Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22

of marvellous moonlight ride elephant over
half Wales. Twinges of conscience assailed at
times; but they were laid to rest forever about
Christmastide, when going through a small town in
the Midlands, l was met, in passing cottage
hospital on its environs, by glad cry:
The very man want! I've got poor soul in
here who won't die. He ought really to have been
at peace two days ago; but he goes on and on. You
see he an Indian or something, and we can't speak
the lingo You can, l expect"
l followed the doctor, with whom | had slight
acquaintance. into the ward with a forebodng at
my heart. l knew it was old Mahadeo, and that in
deed he wanted me. And it He lay tucked
up between clean sheets an English bed, with two
English hospital nurses fadding about him; speech
less gaspng, at the very point and spit of death;
yet waiting waiting
l knew what he wanted and without a word his
dark eyes following in dim gladness, | threw
back the clothes and got firm grip of the sheet at
his head He should at least die as Hindu should
die. Now, DOCTOR. said, if you'll take the feet
we shall let him find freedom outside
a nurse started forward. But the case is pneu-
monia-double pneumonia
The doctor hesltated-they always in the
hands of the nurses.
Look here. Jones'' cried sharply This man
doesn't want clinical thermometers and draw sheets
and caps. He wants freedom He wants to die as
his religion tells him he must die, Mother Earth;
aye even if her bosom is white with snowr'
And it was. for it was Christmastide.
So we lifted him out. the doctor and I, and laid
him down on Heavens white quilt He Just rolled
over, face down, into the cool pillow.
Ram, Ram-Sita Ram!' l whispered, kneeling
DeS1de MIN 10 give the last dying Dened1Ct1On OF his
race. Such a quaint one! Only the name of what
to it is super1nan and superwoman,-a last appeal
to the higher instincts of humanity.
There one little sob. | thought | heard the
beginning of the old refrain, The wisdom of our
Lord Ganesh-" Then he had found freedom
YOU seem to know their ways SIR said horsv
looking who had in with us and
evidently had something to do With the show. so
if YOU could give clip with this pore felars
beast, I'd be obliged Hasn't touched food this ten
a Yer he tool and
elephant, sir. is a dead loss to a show. The master
lef' i'm here with me; but I'm bowed if l can do
nothing with him."
l found Ganesh happier than his master; for no
place being large enough for him. he lay in the open;
but they had stretched tarpaulin over him like
rick cover, protection.
A glance told me he far gone though he lay
crouched not prone his trunk marvellous agent
for good or ill-stretched out before him beyond
shelter into the snow.
AS | came up to him, | fancied saw a flicker in
his eves-those eyes small, full of wisdoml
Then | laid in front of him the old mans turban
ragged, worn, which had begged of the prim nurses
In second the whole huge inert mass of flesh be-
instinct with life. He rose to his feet with
incredible sWitness, and softly encircling the old
ragged pugree raised it gently and placed it in the
masters seat. For moment / doubted what
would come next but the instinct which is held in
leviathans small brain is great. He knew by some
mysterious art that the master dead; that the
human mind which had been his guide was gone
He took step forward, threw up his trunk
and the echoes of the surrounding houses cracked
with the roaring below of his trumpet as he swaved
sidewise and fell dead.
That all the little SNUG provincial English town
ever knew Of The Wisdom of our Lord Ganesh."