Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-31
GIFTS IN ABYss1N1A.
officials Will Take Them If They Arc
Presented in the Right Way.

officials Will Take Them if They Are
Presented in the Right Way.
Youths Companion
An agent Of the British government who
visited Abyssinia some years ago wished
to return the favor of O native official by
some suitable present. The bestowal OF
this was, however. matter quite beyond
the knowledge of one brought up IN the
court circles Of Western civilization. HIS
experience was instructive.
'1he Arrangement was badly handled,
he says, "and when ! arrived several per-
sons besides the high official were present.
After a few light topics had been discussed
I mentioned my object in making the
the visit, and as no offer was made to dis
miss the bystanders exhibited my dona-
ton.
"In an instant I was aware that ] had
made a false step. A frown Of mingled
surprise and indignation clouded the
hitherto serene brow, and tones Of fathom-
less integrity declined the proiered 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 motive of kindness TO the
stranger in the land Devotion to my
sovereign and country is amply repaid by
the internal consciousness OF rectitude
Your intentions are doubtless 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
Un Itsa I'd To hn
edification Of the bvstanders, whose eyes
remained fixed on the ground
1T was undoubtedly very discom6ting
and my apologies for so great a mistake
were profuse. / declared that ] couId not
quit his abode until restored calmness had
given me the assurance that his feelings
/ had recovered their usual serene tone.
/ As, fortunately, this soon happened. /
| left, properly enraged at the miserable
management which had occasioned the
awkwardness.
Naturally / consulted a native author
| ity, who had witnessed the transaction
and the mistake which / had committed
| that ! extracted from him for some time
| little but laughter. His eventual view
| OF matters was confided in few words
AAN dkaAAAl HuA ArAN lAlNANf anu AdNk
no witnesses.
"On the next occasion found the gov.
ernor alone, and when / opened the sub
iect on which my visit was founded his
eyes twinkled, and he said;
From the first moment when / saw
you | had presentment that we were
ordained to be great friends l do not
know II Europeans have these super
stitions but with us they are general, and
we do not find them deceptive. Yot
may have heard-and / am aware Il /.
generally stated Of us by foreigners thai
we are deceitful and avaricious. Do not
believe this; all countries contain baC
men, and your experience has perhaps
been unfortunate. But we shall remain
always friends-and what are presents
after all but external emblems Of esteem
There we're no difficulties on this occa
sion He was obviously much pleased
and finally said that the blessing OF Provi
dence would be sure to attend the exer
tions Of man who 4as thoughtful Of thu
saddened circumstahces Of others, anc
he was poor, very poor. "