The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-25
From the Strand Magazine.

Inc SIfuBBle WIS OVER lUt lbSl spark
of rebellion crushed out ana the anci-
ent city OF Delhi, the glory of the Mo-
sui race, was again in the hands of
the English. What time 1T had been,
that summer of 81!
The war was over. my former regi-
mcnt no longer existing, and, having
realized quite modest little fortune
as my share of the fruits of the great
Delhi prize auctions, | determined to
give up the service ana return to Eng
land.
i therefore sold my commission, but,
the season of the rains approaching
resolved to remain in Delhi till they
should bc over. My syce. native ser.
want, who had faithfully served me
throughout the campaign. | retained
to act as valet
His name was Nicer Alec and he was
a splendid example of the hill tribe
men, standing about 4 feet inches.
Withal. he was as intelligent as he was
handsome.
was seated one day in the veranda
Of my bungalow, thoughtfully survey
ing q slowly healing saber cut upon
my left wrist, when Nicer Alec enter
ed the room, and, pausing i'm the door
way, made a profound salaam.
He stepped close to my chair, and,
| extending a small object, said "Will
| the sahib look at ths?'
! took the thinG i'm my hand 1t was
a little image of dusky yellow metal,
| and very heavy. | recognized it as a
| statue Of Gautama the incarnation of
Budda. and from it's weight at once
| perceived that it was made of gold.
| NN Il gAt
| | asked.
He rolled mp his fine eyes till moth
| ing but the whites of them cleaned
| forth between the duslly lids, Then he
said, Il found it in the Ram Bagh."
| The "sacred garden" the Ram -Bagh,
| which my servant spoke of, was a lit
tie wild tract Of land surrounding a
ruined mosque not far distant from the
outside Of the city walls. 1t was IA place
where no living creature ever went,
save maybe some wretched fakir seek
| ing shelter i'm the crumbling temple
| What were YOU doing in the Ram
| Bagh"" asked
| u will tell Sahib everything" ans
wercd the syce, squatting in eastern
| fashion at my feet, with the little
| image in his lap. Three days ago came
hither an astrologer begging for aims.
| / brought him i'm and save him food
and drink, together with Il few pice.
Then he said unto me, Bund,
you are the first who this day has given
me charity. May Silva bless your caste.
| cannot live much longer; I will tell
| thee a secret in return for thy good
| ness which is written i'm my book and
known only 10 him that can divine the
| unseen
| "'KnOw yC the Ram Baghn said h
to me. 'Despisc 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
| ma'
so I went forth into the Ram Bag 81
with a spade, and dug down into the
| earth. but discovered nothing. | was
not disheartCncd. This morning | once
| more went out into the Ram-Bagh and
dug again in the same place and found
this said he, holding up the little
| golden image.
The Ram Bagh stood among the
ruins Of FcrO2abad. 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
CHANGED to be a personal friend of mine
and | had small doubt OF being able tC
obtain permission to dig for treasure by
applying to him.
| ! went that same afternoon to a we'll
known money charger and goldsmith
in the ChandreC ChOuk, and, placing
the image In his hands, requested hin
to test it. lie took it, strokcd IT over
weighed ii and said: mo need to tes
it. The thing is pure gold"
| | went next to SEQ my friend tn,
commissioner, and found him seated
in his office sucking iced brandy-paw,
noc through a straw.
" have come to ask n favor" said /
dropping into an inviting canvas chair
which at once folded up under m,
and landed me on the floor.
"To ask favor, eh?' ne exclaimed
laughing at my mishap. Most of my
friends visit me for that purpose.
begin rather to suspect that my APP
parent popularity in the station is du,
To my capacity of obliging."
20, it is a very simple affair."" said |
getting on my feet again. 81 merel!
want your permission to go digging
he stared az me-"on the Ram Bagh, >
I added.
| What the deuce can You want to G,
digging in that weedy, snake haunted
place fOr?" said he, screwing a gold
trimmed glass into his eye, to view m,
more attentiVely Going to seek fo
treasure, eh?"
| "Why," l ansWcred, Il little takeI
aback, and wondering whether, aftel
all, the astrOloger's secret might no
be known TO him, TO tell you thi
truth, you nave exactly hit IT,"
Il wouldn't give YOU the value of
paper dollar for all you're likely t,
find. My dear fellow, dig over tn
whole place if you like. You will b.
doing a great service by clearing it o
weeds. But what has put the motion
of seeking for treasure in Ram Bagf
into your head?"
We'll" | answered, feigning reluc
tanca to admit a little superstitiou'
weakness, IAN astrologer called at m,
bungalow few days ago, hegginf
aims, and out of gratitude for charity
bestowed upon him, he said that If
should dig i'm the Ram BaPh, HEAVIER
would reward my goodness
MY poor. deluded friend" he cried
laughing, you won't find anything
But if you happen to discover an oil
coin or two, or bit Of antique pottery
why don't you tell anybody about it,
"One thing more to crown the obliga'
tion, to prevent being interfered will
during my explorations, will you Civ,
me a written permit TO dig up tht
Ram Bagh?"
lie took a sheet of officially headed
paper, scrawled a few lines upon i
to the effect that I was at liberty tC