New-York tribune., 1902-06-29
MENELIK AND HIS PEOPLE.
raNEs HENRyS GRANDFATHER AN
sNERS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
ABYSSINIANS.

why is It that the people Of Abyssinia are
tee when almost all the other countries IN
Africa have been conquered by Europeans"
asked James Henry CT his grandfather, as he
showed him q great colored picture OF king
Menelik Il the ruler or Abyssinia-
IT is because Abyssinia,'' replied the boys
grandfather is a sort OF African Switzerland.
The people Of Switzerland throughout all the
long and bloody wars of Europe have kept their
freedom, although they are few in number
Gbyssinia, on the east coast Of the Dark Con-
tnent as Africa has been called, consists Tor
he most part Of a high plateau, or tableiano'
about ten thousand feet above the sea And
James as you VIII find in your study Of history
the inhabitants CT mountains are good nghters
and love liberty
But this King MeneIik.'' said James, as he
looked again al the picture, does not appear a.
# he could stop a European army ne iooh6
IS he could fight with bow and AFRO" "44
night. but would not know how to handle a gun
SET. grandpa. he has coarse features like those
black wild men you see in the circus
He is much wiser than he looks" was the
answer When the Italians sent army,
Meaeik at the head Of some well trained To"t0'
defeated them with wonderful bravery -AIlo IL
some Of the churches OF Abyssinla- II you e'e
happen 10 90 there, you VIII ind rude pall11i-57
pic.urug the great triumph Of the AbyssInlan
king"
Have the AFvssinians churches, the same aS
We Americans have? Or DO you mean pace
temules?v asked James. " no was now thorough
y interested IN King Menelik and his people
NY hoy" said the grandfather, many cell-
-r-as baforA vo71r forefathers knew who CHRIST
was and were still roaming through the IoIt91S
Of England and Germany, or sailing up ana 90" Il
The coasts of Northern Europe as pirates 'le
u4orla or Ahyssinia had been converted 10 'l1e
Christian religion. and had churches OF Iile-1
own 7 was as long ago as the year 5'''' th'1'
Two voung Christians by the names OF f'u
menttus and Edesius, landed IN Abysslhla anu
became such favorites Of the King ana ~teeN
that they were permitted to teach the su0je0'S
al about Christ and his doctrines
But are these Abyssinians good CHRISTIANS
asked lanes Fer I should think Il theE "e10
We would have more TO do with tneih-
They have been SO cut off from the rest Oh
the world, and We're at one time trea'e0 ~
cruelty by the Mahometans, said MS sraiN
father, that they have not had the ciianN
study and 10 learn as We have 1heh liz
mate is tropical, for Abysslnls Is Oee"
equator and the tropic Of Cancer, WneFe lNe '
Is exactly o7er their heads in the summer 'iii-e
and the people in hot countries GO H'N
Eorking very hard
Don't the Abyssinians have any savage Gus
TONS at aIi?" asked the boy. with astonlshiiiei
as ne again looked at the somewhat savage Ia0e
of the King.
Yes. good many cruel practices stu remain
in the country in spite Of its ChrlsuahLlS' an
King MeneIik tried TO abolish them Z VI
ample, there are no prisons in Abysslnia II .
man steals once. he is whipped; II ne s'e"-7
again his hand IS cut off; and If a thiro tIliie
they cut of his foot A murderer -
ever 10 the parents relatives OF ms Nio'iiN -
be tortured to DEATH -
We'll" sad James after lohe pauST
think I had rather live in New forh man an -
Abyssinia, but / would like 10 see 'his hiN7
Geneiks