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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1934-03-29, Page 6PAGE SIX. ;,tr,_t711 THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1934. e. "My lord, replied the man on duty, ,ee Sahib Znda'h isnot here, but there is a boy who says he knows of • hint." -Was it well, Vousuf, •to turn hits eeseyi' a=ked Afeoo1 Khan. "Suppose my sin '.tel ne d of us." "Nay, but my :,,rd slept, and the Sahib /_a lah was tic. Bulwunt Rao atie - v,0111dt.1-aun1 there were no nu• .. scle;_ea:el t did. but .tell him t ,tit." stammered the than. • "X: matter --where is the boy? Op- en the wicket," said A.izool Khan lin-- paa.nay. "1-Ic ,es not consider who may b•: beh'na'said the eoidier, as lie un- ia-:enedthe ponderous iron bars and unlocked the padlock of the wickets. "and: that this may be but a device to attack the gate. But he will. always be headstrong " "I am here, Khodawuftd," said the .lad, from without,. and -squeezing himself through the opening between the wicket door and the chain which fastened• it, "Behold I am now be- fore you, valiant sir," he said to the sentinel, "whom you took to be . a thief; but I would have speech with the noble A'fzool Khan 'himself, if it he possible to have trim aroused.' "I ant he," returned the old Khan, stepping forward. "Speak on, if what there is to be told may be said before these men," for several had now arii- enn, saluted their master and were standing by hint. The 'boy touched 'the old Khan's feet reverently: "Fear not, noble sir," he said hastily, •"for the Sahib •Zadah i$ safe. He stet with no hurt, though he is in danger." "1J1-hulnd-uI-illi! - Praise the to (God," broke from the old man -ferv- ently, and Was heartily re-echoed al: around, sten -were arriving egery moment from the different portions of the court, and crowding around to hear the. news. 'til-hum.d-ul-illa1" he continued. looking tip. "I vow fate - has to thy tomb, and a new covering shall it have of the costliest cloth of gold. But go on, boy, and fear not. Is there aught for my private ear?" "Nothing. my lord --nothing. There was a fray, and-Meah Sahi'b's atten- dant or friend vas badly wounded. I want a palankeen for him; that is ill: And my son -why did he not come with thee? And who art thou?" asked the Khan. "They call me-Ashru'f, and +I am 'the sort of Peer -lfahomed Duffadar, andlleah Sahib ,could not come, be- cause,' added the lad, dropping -'his head, "lie was my father's prisoner - and—" "By. the Prophet, but this is too much!" exclaimed the 'fiery old man. "Who art thou, knave, that dares to say the son of Afzool Khan is a pris- oner to any one?" "May I be your sacrifice, .0 Khan," returned the boy, nothing daunted., though the Khan's angry speech was re-echoed by all gathered around him. "May I be your sacrifice, there is no 'harm meant to your noble song whom we all knots and honour, .He it was. who in my hearing declared that, in oder to save my father 'he would at - :end the 'K,ttwal's court; for it was bet yesterday the Kotwal swore he would have the right hand of the first brawler taken, cut off, and hung up in the market place, and that he would degrade the first officer who failed to apprehend those concerned its any riot, Be .not angry, :therefore, noble sir, for my father explained all this, - and your son goes of his Own free - My father could not• help it, you know, my lord," added 'the boy, apol- ogetically, "for a man had been wounded and there .was blond on your son's sword." - ' Ay, Jebandar Beg is likely to be a man .of his ward, too," said the Khan to those about hint, "and force will 'do no good. But it were as Well that Illy 5,A should he attended, I think. say- yon, gentlemen? So b+: tread,. some ftventy of -you, and ci'1 t'f,rth••pea,rinent the palankeen alt; • hearers ton;' for Bulwunt Rao, We could 111 spare hint, poor-fell.aw, frac among us:" "Nothing could have happened if Meat had taken some of us with him," cried several of the men at once. We all wanted to go," added Raheein (Chan, "but he bade us mind our oven business ,and tools Bulwunt Rao with him; and see what has come ,.1 ganja smoking." ":Intl lleah might have been wounded or killed," added several: "My friends, there wasneed to do. ,1. answered Aizool Khan; "a sec- ret service for the King cannot have zee+ few witnesses. As to his life, or mine, or that of any of you, do we Trot eat the salt of the King, and should our lives be grudged ? Peace, then, and hasten to get ready: the morn is fast breaking, and by day- light we should be in the saddle, Keep the boy; he mist accompany us," So saying., lte. turned back into the private court iu order to seek his daughter, who had followed him. 'Goolab had been beforehand with her, and had communicated the news in her 01;11 way, with many marvel- lous additions, while the K'lian was giving his orders to the sten, Now, therefore, on 'hearing her father's brief confirmation of Fazil's safety, all past anxiety w'a5 at once forgot- ten, and, with glistening eyes and a thankful heart, she clung to him as they entered the small court of the zenaua apartments together. Sy this time, too, Zytta's second mother, who as yet has been barely mentioned, had been aroused from her deep by the prevailing bustle; and as she habitually indulged in long re415,and disliked early hours most particularly, she met the Khan and 'Lyra ° in a stood of very querulous character, which arose partly from having been robbed of a large por- tion of sleep, and partly from having heard C:oolab's ekaggerated report of Fazil's danger. Now, the good lady had not even known of his going out, nor, as her lord had requested not to be disturbed, of the manner in which the weary night had passed. "'Blessed be the holy saints that he is safe!" was the exclamation of Zyna, as she threw herself upon the lady's neck; "t'here will be no delay now, and •sty father vein bring him to us. 0 mother, are you not thankful?" "It was well-done of thee, K•han," cried the lady ironically, disengaging herself from Zyna, and not heeding Ser words, "to send that poor hoy out in such a night as the last has been, Stich thunder and lightning ! Naked, too, I hear -to run the chance of cold and wounds. Ugh! thou sayest thou hast a father's love for him? Tobal tobal I swear to 'thee, had he been ray son, he should never stir out without my permission. tI would take. care of that. He should ,not go hence, Khan Sahib, until I knew that the planets were propitious -a thing -Alla defend us l -that some people care as little about as -as... and then to think what a tempting of destiny it was to send the boy from home without asking or .caring for the positions of tote stars, or find- ing out whether there was not an ad- verse planet in a threatening 'house. As it is, we hear that ,Fazil is wound- ed -that is, •tie might have been; and that Bulwunt Rao has had his head cut off -that is, nearly, for 'he has a horrible cut in Itis neck, and his 'head .s hanging all on one side; and" she continued, wiping her eyes with the end of her scarf, and is a whimpering '.one, "all this comes of not asking vie. Whet am I in the 'house but less than a dog? 0 Khan----" "Peace, Lurlee!" returned Afzool Khan tartly, "What'eioas words arc these so early Jn the morning? En- ough for thee that the boy is safe, and that we have subject for thank- fulness in his escape from danger, and not of sorrow. 'Peace! is it thus Alla should see thee after His mercy? Fa- zil will lee here presently, and will tell thee perhaps as much as I know•.". "Ay, perhaps!" retorted Lurlee. "i. who am less than a cat in the house end as gentis as a .sheep, 1111 treated I 0 'Khan1 shame upon thee that I know everything, only when it is stale, and .conies to me 'through the bazaar! Are not all your goings and ccotnittgs hidden from rte? and now I hear your and .Zyna sat up all night together; and I was told you were not to be interrupted, and had to eat my dinner by myself, and, to get to sleep as best .1 might, 0 Khan! ant I less than nobody? I who ani of the family "Thou wouldst only have been an- xious and fretful, Lurlee," returned the Khan soothingly. The planets would have troubled thee...We meant only well in not .telling thee. It was an urgent matter, and we could not wait for the 'astrologer to read the tables for us, or tell us .wh'a't star was in the ascendant, Go, see after some :breakfast, or whatever can he got for Fazil; we may be detained, and Ill. warrant' he is hungry enough al- ready, We cannot wait for lucky hours sometimes, but must take what Alla sends us." "I will not go, Khau, I will not be put off with empty words, she cried angrily; 'Wand if you do not choose to read the stars, what does it signify? are not the consequencesof your er- ror on your own head? When was it that the ...tars were aught in your eyes? Have I not read you many a warning, which, had it been heeded, would have saved much trouble - much! When Fazil went forth to .bat- tle, dill I not warn you not to let him depart? and didhe not come home wounded and .senseless? And when I told you one day, when one of the horses died, that something had must befall tis because of'the evil aspect of the stars, I was only laugh- ed at. Is this true or false?.And yes- terday, if I had batt been asked be- forehand, could I not have told all 'flat was going to happen? Behold!" and the lady drew from her bodice a table regularly constructed to aid her astrological predictions and research- es-."beholdi were not Saturn and the Moon in conjunction? Is not that bath enough? and cannot you see that is the reason why Bulwunt Rao, poor fellow, has had his head cut off?" "Peace, Lorl'ec," again cried the Khan, to whom Itis wife's astrological wisdom had long proved a serious an- noyance. "If all the planets in the sky had cone together for good or evil, Fazil rust have gone last night. for it was an errand of life or death. Now all is safely over, go and pre- pare some sltecrnee for distribution, and be thankful for what is, rather than ami ious about the stars—" "'lobi, tobal" exclaimed the lady, interrupting hint; "for shame, far shame! 0 Khan, to blaspheme the :tars! May your sin be fargivenl" "Nay, mother, but he did not blas- pheme," urged the gentle voice of Zyna. "'He did but mean that .Fazil was sane everywhere; for thou know - est, dear mother, that 'he is in the hands of (Alla, and that the blessed Alla is above all. "He is not above the stars, retort- ed the lady, angrily, and over-anx- ious to establish the truth of her fa- vourite superstition -"that is He -I mean-IIIe is above them; but then-" "Ah, Lurlee: better leave them alone," cried the Khan, laughing. "Art thou not sinking deep into the mire of thine own conceit, lady? Well thou art welcome to them if .they 11411 teach thee not to be wilful, and not to do thine own desire, which is ever i11 controlled and variable; and as to their being higher than Him who made Them -why, I have no more to say." "1 said no stech thing," retorted the lady doggedly; "but it is ever thus. Take care, Khan, of wilful dis- regard of warnings." "Another time, perhaps, wife Now we cannot delay, for the Kotwal bas got hold of Fazil, and that is worse than an adverse conjunction of plan- ets. But 'fear not," he added, seeing that the countenance of Zyna be- trayed alarm; 'a word from the, and he will be released.", "If he is not, I will go. to my ,cou- sin the tnVuzeer's wife, and beg for him," replied Lurlee. Ay, in spite of the stars? Well, tcell, beebee, I hope it will not be needed," said the Khan cheerily. "We are not yet come down to asking fa- vours of our cousins' waives. No, Lur- lee; keep thine interest for another time, and see to it that thy cousin doth not require thine aid ere thou hast ask hers." ".Lnpossible, Ki an l" cried' the lady sharply, "Thou art pleased this morning --to underrate My poor self and my .relations. Lt is well, 0 Af- zool K:han1" (she Meant to be very impressive .when she .called him by. name)' -."it is well ---II say it is very well, that you speak thus. 'See to it that thou, too, want no aid from them." "1 do not need them, Lurlee," re- plied the K'hat, "As to their aid t me -nay, be not angree I have not much hope of it; anti for the rest, if I ant right in what I think, there is evil impending over the Wuzeer's. house, which all the stars will not tell 'hre of, nor him either. May the ,''nes avert it 1 If it he true, thou. shalt know of it ere many hours be past, and we ' will try to aid hint; but et present let there be peace between tis. By-atedeby thou ((hilt say to Fazil., It was well done, 'though our news. may not p'lea'se thee. Go, girl, bring nue my .sword," he continued to ,Zyna. "Bring a shawl too, for the morning air is .chilly:" Zyna was glad to ' escaipe, for, in troth, bickerings such as we !halve noted were too fre'duent its the house to be very tolerable, and sometimes one side, sometimes the other, was in fault; most frequently, perhaps, the lady, who, having had no children 01 her oven to care for and having in her youth been instructed in Persian, .had turned 'to divinity and ,astrology with great zeal. In the latter she had indeed gnat faith; and professed herself able, as no doubt she was will- ing', to direct all 'affairs of the house, as also of the state, by planetary in fluences. !Thus, no event :could hap- pen without its being, to her percep- tion, plainly written in the book ,f destiny,. which the light of 'the plan - etc rendered easy reading; at'd if a .dish happened to break, or a ,cow or bullock died, or a horse had to be purchased or exchanged, or any house hold rejoicing tirade, or trouble en (lured, all were found to have con'nec- tien with the planets, or to be the consequence of the lucky or unlulcky days and hours of which her life was composed, +Lurlee Klhanum being a scholar, was also an object of envy to many of her female friends, and was con- sulted by them upon various turns of their fortunes; and in regard 'to lucky. colours for dress, lucky moments for putting on clothes, settling thatches - and marriage days, the weaning of children, putting them into new beds, cutting their hair or nails, and the like domestic matters, site was an 'unques- tionable authority. She, according to the rules laid clown in Iter book, bad written several charms, and given them to her friends, which, together with the virtues of certain herbs and medicines, had (been the cause of re- lief to babies when cutting their teeth and when they cried at night, or had bad dreams, or infantine ailments; and had been efficacious also in avert- ing evil spirits, evil eyes and the en- vious wishes of others. tFor these accomplishments - es- pecially her skill in astrology, .which was believed to be very wonderful, indeed alniost a special revelation- Lurlee lfihanunt was 'held in vast re- spect by all classes in her ,quarter of the city; anti Iter opinions and inter- pretations of the stars were decidedly preferred to those of Meer Anwar Ali, the old Moola of the public mos- que nigh at hand; and a considerable feud existed between then in conse- quence. For the'1I'oola considered her as an interloper, and as one by ne means qualified or instructed to have converse with What she professed, whether astrology or medicine.; and had :been known to say, irreverently no doubt that more people died of Lurlee Kleanunt's medicittee than the angel of death 'knew what to do with. In short, Lurlee ICltaaum, the second wife of 'Afzool Khan, was a much more poptilar persyn than the first ltad been; who, being a foreigner, and absorbed in her husband incl children. cared little about her neighbors; whereas her successor was in most respects the exact reverse. Lurlee .Beebee had once been hand- some. She was of somewhat dark complexion, 'but had very large lus- trous eyes, with a prominent nose, and had not escaped anarks by small- pox, though they were not disfiguring. l\\Ven the ICItan married her, her fig- ure was perfect; but she had lately, much to her mortification, increased .in .size; .and though she took many in- fallible receipts to prevent fat, it would accumulate. IFor many years she had had hope of children, and had made .vows to all -the shrines in Bee- japoor, had sent gifts to those at`Alt- un'd, (Gul(bta'gali, and Gogi, and had vowed to snake vasa distributions of money, and to do other charitable acts, 11 her prayers were granted. Now she began to fear she had no chance, which had vexed her not a little, and had combined, with other (troubles, to give 'a sour, ,grim expres- sion to her tcountenanoe, which rarely left it. There were times, however, when she was !bright and .pleasant; tor, real- ly kind at -heart, few had greater powers of. pleasing than Lurlee Khan - um; but aa her husband became more and more occupied .with public affairs, estrangement had begun, and was progressing, There was one fear .which Lurlee had been beset •with for man, years -that her lord. seeing she had no children, would marry again; and the idea of a sister -wife was very in- tolerable; this, however, had passed away. The Khan was advancing . in years, his children were growing up, and she had no fear of another 'usurp-. ing what affection remained or inter- fering with her household manage- ment. To the Kh'an's children, Lurlce ,was fondly attached; indeed, they were row the principal links between her lord' and herself. Their mother had died when they wereof tender age and after Leriee's hopes of childrei ceased, she took More 'kindly to than 1tan .before and had .clone her duty by them. Nor did their fatter itnbettfere with that .deference ,to her inclement iu Maltter.s .concerning them of ,which she had better knowledge; but her iat- cneasittg• faith :in her own infallibility lead begun to distress both, as, they could not help estimating at its prop- er value .the suipersttiti'oa upon which the majority of her acus and opinions were founded once for all, (Such was Letele(e Khartum, the only lady in the 'hraretn of Afzool Khan. Other nobles of his rank would have married as often as the law allowed, without reproach; but the old Khan's affectionshad seemingly died' with .Zytta's mother; and the ,excitement of ,war, of political events, ansi provinc- ial government, together with , the Management of his 'fate estate of A'f zootgoor, had apparently filled his mind to the ,excltfsion of other su;b jects. In a few moments ` Zyna had re- turned, bearing the ,weapon, Which her father took feom her; and leaving en- tered the garden with her, they per- formed their ablutions in the mos- que before Intentioned, and went over the usual (forms of the early prayer. The Khan then returned to the zen nava, where Lurlee Ktlanum stet him, "I have put up some food in the, palankeen," she said; "see that Fazil eats it. I would ail this were safely over," site added, after a pause. "Thou art not angry with me, k'h'an -with y'our'Lurlee? do not go forth angry with me, my lord.,, "No, nol'no't angry, dear ane," re- turned the Khan, much moved and -softened, "1 am 1101 angry, hilt impa- tient; forgive me, Lurlee. Alla keep you till I return: and you. too, my child! Fear not; I will bring him safely to both of you." The Khan's 'horse awaited hits in the outer court, and with it a strong troop of his best horsemen, with a company of spearmen, whose (combatt- ed force seemed enough to have res- cued Fazil, had there been need. Af- zool Khan was greeted heartily by all, and as he cast his eye over the group of steady and oft=tried retainers, he felt that confidence which results from habitual companionship with other, and that no ,danger could reach Fazil which they could not share or over- come. 'The greeting was as heartily returned as given; and the gates be- ing thrown open .after a few questions as to his son's messenger, and preced- ed by him and the band of spearmen who ran after his horse Afzo'ol Khan and his retainers pushed forward at a rapid pace. It was new broad .daylight, and the freshness of the morning, and its clear bright atmosphere, rendered every object more beautiful :than it had been before the rain. Every stately mosque and minaret, palace and mausoleum, •w'ith their bright gilded spines, ,caught the fast -increasing light and stood out boldly* against the clear sky in the east; while the rich foliage, of the trees, unmoved by any wind as yet, hung in heavy_ masses, and seemed reftteshed by the moist- ure they still (retained, As they pass- ed elle various gardens, the rich fra- grance of tuberose, line, and orange flowers loaded the air alm'os't to ex- cess; while the very (ground gave forth that refreshing earthy scent, which, in India, after raps, mingles so peculiarly and yet so gratefully with every other perfume. IFew per- sons were yet abroad; and with the exception of an occasional devout bta'homeden proceeding to early mor- uingprayer at the mosque -+a young rake, with a small band of sword-and -bucklermen, returning from the night's questionable conlp'anionship- a few humble ,carriers of fruit and,ve- getables coming from (villages with- out the walls to the morning market, with 'here and there small companies of travellers starting on their daily journey, -all Was silent and deserted; and the heavy tramp of the horsemen, as they proceeded at a rapid pace, sounded strange and suspicious at that unusual hour, OHAIPT!E'R XXIVIhIS. (Tice young Ashruf ran lightly al- ong before the party, leading them, by narrow lanes, and streets familiar to him, direct to the spot where the occurrences of the night had taken place; and under such guidance -for the boy's speed never flagged for a moment-ttkfzool . Khan and his men arrived at the building where Fazil was waiting, almost ere the sun's rays were Sparkling upon the tallminarets and domes of the city, c kle:hail looked anxiously for their• coming long ere dawn 'broke; for, he ltad awakened as usual for the morn- ing prayer, in which he was joined by the 'Duffadar and several other dev- out members of the guard: and since its conclusion Ire h'acl been sitting on the sten of the .guard -room. or watch- ing Bulwunt, who slept heavily but restlessly, and speculating on the rea- son of his young messenger's delay.. Truly .cheering was it, therefore, after '.tearing from a great distance the ra- pid advance of a body of horsemen. '•nrnc on the still Morning air, to ser the well-known. hand of spearmen, led by the young Ashruf, turn the corner of the street, and immediately 'foll.ow- PROFESS'IOONAI. CARD'S Medical DR. GILBERT C, JARROTT Graduate of Faculty of "Medicine, Un- iversity of Western Ontario. Member - of College of. Physicians and Surgeons. of Ontario. Office 43 Goderich St, West. Phone 37. Hours 2.4,30 p.m. 7.30-9.00 p;na, Other hours by appoint- ment. Successor 'to Dr. Chas. Mackay.. DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physdcias, and Surgeon. Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special, attention to diseases of the eye, carr,-, nose and throat. Office and mei dence behind 'Dominion Bank. Office, ercial Hotel, Seaford], 3rd Monday in. Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104 DR, F. J, BURROWS, WWS, Seaforth... Office and residence, Goderich street,., east of the United Church. Oononer for the County of Huron. Telephone No. 4'6. - DR. F, J. R. 11O'RISITEIR--Eye, Ear Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medi- cine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New. York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, .Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hoapi tats, London, England, At Comm- ercial Hotel,'Seaford], 3rd ,Wednes-- clay in each mohth from 1,30 p.ni. to - 5 p.m. DIR. W. C, SPROAT,-•Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons urgeons of Ontario. Office in rear of-; Aberhart's drug store, Seaforth, Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.3107 9 p.m, Other hours by app'ointmen't. Dental DRJ . A. MUNN Successor Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western University, Chicago, III. Li- centiate Royal.Oollege of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Slue'' hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Rhone: 151. DR. F. 3. BEOHYELY, graduate‘ Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smith's. grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Phone,,. office 185W, residence 185'3. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, e Auctioneer for the County of Hu,o. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Chargee moderate and satisfaction guranteed WATSON AND REID*s RIEAL. ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James 'Watson) MADN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT, All kinds of Insurance risks effeet- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co,. HEAD OFFPCE-ISEAFORTH, Ont: OFFEOERS President -Alex. Broad'foot, ;Seaforth;. Vice4President, James Connolly, God- erich; Secretary -Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS W. E. Hinckley, :Seaforth; john+ Murray, R. R. 3, .Seaforth; E. R. G. Jarinouth, Brodhagent James Watt,. Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Haltncsville. D!IIRIECTIORJS Alex, B'roadfoot, Seaforth No. .3;. James Shol'dice, 'Walton; Wm, Knox,. lL o rat d e s born; George Leonhard't, Bornholm No. 1l; John Pepper, Bsuice- field; Janes Connolly, Goderich; Ro- bert Ferris, Blyth; Thomas Moylan,.. 'Sea(forth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to .effect insurance or transact other business,' will be - promptly attended to by applications to any ofthe above :natned,officers ad- dressed to their respective post offices. iug .them the tali figure of his father; and with (hint perhaps fifty of fh'e- Paigeh. - (To be (Continued.) \Vint and For Sale Ads, 3 times, 501r