disappeared like magic. Disappointed
\ at his celebrity in getting out Of sight, took
aim at the clown. He, too, had an antip-
athy to such target practice and like a
| flash was of his camel and hiding among
the crowd. A thrilling pause followed as
the people, fallen silent, stared in wonder at
me, then at one another, then at the camel
standing as saturnine and stupid looking
as ever, quite unconscious of its masters
sudden desertion.
Satisfied with having frightened my mo-
testers and anxious TO prove my pacific in
tentions toward the company IN general,
returned the pistol to my.belt Seeing this,
the chopfallen story teller sneaked back
for his beast, taking care as he led it off to
keep its body between him and me- The
crowd hesitated n moment, as il uncertain
which performer to patronize; then went
trooplng after the clown in evident expecta-
tion OF further diversion elsewhere. Nv
impulse was to follow and spoil the fun;
but, remembering the discretion which is
the better part of valor, turned aside and
went in another direction.
had not gone hundred yards when I
felt gentle touch on the arm, and looking
round found at my side an elderly Arab of
'ohetaole ana Dehlguhnt aspect. As my
eyes met his he bowed with cordial grav-
ity and held out his open hand Glad to
find any one SO friendly, also bowed and
laid my open palm In his, waiting for him
tospeak.
u was in the midst of the congregation
when the jester derided thee and made the
people laugh, he began in kindly tone
Il saw thee pull out thy weapon and aim
at the fool who smote thee with his riding
stick, and trembled for thy safety for as
suredly hadst thou slain him thy own
blood had watered the ground. When the
jester skunk away and the people followed,
L FASTENED after thee to speak with thee,
and il thou be Ia need of aught | possess
know of surety it is thine If thou art a
hungered, thou shalt eat; If thou art thirsty.
thou shalt drink; if thou art weary, thou
shalt wash thy feet and rest. Said Achmet
hath himself been a wanderer and knoweth
the distress of stranger in strange landn
Greatly surprised, though thrilling with
JOY and gratitude, l replied: Il am indeed a
stranger in strange land, cast on the shore
like driftwood, to be tossed and made the
sport OF fate. But thy kindness puts new
spirit in me-"
Art thou hungry" he asked looking me
in the face
Hungry, thirsty and spent" )" answered,
NNLio Nitu ihtt MY SUI, Sulu tlc ArhD
graciously. Il would fain learn who and
what thou art and how thou camest hither,
where, | doubt II any man OF thy nation
ever set foot before, But long tales fit not
hungry belly. When thou hast eaten and
rested, peradventure thou wlttell me thy
story"
He led the way, walking by his side in
silence, for it is contrary TO Arabian eti-
quette to make a tired man answer ques-
tions. We wound for long distance
through circlng streets, then turned aside
under INC shadow of clustering palms into
small but luxuriant garden, fragrant
with flowers and musical with babbling
water. From the garden to the house was
but step.
A black slave met us as we entered. and
at word from his master brought pile of
cushions to the khawah, or reception room.
Tor me, placing them near the stove, which
is the place of honor, Then, bringing water.
he took off my shoes and washed my feet
piece Of attention that was strange, but
exceedingly refreshing.
Alter awhile came the food. This con- |
sisted OF large piece of boiled mutton, a /
kind of batter made of ground wheat and
melted butter, boiled rice, fresh dates, figs.
sour eamel's milk and coffee-real Mocha
that never by any chance comes to western
lands. The stuff that dcluded Englishmen
gulp down rs coffee an Arab menial would
not put to his lips, The truth is that the
untraNeled. Briton never secs Mocha What
passes with him as such is only the refuse
of all the plantations OF Arabia, and often
of plantations outside Arabia, gathered in
the interest of shippers, and greatly TO the
prejudice Of occidental palates and stom-
achs The pale, favorless berries sent to
western Europe and America are TO the
rich, brown, aromatic berries valued by
eastern peoples what the sour crab apple is
to the lucious nectarine, yet the swells of
London and Paris drink the muddy mix
ture served to them as coffee with symp-
toms of delight. Truly, ignorance has it's
enjoyments and consultations As for my
self, my nose never comes over cup of the
English preparation without causing me
an inward shiver of disgust.