Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-04

night
THE ass driver was beginning to doubt him
self now. The veil of justice and light of the
Empire had condemned him also. Could it be
that he was really wronge Had he been
cheated by his own simplicity, and had the
barber been more clever than dishonest?
SUCH the reflections of the unhappy
fellow as he withdrew from the presence of
the Prince. But what would his wife say who
was waiting for him in the next village9 Surely
she would beat him. And he lamented wept,
in corner of the steps leading to the palace.
Just then beggar happened to pass that
way. On his head he had green turban
mark of holiness: his long white beard which
fell on his chest from pale and sweet face in
Dictated his responsibility, and his eyes and
manners gave one confidence. He drew near
the man, leaning on knotted staff and, squat
ting before him asked gently;
brother. Wilt thou trust me? l am Moham-
med-el-Haji'
Then the donkey driver lifted up his head
and again repeated his story, he wept, and
finally was near doubling divine justice after
having been denied the human,
"'Oh, my brother what vert thou going to
say3' interrupted the old man. coming nearer.
Go back again and see the barber; for he was
right, unhappily; but listen to me.
And in whisper he gave him good piece
of advice.
Suddenly the face of the man frightened.
He rose with haste. thanked the beggar
warmly, emptied almost his purse in his aims
box, embraced him. and returned to the town.
Soon he arrived before the public writer, who
exclaimed. as as he saw him.
'Holloa. old man! Hast thou obtained
justice?'
ALAS answered the ass driver Justice is
not to be found in this world, and the Proph-
cts precepts rarely followed. But keep
my ass for a little while am going to the
marketplace. and will soon come back
HE soon was again before the BARRIERS house.
IL The man was leaning against his door. and
"SR W Hs s thought s f Ahmed me- those sugh best
who laugh last | wait my turnI
"'Here thou art' said the barber Thou
lookest quite happy
Indeed am. answered Ahmed cheerfully
i have Just met a relative of mine who is going
to get married this very day. and my friend
and | are going to take him to his handsome
bride But tell me-thou hast just reputa-
ton in thy profession, and | would like that
thou shouldst shave us, my friend and me. We
must be worthy to be present at the festival!
How much wilt thou charge to shave us both
You are not among my customers said
the barber, neither thou that know, nor thy
friend that do not know However in COM
pensation for the bad bargain | caused thee,
am willing to shave you both for small silver
piece. though you will certainly notch my
razors.'
"A small silver piece it is great deal for
be it, it is settled And he paid the price
qured before numerous witnesses among idle
people who had gathered around them. Then
he left the place.
A short time afterward he came back. pulling
his donkey. which looked sad its
master was joyful, and. stopping before the
barber, he exclaimed
Eli, Ell Farsi, celebrated barber, time
passes! Hurry to thy work! We are waiting
to be shaved
"And thy friende' inquired the barber.
" Forsoothi here he is, my friend, my best
friend, and he drew his donkey nearer to him.
81 How is that, old ruffian? Thou wouldst
like to have thy donkey shaved by me-
That is just what say, good man. Hast
thou not promised to shave us both, my friend
and me? Well, as thou saidst in another cir
cumstance. it is settled bargain,-a regular
bargain, as said the kadi after you
They went to see the judge again in great
pomp; for all the people of the town followed
the two parties; but the judge could not say
word he laughed so much.
ITO say nothing is not judgment, and the
barber refused to comply with the request.
So they went before the Chief of the Believers.
"'Then, barber. it has been arranged that
thou wouldst shave the ass driver and his
friend for small silver piece? said the illus
trious monarch. Then the ass driver is right,
and thou art going to comply with the con-
ditions of the bargain right here before mel
He was forced to obey. From the top of the
tail to the top of the ears. the hair of Ahmed's
l. - g. xl,of