The Breckenridge news., 1906-07-18
GIFTS IN ABYssINIA.
omciaIs VIII Take Them II They Are
Presented In the Right Way.

omciaIs viii Take Them n They Are
Presented In the Right Way.
The agent of the British government
who visited Abysslnia some years ago
wished to return the favor of a native
official by some suitable present The
bestowal of this was, however, a mat
ter quite beyond the knowledge of one
brought up in the court circles of west
ern civilization. His experience was
instructive.
"The arrangement was badly han
died." he says, land when l arrived
several persons besides the high Off
cial were present. After a few light
topics had been discussed l mentioned
my object in making the visit, and as
no offer was made to dismiss the by
ISLANDERS l exhibited my donation.
"In an instant l was aware that
had made false step. A frown Of
mingled surprise and Indignation
clouded the hitherto serene brow, and
tones of fathomless integrity declined
the proffered gift, while strong inward
feeling found vent in a rocking motion
of his body.
"'You have utterly misunderstood
me- said he. The friendliness which
have shown you has been extended
solely with pure motives Of kindness to
the stranger In the land. Devotion to
my sovereign and country is amply re-
paid by the internal consciousness Of
rectltude. Your Intentions are doubt
less good, but greater happiness will
await me from the knowledge that you
will now recognize how disinterested
my conduct has BEEN
"My Offering was firmly waved
away, and for some period his frame
continued shaken by inward emotion,
to the great edifcation of the bystand-
ers, whose eyes remained fixed on the
ground.
"It was undoubtedly very discomfit-
ing, and my apologies for so great a
mistake were profuse. l declared that
/ could not quit this abode until re-
stored calmness had given me the as
surance that his feelings had recovered
their usual serene tone. AS fortunate
ly this soon happened, l left, properly
enraged at the miserable management
which had occasioned the awkward
ness
Naturally / consulted a native au-
thority who had witnessed the trans
action and the mistake which 1 had
committed, but he was so tickled by
the circumstances that extracted
from him for some time little but
laughter. His eventual view of mat
tiers was confided in a few words:
"'Try again, but take more and have
no Witnesses
"On the next occasion l found the
governor alone, and when l opened the
subject on which my visit was found
ed his eyes twinkled, and he said:
"'From the first moment when saw
you had presentiment that we were
ordained to be great friends. l do not
know IL Europeans have these super
stitions, but with us they are general,
and we do not find them deceptive.
You may have heard-and am aware
II is generally stated of us by foreign
ers-that we are deceitful and avari-
cious. Do not believe this. All coun-
tries contain bad men, and your ex-
perience has perhaps been unfortu-
nate But we shall remain always
friends. And what are presents, after
all, bat external emblems of esteemp
"There were no difficulties on this
occasion. He was obviously much
pleased and finally said that the bless
ing of Providence would be sure to at
tend the eXertions of a man who was
stances Of others, and he was poor,
very poor Youths Companion.