La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1906-06-30
GIFTS IN AeYssINlA.
Oase iaI. ~ ia TAKE Th--i 81 They Are
Prr,~us~d Ia the RiShs Msy-

Presented la the Righs Nay.
Tie agent of the British government
who visited Abys>inia some years aso
wished TO return the favor Of a native
official 10y some suitable present. The
besiowal of this WAS. however, mat
ter quite beyond the knowledge II one
brought up N the court circles of west
ern civilization. His experience WAS
instructive.
The arrangement WAS lady han
died. he says. and when | arrived
several persons i..si..,s the high OIL
cial We're present. After a few light
topics had been discussed l mentioned
my object in making the visit. and as
no offer was made 10 dismiss the by
ISLANDERS exhibited my donation
"In an instant I WAS aware that l
had made a false step \ frown OF
mingled surprise and Indignation
elouded the hitherto serene brow. and
tones of fathomless integrity declined
the proffered gift. while strong inward
f.elin. found vent In a rocking motion
OF his body,
".You have utterly misunderstood
have shown you has been extended
solely with pure motives of Kindness To
The stranger Ia the land. Devotion To
my sovereign and country l. amply re-
paid 10y the Internal consciousness of
rectitu.le Your Intentions are doubt
less good. but greater happiness Will
await me from the knowledge that you
will now recognize how dlsinterested
my conduct has hseu.'
MY orerin. was firmly waved
away. and for some period his frame
continued shaken by inward emotion.
10 the great edificaiion of the bystand-
en-. Whose eyes remained fixed ON the
ground.
"It was undoubtedly very discoinfit-
ing. and my apologies for 80 great a
mistake were profuse. ! declared that
| could not quit this abode until re-
stored calmness had given me the as
surunce that his feelings had recovered
their usual serene tone. As fortunate
Iy this soon happened. left. proieri.
enragsd at the miserable management.
which had occasioned the awkward
ness.
Naturally consulted n native au
thority who had witnessed the trans
action and the mistake which ! had
committed. but he WIS 50 tickled by
the circumstances that ! extracted
from him for some time little but
laughter. His eventual view Of mat
tiers was confs,ed in Il few woris:
TRY again. hut take more and have
no Witnesses.
ION til. next occasion | found the
governor alone. aud when opened the
subject on which my visit was found
ed his eyes twinkled. and he said:
"'Trom III. first moment when ! saw
you had presentiincnt that We were
ordained 10 be great friends. do not
know II Europeans have these super
stitions. hut with us they are general.
aud we do not nnd them deceptive.
You may have heard and ] am aware
IL is generally stated of us 10y foreign
ers-that We are deceiiful and avnri-
cious. po not believe this. All coun,
tries contain bad nien. and your ex.
Ieri.nc. has perhaps been unfortu-
nate. But we shall remain always
friends Aud what are presents. after
all. but external cnblem~ Of cstecm:'
There were no difficulties ou this
poa~ion. lie was obviously much
pleased and finally said that the bless
ing of Providence would lee sure To at
tend the -Nertiuns of u man who was
thoughtful OF the sad,lened circum-
stances OF others. and he WAS poor,
very poor Youths Companion.