Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1895-03-14

keepers; but Ibrahim went unpaid, boz
cause, though he did not know 1t, the
stranger was waiting until he could
communicate with his consul.
1t was beginning TO grow cooler.
After long rest in his favorite resort
Ibrahim felt refreshed, and strolled
cheerfully back, receiving greetings
from the neighbors MS he went. "To
tend the sick and stranger is to do the
will Of Allah" said they, npprovingly;
and their praises were grateful. to his
ears.
There was little else to reward him.
His patientw1s not one who had learned
much from life in the lessons Of unself-
ishness and self-control. But even on
him 1t beganc gradually to dawn that
this oriental patience and courtesy was
something surprising and beyond any
thing that he had a right to expect.
"Ibrahim," he asked few days
later, when you prayrwhat do you
say?". W.
The old man flushed. 81 speak with
Allah, howadji," he answered with
simple dignity. r. F."
"Oh, sec .herel know you don't
like to talk about your faith to un-
believers; but I'm not meaning to be
impertnent. | really would like to
know very much,
The old man bowed his head. y
81 say many things, howadji, and diff
ferent things at different hours I re-
cite the names of Allah, and always
repeat Ei Eatiha." And in low voice
he recited:
"In the name Of Allah. tho Merclful and
Gracious, Praise to- Allah, tho Lord OF all
creatures, the Mercful and Gracious, the
Prince of the Day of Judgment We. serve
thee and we pray to thee for help. Lead us In
tho right way Of those to whom thou hast
shown mercy, upon whom no wrath resteth,
and who go not astray. Amen
"H'm!" said his nearer, as the sonor-
Gus Arabic fell upon his ears "Now II
it was in New England, we would call
that pretty good sort of prayer"
And he became thoughtful.
December came in, cool and refresh
ing. The sick man began to get about
again. He was much gcntler in man
ner and showed symptoms of gratitude.
He had not been able to convince him
self of the soundness of his own views
of Ibrahim's mercenary motives. They
talked much together.
Tomorrow is o great feast in my
country" he remarked, as they sat and
summed themselves in front Of the dom
palms.
Ibrahim nodded "Yes, | remember.
1t Is the birth of Issa. We also honor
him as prophet, but not as you do,
But often; I have heard. Of him, and
sometimes the travelling people have
told me stories from your book. There
was one tale" he added, wistfully,
''that would like to hear again. We
have none like it. 1t was Of a son who
went away from his father, far off into
strange country, but he came back
The other did not speak for mo-
ment.
"The prodigal son." he said, at last.
"Yes, Iknow it. have Bible in my
bag; I'll read it to you, If you like"
Thanks, howadji," answered Ibra-
him, gratefully. "Yes, gladly would l
hear tho tale again."
|: The young man fetched volume out
of the hut, and sat down under the
shade of the palm tree. "a certain
man had two sons" he began, and he
read it through to the end. He looked
rather strange when he finished.
"What on earth made you ask for that
just nowP" he said.
"Howadji," answered the old man,
simply, ~ had son. 1t was long ago.
He left me one day, and heard of him
no more. The will of Allah be done"
"And you mean to say that you re-
member him still-that you miss him
after oil these years?"
YES truly, howadji," said the other,
In surprise. "a father does not forget
his son."
"But suppose he was no credit to his
father; suppose he had been wild and
troublesome. Wouldn't he have worn
out your patience after awhile? You
might have been glad to lose track OF
him. and 1t would have been an I'M
pleasant surprise to get him back"
NO" answered the other, patiently;
she would still be my son. Always my
heart would roam the earth seeking
him; but the dead come not back"
"They do ometimes," muttered the
young man.
He rose and walked up and down
"See here, Ibrahim, I've been pretty
near death lately. could easily pre-
tend that I'd passed over the line.
feel rather like ghost as 1t is. Now
what's the use of ghost coming back
to vex the people who thought hin
safely dead? He'd much better &c
back and keep himself out of sight
somewhere in the African forest
There's. plenty of room for ghosts II
there; and it isn't such bad place"
my son, my son." and Ibrahim rose
and leaned upon his staff. His long
white beard swept his brown breast
his white hair waved beneath his greer
turban. He was venerable and i'm
posing figure. my son, life lies be
fore you. You have gone but little
way, and, if it was not well, ye
there is time to make it right Heal
the words of an old man. Go back t.
your home, and to those who wait ant
look for you. Do good, not evil. Anc
may Allah grant you find the way o
peace"
The boy was silent a minute, and thu
sightless eyes could not see certain
mistness in the other pair. IN d.
it.. old man." he said, rather cholxily
70 back and have another tr,
NJ
ras an old man then, b.
ID one now He is regarded
tain reverence by the nativ,
He still wanders to tn,
I'd, with feeble steps, ant