Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-21

north of the famous city of Bagdad. Here,
squatting upon straw mat, which is
spread upon the floor, with a reed pen, n
bottle of ink, a dish OF sand to serve as a
blotter and an impressive seal lying at his
side, he transacts his own business. He is
the president, the board of directors, the
secretary, the treasurer, the clerk, the
porter and office boy all in one,
Looking out for Number One.
A generation ago Abdullah was a strug-
Cling Moslem priest, and like many of his
fellows, was endowed with a greater
amount Of cunning than piety. His re-
ligious duties brought him an exceedingly
small income. but an abundance of time,
which he industriously employed in de-
vising ways and means to increase his
revenue. The fact that he became the
worlds greatest monopoilst is evidence OF
bis ability.
Samarra, though far from Mecca and the
other sacred cities, is on the pilgrim route
from all northern Mesopotamia and Persia
TO the vast companies OF passing pilgrims,
as they paused on their long journey for a
days rest, Abdullah announced that he
had received a special revelation.
According to the revelation, no one, how
ever pious. however many times he had
made the pilgrimage to Mecca, not even
though he had killed a Christian In battle.
could be sure OF entering paradise unless
he possessed a title to, some of its sacred
soil. The announcement was startling. but
to the pious pilgrims IL was true beyond a
doubt; a priest had said 1t.
The news OF the revelation spread over
the desert with surprising rapidity and
crowds hocked to Abdullah to learn how
they might obtain some of the celestial
real estate. To the inqulring bands he
showed complicated maps and plans which
none could understand and then explained
that IL one would escape the flames OF
hades It was well to pray, better to make
the pilgrimage to Mecca, but the best and
surest way OF all was to purchase a title
deed to a building lot In heaven He alone
had been commissioned by Allah 20 sell II
all of the faithful who came.
Thus the monopoly started. and Abdullah
was busy from morning till night writing
the deeds. For all who came a parcel OF
paradise was selected and defined. and Its
deed was quickly prepared. sealed with an
impressive seal and delivered for the con-
sideration OF a substantial fee.
Some desired corner lot: others. less
endowed with worldly goods. were con-
tented with less conspicuous location
while those who were too poor to purchase
so large a tract of land might obtain stand
Ing room for smaller sum. Even the
bcggar could be sure OF entering paradise
II he possessed OF the heavenly soil enough
for tho resting place of a foot
Had the poorest OF the pilgrims reflected
how they might be compelled to spend all
eternity standing upon one leg. with no
place TO rest the other, Abdullah's business
would not have increased, but the monOpO-
llEt was safe; the Moslem pilgrims never
think OF thinking.
The prices charged for lot in paradise
varied exceedingly. No one could tell ex-
aetly how Abdullah regulated the charges;
that was a part Of the revelation. but to
an outside observer Il seemed that the APP
peaTance OF the customer. the amount OF
money he displayed, his eagerness to pur.
chase and other considerations known only
10 Abdullah regulated the price
For a corner lot II the customer were
wealthy, the price was never less than ive
Turkish liras (s22). but II was the duty OF
a good Moslem never 10 bar any from the
way TO paradise for the want OF q single
Ira or a few piasters. go others received
deeds exactly defining the location Of the
land. it's dimensions and boundaries, In per
feet accordance with the law. No one was
too poor 20 purchase; no one. unless the
price which he could pay was less than
the cost of the paper of the deed. went
away On disappointment
Abdullah's business rapidly increased. for