Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-10-07
ONE ASTROLOGER
WHO KNEW,
TVHE struggle was over; the last
Spark of rebellion crushed out and

NlE StfUGgle was over; lhe iasl
spark of rebellion crushed out and
~ the ancient city of Delhi, the glory
of the Mogul race, was again in the
hands of the English. What time it
had been, that summer of 81!
The war over, my former regiment no
longer existing, and. having realized
quite Il modest little fortune as my
share Of the fruits of the great Delhi
prize auctions, determined to give up
the service and return to England.
therefore sold my commission, but,
the season of the rains approaching, l
resolved to remain in Delhi Till they
| should be over. My syce, or native SER
want, who had faithfully served me
throughout the campaign, l retained
as Il valet.
His name was Nicer Alec and he was
a splendid example of the hill tribe
men, standing about 6 feet 3 inches.
| Withal, he was as intelligent as he was
| handsome.
| was seated one day in the veranda
of my bungalow, thoughtfully survey
ing slowly-hcaling saber cut upon my
left wrist, when Nicer Alec entered the
room and, pausing in the doorway,
made me profound salaam.
lie stepped close to my chair and ex-
tending small object, said, "Will the
sahib look al this?'
took the thing in my hand. 1t was
a little image of dusky yellow metal.
ana very heavy. | recognized it as
statue of Gautama, the incarnation of
Buddha, and from its weight at once
perceived that it was made of gold.
where did you get this, Nicer Alee?"
| asked.
lie rolled up his fine eyes till nothing
but the whites of them cleaned forth
between the dusky lids. Then he said,
Il found it in the Ram-Bagh."
The sacred garden" the Ram Bagh,
which my servant spoke of, was lit
tie, wild tract Of land surrounding a
ruined mosque not far distant from the
outside of the city walls. 1t was a
place where no living creature ever
went save maybe some wretched fakir
| seeking shelter in the crumbling tom
| pie.
What were YOU doing in the Ram
Bagh?' | asked.
! Il will tell sahib everything" an
swercd the sycc, squattng in Eastern
| fashion at my feet with the little i'm
age in his lap. Three days ago came
| hither an astrologer, begging for aims
l brought him in and gave him food
! and drink tn,-ntI,t,. ,,.;, =,
'Then he said unto me, 'Bhai-Bund
YOU are the first who this day has
given me charity. May silva bless
your caste. | cannot live much longer:
| will tell thee Il secret in return for thy
goodness which is written in no book
and known only to him that can divine
the unseen.
Know ye the Ram-Baghw said he
to me. Despise not what | tell you,
but take spade and dig deep and you
shall find there treasures untold. For
l am grown old and it is no use to
me-
so | went forth into the RAM Bagh
with spade. and dug down into the
earth, but discovered nothing. | was
not disheartened. This morning | once
more went into the Ram Baeh and dug
again the same place and found this"
said he, holding up the little golden i'm
age.
The Ram-Bagh stood among the ruins
of Ferozabad, the ancient city of Delhi.
and was just the spot to prove a vast
earthly Golfer
The land was all crown property.
but the commissioner or government
agent chanced to be personal friend
of mine, and I had small doubt of be.
ing able to obtain permission to dig
for treasure by applying to him.
went that same afternoon to a we'll.
known money changer and goldsmith
in the Chandree Chouk, and, placing
the image in his hands, requested him
to test it. He took it, stroked it over,
and said "No need to test 1t. The
thing is pure gold"
went next TO see my friend the
commissioner, and found him seated
in his office sucking iced brandy-paw-
nee through a straw.
Il have come to ask a favor" said /,
dropping into an inviting canvas chair,
which at once folded up under me and
| landed me on the floor.
ITO ask favor, eh?' he exclaimed,
laughing at my mishap. "Most of my
| friends visit me for that purpose | be
| gin rather to suspect that my appar.
ent popularity in the station is due to
| my capacity of obliging."
80, It is very simple affair."" said l.,
getting on my feet again. 81 merely