Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-07-18

All AND rAk PIC.
How the latter Became an Unclean Bcast
to All Mohantnedans.

TO All mohan,tne dams.
You hayc read stories OF heroic boys
and girls Of all nations Here is one
about Mohammed;m boy, little Turk.
just as it was told 10y an old Turkish
veteran
Many weary hours had the Prophet
MOhammed journeyed while running
away from his own town and people. The
sun was high in the heavens, and the
prophet felt sorely the need of rest, There
was no one to keep watch for him, how
ever, and he feared to sleep lest his enc
mics should overtake him. Sorely dis
tressed in mind lie went on thus, when
he met little boy whose face was like
the full moon ana whose eyes shone like
stars.
"Who art thou, o sun of thy fathers
hearth asked the messenger of Allah.
81 am Ali, son of the sheikh, an
swered the boy in voice as sweet as
the music of flute.
"How many happy summers have
been blessed by shining on thee?"
eleven years of my life have passed,
o worthy stranger.
''Dost know the rites of hospitality?'
''My life before my guests. "
"E'en So Listen, then, my son. am
weary and fain would rest. Two hours
of sleep would save my body and soul
from parting. Wilt thou, then, watch
while l crawl into yonder cavey AT the
first sign of approaching men warn me,
and many blessings will be upon thee.
'On my head the penalty, " answered
little Ali, bowling. The prophet was just
turning toward tho cave when he re-
marked that Ali had with him beau
tiful little pig,
"Who il this?" asked he
'"This is even MY most cherished
3ompalion, answered Ali. "A little
pig. Tho wonder of the world. My best
friend.
Satisfied with this, Mohammed went
into TIE cave and was soon asleep.
Meanwhile httle Ali played with his
pig and kept "a sharp lookout. Every
time, however, that he let the pig loose
it would run to the cave. Even while
in Ais hands it would strain toward
the sacred spot. After little while Ali
relaxed his attention somewhat Sud
lenly he was surprised by seeing a
3rowd Of fierce visaged men surround
aim.
"Hast seen such and such a man pass
here?" cried out one Of the men.
Ali remained silent, holding the pig
as hard as he could.
Come, boy, hast seen the man we
are looking for?"
Ali would not utter a lie, but the
laws of hospitality eclipsed all others,
and SO he just shook his head. But the
pig was now tugging toward the cave
harder and harder. Rendered desperate
by this, Ali caught it around the neck
and choked it. Meanwhile the men
talked together.
"He Is dumb" concluded they and
began to question him by signs. But
Ali still shook his head and choked the
pig. So at last they became disgusted
and rode off.
No sooner were they ont of sight than
Ali released his pig. Alas, the animal
was dead Loudly weeping at his mis-
fortune, he then ran and awakened the
prophet and told him all that had tran
spired
BLESSED be thou, Ali, forever" ex-
claimed the prophet, "and as for the
pig, which would have betrayed me,
cursed be the animal forever and un-
clean shall il be 10 my followers. AS
for thee, be happy, for the blessing Of
Allah is upon thee, and thou shalt be
great ON earth and happy in heaven.
So saying, he kissed him on the brow
aud went his way.
True enough, Ali became one Of the
greatest leaders in the Mohammedan In.
yasion which followed. and no died
honored and respected and sits with
Mohammed In paradise.
Aud the pig is an aooursed animal
aud unolean 10 all believers Now York
Recorder.