Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-15

returned. and with him came two con-
stables, one of greater rank md one of
lesser. Then did the one Of lesser rank
marshal us into line, while he who
was the superior questioned us and
wrote down our statements in book
that he had brought from the Thana,
which Is the police station. And when
all wass finished. 1t was found that the
evidence was different, and that no two
men had told the same tale; so the two
constables withdrew little distance
from us, and talked among themselves.
Listen to me, o ye rogues,' cried the
principal one, when the consultation
was finished: pay attention while |
speak. This is a grave case. How can
you expect any magistrate sahib to be
merciful when no two men give the
same evidence? and how are we to
know that you yourselves may not have
taken the missing goods? The case lies
black against you; and which of you
does not know that the English law is
mighty, and can do as it listeth with
such miscre@nts as come within its
grasp? Who has not heard how durin =
the mutiny the English blew men from
the lannon's mouth. and hung true be-
levers IN pigskins in order that they
might not inherit paradise. BE wise,
therefore. and pay heed to what I say:
for there is but one way of escape, and
through me alone may that way be
learned. Run now every man to his
house, and bring me as much money rs
you can lay your two hands ON: for |
would have you know that l stand
close to the magistrate sahib's ear, and
therefore can tighten the sentence for
each and every enc Of You who will
appease me with money offerings"
Then did we run and bring money,
each man according to his circum-
stances. And when the two constables
had divided the spoil they departed.
taking with them only the bhesti (the
water-carrier) and the chowkidlar, the
former because he was poor and had
only been able to bring S anllas, and
the latter because he had left the house
unguardod, wherefore decency de-
manded that he should be offered up to
the law.
All! it was merry time in the baZar
then. for such a case had not been
known for many years, and wa.ers ran
high as to what the sentence would
be; so that we became the laughing
stock and byword among the idlers who
congregate round the we'll that lies in
the center of the market place. Truly
the bullfrog croaks loudly in the night
season, but when the morning dawns
the hawk comes forth, and then the
song of the bullfrog suddenly ceases;
SO it is with all loud-voiced ones.
AS for our master. he lived with the
magistrate sahib. and wore the magis-
trate sahsb's clothes, having hone Of
his own. But the loss of his goods did
not weigh heavily ON his soul, for wher-
ever there was feasting or merriment
there was our sahib to be seen. Such
is the strangeness of the sahib log!
Sometimes time travels slowly and
so 1t did in our case. 1t was the night
before the day of trial. and we THAT is
to say, the other servants and MYSELF
were gathered round the grassc,lttels'
fire. wrapped in the mantle of our own
black thoughts. when suddenly a man
appeared in the circle of light. and sat
down at my right hand, and l. looking
on him. saw that it was Munnoo Lall,
the mess khansama. who was butler 10
the officers that are my sahib's friends.
Ram. Ram!' the man cried.
And the other Hindoos who We're
present took up the salutation and an
swered back. ''Sita RAM"
''Open your ears wide. oh, We men,
said MumOo Lall; 'fOr have come all
the way from the meSshouse in order to
tell you tale. and to ask you the mean
ing thereof Behold, there once lived q
king in great land. A humane ruler
was he, and also man Of great under
standing; yea, the ants in their houses
gathered not more wisdom than he.
But one day this king departed for 4
short season, leaving instructions with
his vizier and other officers to guard all
things in his absence. Now. when the
hhaotCA NaA"o "NASs S<iSA lcpdl1cA
to his own house, and did there what
he pleased. One betook himself to the
bazar to buy new coat; a second en-
tertained large party of friends, and
so on-each man according to his own
inclination. Then the king returned
and it was found that while those I'M
worthy servants had Toasted and made
merry the treasure had been left I'M
guarded and it had vanished, no man
knew where. But the king only laugh
Ell and dismissed those unworthy ser
wants. and. strange to tell. the king
laughs still. Tell me. o Girzi Khan,
what is the meaning of this tale?"
Then my heart grew uneasy within
ne. for this story was like In many
respects to our own.
II know not" l answered
''The answer to this ridlle is not far
to seek" Munnoo Lall called, rising
and gathering up his robe as if he
wouli leave us, for it lies in mine
hand. But knowledge is a pearl of
great price, and is only to be bought
with ,pnyaye