Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-21

as the pilgrims far and wide saw the deeds
OF their friends they fastened to purchase
bit of heaven before it should all be sold
One day when there seemed to be a lulI in
the trade and Abdullah sat long in the real
estate office a stranger entered and asked
If he could purchase a deed of hades.
The shrewd Abdullah, with an eye to
business, Immediately replied in the affirm
alive, and though wondering why any one
should desire to own part of the place Of
eternal fire asked how large a tract of
land was desired. The stranger said that
real estate there should be cheap yet II
deed for all Of hades could be given him
he would willingly pay liras-all the
money he possessed-for It.
I Abdullah agreed to the proposition and
hastily recording the transaction gave the
stranger a paper duly signed and sealed
and conveying to him the entire region
known as Hades.
The stranger left the ONCE of the
heavenly real estate magnate, and with
the paper in his hand waited upon the
slope of the hill upon which the village
stands for a party of approaching pilgrims.
''Whither?" he asked after the customary
salutations had been exchanged.
ITO the house of the priest Abdullah,"
was the reply.
ITO purchase for us a place in paradise"
was the answer.
Allah forbid" calculated the stranger.
| "It is no longer necessary"
The pilgrims paused to gaze with con-
tempt upon one who would venture TO
dispute the authority of the pious Abdullah,
| and giving vent to their feelings In words
started up the hill.
"It is no longer necessary repeated the
| stranger, holding out the deed OF Hades so
that the impressive seal was visible.
The seal. for 1t was surely that Of the
priest, caught their attention, and again
they paused.
What is that?" they asked.
The stranger briefly explained that but
moment before he had purchased all OF
Hades, and that he should reserve IT for
himself alone. From that time forth every
Moslem, whether faithful or unfaithful.
must go to paradise. for Hades was his,
DOubters COMPOUNDED.
The amazed pilgrims gazed blankly at
I one another and then at the deed which
the speaker held before them. One took
1t. looked at it and then at the back Of the
paper. Neither he nor any Of the party
could read, yet they pressed about IT, each
look II anu manly Win uouul sun upOh
their faces handed II back.
Il will read 1t to YOU" said the stranger,
and as he read doubt began to disappear.
"Wallah wa billah!" calculated one when
the reading was finished. HE speaks the
| truth"
He truly does" said another, and the
party looked with compassion upon the
man who had foolishly purchased Hades.
and who alone would suffer its eternal
| tortures.
Truly It is no longer necessary to pur-
chase a deed of Abdullah." finally said one
OF the pilgrims. fondly caresslng the coin
which had been destined for the priests
| treasury, and as the truth gradually
dawned upon the others they climbed the
hill, not to Abdullahs house. but to the
han for repose
Abdullah sat alone in his ONCE. Trade
seemed dull that day. and finally between
the sips OF eoffee and the puffs Of smoke
he reflected that since he had sold the deed
OF Hades no customers had come.
The hours OF tho day wore on and still
he waS alone. Finally the sun set. and polk
/ ing his feet into his heavy shoes he went
/ TO the han for his usual evening smoke.
There the pilgrims were collected In num-
| bers as great as ever, and as he saw them
/ he maTvelled that business had been 50
/ duh They seemed 10 be talking exeltedly
10 one another. and straining his ears 20