The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-24


]. and what does he want with mee''
Sahio.' he replied excitediy, he is an
uexa.ted parsonage Mool;ah Adam IS the
Shah's head dwarf. There has been an
accident. Sahih." he added. "a knife
sarcsi, | believe" he whispered in my
ear
put my instrument, case in nv pocket
and hurried TO the fouse OF Mooliah ADAM
The pace was in very good repair. and
signs Of ease and even asYsuence were not
wanting. A hnlktng fellow with a silver
glrdle acted a. doorkeeper He Informed
me that my servants had better remain
without. as ne had been instructed TO con-
duct me TO the anderun. or women's apart
ments- / followed him down a long OBJ
scure passage until We reached a heavy
canvas curtain
As he tapped upon the doorpost a corner
OF the curtain was raised by a tiny hand
that looked Ike an anatomical specimen.
and at single step entered into Pigmy
Land
May 1t please your excellency to fol-
low me-" sad a small child. in strange.
crcaking voice. 1t was q very exsraordi-
nary voice for q child. and when looked
at her face. which she did not attempt to
conceal. although a veil was thrown over
her head, l saw that my conductress was
no child. but an aged negress without a
tooth in her head. her grixxisd locks OF a
snowy Wilderness. and she was only three
feet high. She had the usual ioquacity OF
her race.
Eve shouldn't have sent for YOU at all.
Doctor Sahib. for, thank heaven, we are
all good Mussuimans here: but It's a case
OF emergency"
III was rather huge courtyard through
which We were passing. There was a
great tank in the center, in which a foun-
tain played. The place was as c.ean as
new pin. There were many orange trees
In the dark green foliage OF which gls
tened the yellow fruit OF last year, and the
air was heavy with the odor of nsroli,
from the numerous tufts of white orange
biossons. for IL was spring time.
Don't be afraid" whispered my guide
as l entered the room. Keep your
courage up
l saw crowd OF persons in the great
recess at the head OF the apartment, and
at the top of the right-hand corner of the
Dig room sat ridiculously little figure
He motioned me to enter with a conde-
seending gesture.
Come forward, unbeievlng hakim."
said the mannikin. With q wave OF his
hand. Come nearer, we permit yop to
be seated"
This was evidently the master OF The
house. and L was plain that he consid-
cred himself very exalted parsonage IN
mere than twenty inches from the ground
upon which he sauatted: the body was the
size OF a young infants, and was sur
mounted by the fui,-sized head OF a very
aged man; the long beard was dysd a
bright chestnu. color by means of henna
but the roots showed that the natural
coior OF the hair was white; the eyes
though red with recent weeping, spanked
like Goals of fire. and the little attenuated
hands shook with excitement The head
was covered by an immense turban OF
white muslin. which was certainly larger
than the entire trunk Of the little figure.
Doctor Sahib." said the dwarf, with a
bow. as Soon as l had decorously seated
myself at respectful distance, you are
the Galenus of the age: Pocrat CHlppo-
sratesl was fool 10 you; Abou SIENNA
himself wasn't ut to dust your boots; and
the great Locman would haze been glad
10 have become your disciple"
All this was ratified off in the very
choicest Partisan, and. as Is the custom
among c0art-ers and learned men, the
phrases were freely interlarded with Arab
ic words. And then the little figure
cleared his throat and went on with his
harangue.
1T Is probably unnecessary TO inform
you that you are In the presence OF the
celebrated Mooliah Adam. the councillor,
friend and chosen companion Of the king
Of kings himself. Do your best, then. o
man: call ell your skill 10 your aid; save
our sons life and you shall not go unre-
warded. There is your patient" said the
dwarf. pointing 70 the recess For the
present you are dismissed" he added, with
4 wave OF his hand.
I rose at once and did as was directed
The little crowd Of tiny people made way
fer me. and a. they did Sd noticed with
establishment that they We're all, without
exception, dwarfs. Upon siken mat
fress lay the patient: he was ghastly pale
from loss Of blood. and was evidently
frightened nearly out OF his wits. dim
inutive female. her little face raddled with
paint--as Is the custom among Persian la
dies OF the upper classes--was bathing the
sick dwarrs forehead AS her tiny arms
moved the golden bangles and bracelets
with which they were covered ratified with
O loud noise.
"Ashez on my head, o unbeiiever." she
said in shr!ll voice. Il am his wretched
mother. Heva Khanum Ghe Lady Eve).
Oh Sahib." she went on. and her flowing
tears washed great channels In her little
painted face, save the life OF my favor
tie son, the unfortunate Habyl"
/ bowed 10 the lady and proceeded to
examine the patient. There was little
stab upon the victims ehest-the inten-
ton had been good. but the knife had
simply q deep flesh wound. j applied the
necessary dressings and promised that
would send a composing draugst. which
should be taken at sunset
Shall I der. said the little Habyi. I'm
a hoarse whisper Don't be afraid 10 tell
me the truth, unbeliever. ] think l should
prefer TO die, for her dear sake"
IF you will only keep quiet and take
your medicine regularly. please God. there
Is no doub, Of your rapid recovery" said
l.
had no sooner said the words than the
Lady Heva seized my hand and covered il
with kisses. but q warning cough from
the master Of the house suddenly caused
her TO moderate her transports.
And then they all talked ut once. and
their voices sounded exactly like the bab-
bic OF an infant school
II should wish TO speak to the inftdel
physician again." said the master OF the
house. Ia a commanding treble.
/ rose from the bed % the wounded
dwarf and advanced toward his father.
pray be seated said he, cour,eous,v.
and listen to the terrible story am about
10 unfold 20 YOU HE majesty. may mis-
shadow never grow lesS was the other