Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08

through them without losing time or temper is
an achievement.
have suggested that one Of the chief values
Of guide is to serve interpreter. But there
Is another and a very valuable service that-he
may render and for the sake Of which indeed
he may proftaby be engaged That is to keep
other guides away, to serve buffer, as rejecter
of services to say "emshe" in effective man
ner. He does not have to act or indeed 10
speak His presence is warning enough. The
freemasonry of the dragoman craft in Egypt
prohibits direct competition. 1t would almost
nay the tourist in Egypt to hire a bodyguard,
whether qualified as guide not, to shoe OF
the importuners, dragomen, statesmen and other
pests.
The tale is told in Cairo of tourist who.
after day of unpleasant experience with
the nuisances of the sidewalk that stretches in
front of Shepheard'S and couple OF blocks on
either side always hired a cab to carry him
over that span of street, ensuring him security
from the clamorous hordeS.
One man in particular in the neighborhood
of our hotel was pestilential in his persistence.
His name, he told me on first encounter, was
Moses. He was easily the best guide in Egypt
He knew everything, could go everywhere, was
very very cheap in his prices, could make the
best bargains in the shops, could make me hap
pier than any other guide in the land. Yet,
with all these qualifications, denied myself
the privilege and the advantage of his services.
l.
assured me that my trip to Cairo, or elsewhere
in Egypt would be fiat and total failure If I
did not hire him. Again told him that was
not taking any, thank you. Again he said that
his name was Moses and that he was the best
of all dragomen. Then I finally and firmly
told him that / did not like him and would
not engage him If did want guide. This
seemed to surprise him. He started again to
tell me that his name Moses, when mem
toned the fact that a policeman on the corner
across the street seemed to be interested in our
conversation and Moses vanished swiftly. But
he was at it the day following, and think that
in the course of week held four similar con-
ferences with him. all to the same effect and
conclusion.
THEN there was the fellow who sought to
win me by starting out with the assurance
that he was really not guide at all, but one
who wanted to be my friend because he wanted
me to have a good time in Cairo. ST am not a
guide" he would say, walking swiftly alongside
of me as I fastened along "but am just here
to show you the way" THANK you, but
know the way" was my rejonder which should
have closed the incident, but there was more
of the same sort for block or two
1 met chap afternoon who would
have been elected to the post of personal drago-
man If had wanted to be so served. saw
him only for moment. He was walking along
toward me in company with several other
Egyptians, rather richly clad in colored CARA
beahs. just he about to pass me he
stepped aside, halted smiled winningly, and
asked, in perfect English and in the most
charming manner: "Shan I join you and
serve ySu today?" I thanked him and told him
that was not in need of his services, and we
went our respective ways. Such a dragoman
would have been an agreeable companion.
My son and had the benefit of a guidance
extraordinary one morning when, through the
initiative of q young Washingtonian who is
member of the teaching staff Of the American
University Of Cairo, we were taken to the Gamt
FL Azhar. the great Moslem institution of learns
ComkinAed nm Tanemtn-second pane