Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1934-04-26, Page 6PAGE SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS, THURSDAY, AIPRIL 26, 1934. +K 'r?l::tt:r tit s -VVga .;ir�*� lt�va',t ...414.a. the \loghul armies hal conning the most unrelenting• judges, t,tea:cr;e,l the eapitat, or there was( "Let them but confirm this," said en,�lntmcut daily in the field to meet the .King, aloud, as he looked, -out, a cough ,t; ?anger, these tribes and and again turned to the papers, sel- thetr c:re.,. had found occupation again -t t common enemy, and had f.tight .ari:ca•l; .and successfully, The ;,c-: r_,ta'ry ui the \Ioguul army av,ts ,t Ch f,n these fiery Dekhan r , RNIdess of life,well nt z:4,, each tribe and appellation vying v; h each other. whenever there toss t chance in their broad sin•, , e>` has tit neglected it, and v,ere :Nen :n aIvance of the more ! th..n is slower moving. l.,; _simian horse and foot, allow try 1.'iat:,l :ts save;. Ilvt ,..en the extremes of party ::t se ea• like Afzool Khan, get to neither, her, w'ho held a comm• n interest and faith he the dy- ject .of reputed intrigues with .the Emperor, and prove a guide to future proceedings. The two persons who had been. summoned so hastily to the night council were, in the first .place Peer Dustageer Khaderi, a 'holy Syud, or descendant of the Prophet, of the Prophet, of the purest lineage, and the head of a religious house or establish- ment of Durw•aysh, .or, as we famil- iarly call them, "Dervishes," whidh had been largely endowed by the State, and for whose ancestors, bur- led in the precincts of the shrine, mir- acles were now becoming •ostensibly cl:•timed. As a consequence, the holy influence of the "Peer" was decidedly an the increase; and as he had been chosen as religiousinstructor to the King, he was at that time his "Moor- shid,' or spiritual guide; and being a shrewd, well-educated person, posses- sed. of deep local experience, and, froth his position, able to 'obtain in- formation of a trustworthy nature, he was frequently consulted. To give him d credit, .the Peer had proved, on more than one occasion, to have rendered valuable service. IT-Iint, there- fore, had the King named as the per- son best ,fitted to be intrusted with the escret alley had obtained. The 'other was an old Brahmmt, who entered leaning niton a long stick with a gond head, yet not so as to evince weakness, and was as re- markable in his degree as the person Whom he accompanied, Neelkunt Ra'! Pansay, ie the outset of his life a humble .Karkoon, or clerk, in the revenue department of the State, had erved, in succession, three genera- tions of its kings, and, at upwards of eighty years old, was still clear-head- ed, astute, and faithful. He had risen to the rank of "Peshcar," or - .finance minister, by his .valuable services is that department; and though an in- fidel, as he was termed by the Peer, was beloved and respected, and con- sulted on occasions of more than or- dinary solemnity or embarrassment, more particularly in regard to the af- fairs of 'his own people, the Hindus of the kingdom, While the secretary advanced -to the King, the others stood at the further end of the apartment. :Neither .knew w.hy they had been summoned, aitd the hour of the night, the, to them, strange fact of being together in the most private aparment of hePalace, and in the !King's presence, caused them to look at each ether wonder- ingly. These were not persons who could ever unite in private friendship; for. the Peer, a bigoted, follower of i\Ia- homed, and a holy saint to boat, was out of these who, as warriors of ,the faith, would have led armies against the infidels, and utterly extermniated them, That king of IGulburga'h, Fer- oze Shah, was in his eyes a true Mos- lem, and now surely enjoying Para- dise, who, in pursuance of his vow: had slain a 'hundred thousand of the infidels of 'Beejanuggur, and made pyramids of. their' heads at the gate of his city. 'If the kings of Bcejapoor had been such it .would have been t�eh; brit alas! in his eyes they were degenerate. Here was a proof; the in- fidel minister sent for to confer with him! the 'Sytid 1 "Astagh-fur-Ullal" (God forbid it!) gurgled in' his throat, and he edged away and gather up his garments with a gesture decidedly contemptuous. This did not escape the old i3ralt nfin's notice, but it was no time to re- sent it. for they were called forward. A word from the 'secretary had de- cided the 'King to have the Mahratta letters first examined. Aroused from his sleep, and in the presence of a Bra!hfnun, the Syud was not likely to discuss any matter temperately with one; nor, indeed, in a subject in which \Iahomedan honour was involved, was it politic, perhaps; to reveal to a Hindu; but ;ehe fact or otherwise of Sivaji 'B:hoslay's atachment or teach- ery so affected the Wuzeer's position, that it could not be concealed from one who, -whatever his faults of relig- ious arrogance might be, was at ]cast a (firm friend of the young King and itis governMent. "Salaam-o-alykoom! Khoosh anni deedl (yoet are welcome)," said the King, using the Persian salutation to the Syud, and rising as 'he advanced, "S'adaant-o-alykl" returned the holy man, advancing, as was his w'ont!fi in a ,peculiar but characteristic manner; that is, be bent his head forward, so as to assume a stoop which' might be supposed revcntial, but which .was, in fact, patronising in the extreme; stretching forth his arms in an atti- tude of benediction, and, having set, his feet nearly at right angles, he' shuffled with short steps towards the edge of the carpet on w'hic'h Was the King's seat. "My lord's health is sound, and his brain is -clear?"' "I am well," ,returned the King; "he seated," The Peer le'oked ,fair a place as near the King as possible, and,. with an- other stave of his hands, settled.him- seli upon his 'heels with two suotions —first. to drop 00 his knees, and sec- ond,. to subside epoo his ,heels, very Much after the fashion of a camel when it is to he loaded, This done. he joined his (hands together, are ected the letter, loked over it, and hastily put it clown with ;a shiver. "Let then but confirm it, and then— O, my father! wert thou here it would be the sante, and your son will not flinch from the necessity, be it what it may," CIL\1'TiE_'R XXX'I1I•I As yet the thing's thoughts had ad- milted :nothing definitely; the blow had been" too stt,iclen, the provoca- tion t, .t great, ,or aught but a numb- ness of perception which checked couclnsive determination; but this was passing away fast, and it was be- coming ,till more apptirent that, if !NIS: e ';try served, and whose arms Khan \laltmed's pian had 'succeeded, had cdtee been turned against Abyss he must, if he survived it, be the cle guru,;, and against Dekhanies, pendent of lila own slave and his whenever revolt" or mutinies of eith- er reederer] it necessary, :\n;otig these contending factions and ever present rivalries, the course of the young King had been difficult and devioue since his accession; but tesPeet to his father's memory and seperie:cc. for Ire had been a wise prince. a successful administrator, tuna a v f.i:nt warrior in the field, had, in the end, induced }rim to con- inue the predominance of the Abys- sinian element in council; and to al - lox :he Dck'.tatiic' scope for their .,.unttl.-.n in mi:itary commands and active service in distant provinces of the kingdom. retaining those only at father's. Were the other letters, which they had looked over hastily, true also? \Ice's tongues had before, been busy with the Wuzeer's reputation, and now were so again—the same subject and the same Man; and it ryas -"true, true!" Unconsciously he had spoken aloud in his reverie, and the word seemed to conte as if an echo of his own thought. . "Who spoke?" h e cried, looking round—."R'ho spoke?" His very guess tint} seemed to make the silence more impressive; and, as he strained his eves into the gloom of the chamber, there was no sound. but the gentle the capital who would prove a coon- sough of the night wind, laden with %she 's. te the .\h),sinfans, 11, case , . ret'!. Influenced by personal es- teem. and evert affection, for the man sella had been itis father's most trust - e,3 counsellor and friend, he had re- taiate.] Kitaa \Iahomed in office, not- withstanding the evil reports of his Uekban officers: and under these the - discovery of the treachery, which had lotig existed, was hard to endure. It was his tires bitter lesson. in life, and there were few to fdil back upon for advice or consolation. in his extremity his thoughts had turned to :Vassal Khan first, perhaps, of all: but again, his known intimacy with the Wtizcer; the report that the families would Soon be united by the marriage of Khan-Mahomed's son to the old Khan's daughter; the notor- ions friendship of the young men; and, above all, a certain reticence in Afzool ,Khan's expressions whenever the Wuzeer's character or actions were discussed — recurred to the King, and his thoughts turned from . Afzool Khan to others in succession, yet finding rest nowhere. - Of all his officers, on whom could he depend? Jehandar 'Beg; who should have been his executive -in - any arrest of the. Wuzeer, was 'known to be his .,dependent: and thus specu- lating on each, he was in personal adherents. At .first a?I appeared to be decided in his favour, but gradually requests were made under one pretext or other, which disclosed the true oh- jects of his courtiers, and the young King had sufficient discernment to estimate their professions at their full value. It was these experiences which threw hltn back upon himself, and upon the 'Wuzeer, who was, at least as he thought, moderate and un- selfish, Moderate, certainly, to him; yet at heart, .more grasping and more treachero-ea than any. There was no doubt of that now. Again and again had the King taken tip the letter we have before read, and examined it closely; and had each time lair( it down with increased con- victl-n that it was 'genuine. There could be no doubt either as to -the seal or the writing. Khan \lahomed's own hand was tee. peculiar. to be imi- tated.' yet he had dr,.ubtel - still moisture, antemg the trees below and the open latticework of the windows, "The spirits of the dead are around me to -night," he continued to himself, shuddering, '`Listen, 0 father) Listen, sweet mother! 0 Prop -het of 'God, on witotn be peace, assist and hear me! O the.p f,,uattain and dispenser of jus- tice, make me true and bold; make me as 'I should be, thy agent among thy people. If I have been a ohild till now, forgive me—that is past. He writes to the ,Emperor, that !I ant a boy!—that 'I am a boyl Inshal'la 1 No! that is past 1" As he spoke, the sound of voices below, and of foot- steps ascending the narrow stair were distinctly audible, and be paused to listen. "It is they at last, and the Meerza has not delayed. Enter," he cried, as the steps appeared to reach the landing -place and doorway "en- ter, I am here." The heavy quitted curtain' was pushed aside, and three ,persons ad- vanced—one the -lfeezra o rsecretary we have before mentioned; the other two we have net yet seen; but they had been often employed as confid- ential advisers by the King, and he had now sent for them. When they returned from the temple, the King and his secretary had examined the papers they had obtained, with great care and apxiety, and they proved to be far more voluminous and import- ant than even our ,friend the Lall'a. had imagined. The dates of the letters ewtended over several years: 'Some, of later elate, within the year, :had evidently been sent secretly, for they were roll- ed up into the smallest possible ram - pees, in lead, and so that they could be nut into the mouth, or otherwise hidden the handwriting was dis- guised, and several were written in. cypher; hat the most recent were not disguised at all, and the seals were perfect. The whole formed' a series, and they had hastily .put theta to- gether. 'Each letter confirmed the other, or seemed to do so, and yet, c,,itsiderintg the issue at stake, neither cared to trust their own judgment: 'and the papers needed cocifinmation: a; well of their authenticity as of their reference to former occurrence, and dates s hard tr, admit canvic_ Of the itahratta docantents, how- doubted.Tt - ever, they cr,uld form no opinion, as tion ei guilt when one's affections ereor'c:,tld are .peiading innocence, but here it er real tela character; hut ',Vas not t, he resisted; aid. as most `he 'e'cretary was familiar -with the generally f, dl ch conviction,sal, and even the rude signature, of .colt t'lmslay; and these letters those ,eery affections were fast be -ought throw some 'light on the sub- - smiling blandly, again ventared to ask whether "My lord and prince were well." "By your favour and the mercy of God," ,replied the Kling, "I ant well. "Ulhunedetil-idla I Praise he to God)! S,hookrl shooks! (thanks, thanks!)" ejaculated the Peer devout- ly, as -he settled 'himself more e'oin- fortalbly; then, taking his tos'tury'Iromz' his waist, began to tell his bead's with great rapidity, as the old Brahntun,, following to the edge of the carpet, and ,malting a humlble and reverential salutation, stood awaiting, the Ring's; pleasure. "Be seated, .Neelleusrt Rai," said the King kindly; and as the old man stooped tb the ground, supporting. himself by his stick, the secretary compassionately part bis hand under his arm, and let him down gently. The scowl from the Peer at this un- wonted act of courtesy was :lost upon the secretary, but not upon the old matt himself; nor was his look of thanks to the person who had:assisted. hint unremarked by the Syttal. "I will watch. them," he said inwardly: "these two seers to understand each: other." "We are t}scary of these details. What lost thou ;think, Neelkunt Rai " • "My lord," said the old ,titan, join - ng his hand's, "nine are not the words of flattery; non is my advise given w'itho'ut reason. II cannot con - 0..01 men's tongues, nor can I hinder the actions of such as 'Sivaji Mosley; nor yet em I a soldier, to estimate whether his means are proportionate to the end lie-.pro'peses to attain. If. I may speak, if will do so truly, and as one who is near death now; but any yord !test not be offended, else I arta silent." "Be careful, and do not transgress the bounds of propriety and respect," said ,the peer. "Let him speak as he will, ,Syud," cried the King, hastily; "do not in- terrupt iii,m, Feat' not, Neelkunt Rai, "1 feat- no one, because lI have ,aro re'as'on to do so," returned the old ratan simply, and looking steadily at the priest, "What I have _.to say is this: the disaffection of Sivaji ,Bios lay may spread, but it has not yet become dangerous. That it will be so, if not checked, there is no doubt, for the whole Mahratta people are with hint; and there are many signs among them that Ise will be great—" "That he. will be great?" echoed the King. "My lord," interrupted the Syud. "I know ail about 'that. Some of my disciples 'w'ho live at a distance, have conte to rite fro inline to time lately, and told me of the damnable doings of the infidels; and.:ltoso this Sivaji i:; supposed to -ave revelations front their gods; but they are but stones— they are but stones, and gold and sil- ver. Now, what saint .the blessed Pro- phet, on whom be .peace, about such infidels?" "Spare us, good 'Spud," returned the King, interrupting him gently, "we know the passages; but God hath seen fit to give our house subjects of this faith; and they are all our chil- dren—they-as well as the true be- lievers, We can see no difference." "Astagh-fur-ooial NO difference!" cried ,the Syud. "Is it not written in the holy book, how- they shall be burned in Inc+fires of hell, and thou sayest there is aro difference! Some one hath surely bewitched thee, with sorcery, my soft, and I will say exor- cisms for tltee=an --" "Enough," returned the King, cold - 1Y; `.'.we have not time to waste in discussions on such ,matters now. Pro- ceed, 'Nee'lkun't Rai," ilio Syud is a holy man," said the old minister, "and ,he and his house are venerated, and he should be nterc- iful and coniderate to all; but as he, too, hath 'heard the rumours in re- gard to Sivaji, any lord will believe them. And it would be well not to disregard them entirely. A people's. enthusiasm is mot •to be trifled with." • "There is but one cure for 'it, if they 'are infidels, and that is the sword," murmured :the ,Syed. "What faith--" "We cannot suffer these interrup- tions," interposed the Ring, haught- ily, "Peace, Meer Sahib," whispered the Meerza, laying his hand on the other's arae, as he was about to rise. "Peace. and be still. In whlat willcome after- wards we 'have need of thee—mach need; be still," 'City prince," said Neelkunt Rai, en- deavouring to rise, "I have done what was needed, and beg leave to depart in peace. My King knows the. worst. What his servant 'wooing' advise will not niow be listened ,to, were lie even to speak." "Say on," cried the Ring, interrupt- ing hint; !`thou hast a right to speak. Say on; we will not prevent thee." "Bit 'h:e will," returned the Kar- koon, pointing to the Syud. "If he speaks no irreverence against the people of the true faith, he may talk till utorntip.g," said the tS'y'ud, with a wave of the ha,ed, "I shall be dumb and deaf,". "I have little to represent, -my lord," replied the old man. "It is hard to say whether rebellion such as this, should be crushed or fo-giy en. If I should advise the former, can it be done ? If the latter, I may be'sus- pected of partiality. Alt, my prince if you gird up ytosar loins ;to fight Si- vaji, it will but be trying to grasp the wind; and your best troops will be taken into his mountains, leaving their places empty for the Moghuls to oc- cupy, and that were a dangerous risk. Nos send your royal 'kow'l'' to the ti'hos'ay—,invite him here — ennoble hint -- treat Hint as your ancestors treated the tlfeyiler 'chief of Suggu,r, and you will secure bins, If a time of trial should .ever .tonne, which: may the gods avert, the old Birahtnun's words and cautions for the. adoption of a merciful policy will ntot be for- gotten. May I depart?" — "Yes, you 'have permission to de- part, : Nee'l senit Rai," said the King, interrupting the Syttd, who was about to speak angrily: "It is evert as we suspected 'iu regard' to these letters, and the tB'hoslay's treachery to the State. We would ass: one thing ,more: —.what force hash Sivaji i;t reality?" "My prince," returned the Brali• num, rising and leaning on his staff "what shall 1 say? I -le e you no re- ports? Were not letters given to IAf- CHAPTER XXXIV The !King spoke 'li•tst, breaking a silence w+hie'h, though only lasting „fgr a few moments, seemed' interm- inably oppressive. "I have called you, Neelkunt !Rai," he said, "to examine and read to me some papers w^hle,h have 'come into my possession, There is no one about rite from whom iI can expect more true ,fidelity than from you in a deli- cate matter. ,Give '(tint the papers, Meerza; they are before you." ,( "May my lord's favour and con- descension increase," returned the old num, bowing humbly, "I have never deceived the State, and ant too old to begin; and as She grandson is now•. so were the father and grandfather always towards me; true confidence is rarely disappointed." The King sighed. "Alas," he said- "w•oul it were sol 'Read and judge for yourself." Neelkunt Rai fooic the papers, east his eyes over a,few lines, pelt them down, fumbled in his pockets fur his spectacles,' which finally were faun.: in a fold of lois turban, put than an. and looked first at the end .pi the paper, "The letters are from Sivaji Bhos- lay, my lord. Doubtless some renewal of his former excesses, and his tonal apologies for them, 'Shall I read then." "If that were 'all, Neelkunt Rai, we could forgive them," replied the King:. "but read; we may perhaps be in error about them, though truly our vassal grows in power, and heeds not warnings or advice." ' "It is only four months since he took the four forts," interposed the Meerza, "and the 'letters given to Af- zool ]Chan attention that he is repair• ing and putting grain into them, ant: that Pertabgurh, where he lives ,is row impregnable, and that--" "Let hint read, Meerza, Sahib," said the Peer ironically: "one so high in the'favour of the King should not be interrupted;" and he stroked hi:. beard gently with one hand, while the beads of itis rosary passed rapidly through the fingers of the other, and his lips repeated the particular in- vocation of the divinity which started every beat(. "Let hip} read; nay lord is already listening." Neelkunt Rai proceeded. He hat; been deceived by the address, which was that usually written to his own sovereign, and had read the letter through un's:uspiciously; but as its purport became evident, it was clear by his change of countenance, that this u'as no ordinary cotmmunication. and after .a while he stopped suddenly: "It is tat fit for my lore} to hear," he said excitedly, "This is treason!" "Be ,not afraid, Neelkunt Rai, we would know the worst," replied the Ring. "Yes, my lord should know who are true and who are false," added the Peer, pompously. "I,t is true wisdom." "As you will," returned the odd pian, bowing to the 'King, and no' noticing the Peer; "your servant it' not responsibtle for what is written. and you must be patient with it;" and he read and translated as he .went. There 'could be no doubt that the treaso, was unmasked and uricoar ceased, the wrongs of his father wrote iSivaai, who Inc four yearshad been imprisoned in the' .dungeon o` the citadel of i]3eejapowr,' near the gate, called for revenge; the wrongs of the people suffering under eagles' local oppression and exactions, called for redress, which it was 'hopeless tc expect at the hands of a' h.oy,_advice- ridden and under the domination "o' bigoted and ignorant ministers. The cooc'htsiou was characteristic of the writer. All lis desired 'was coeiifir-ana- tion of his ancestral rights, and oer• mission to serve, with. his forces, in the imperial interest: ,Letter after letter was read, id ititicli to the same purpose; those o' the later _dates being, more particular pe'riaaps, than the 'former, "Enough," cried the ,King at las; PROFESS'IOINAL' CARDS Medical DR GIL,BERT C. JARROTT Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, UR. iversity of Western Ontario. Member of Collegeof Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office 43 Goderich St. West. Phone 37, Hours 2-4,30 p.m.. 7.30-99.00 p.m, Other hours by appoint ment, ,Successor to Dr. Chas, Mackay, DR H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon. Late of London Her- pital, London, England: Specvvt attention to diseases of the eye, ase, nose and throat. Office and sea -- donee behind Dominion Batik. 'Office ercial Hotel, Seaforth, 3rd Monday in Phone No. 5; Residence Phone MM.. DR. F. J. BURROWS, Seafortio Office and residence, Godench streak, east of the United Church. Coroner for the County of Huron. Teieplaann No, 46, TSR. F. J. R. F!O'RS'TER-Eye. E* Nose and Throat. Graduate in Node - eine, University of Toronto 18t. Late Assistant New York Oghtbai- mic- and Aural Institute, Mooretield's Eye, and Golden Square throat haste tats, London, England. At Comaca,- ercial Hotel, 'Seaforth, 3rd ,Wednes- day in each month from 1.30 ,p.m. tri+ 5 p.m. DIR. W. C. SI:MOA'T,—Graduate' oaf dWestFaculty of Medicine, University of- Western ern Ontario, London. Neaten' of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. Office in rear of Aberhart's drug store, Seder*. Phone 90. Hours 1,30-4 p.tn„ 7, 4! -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment, Dental DR, J. A. MU'NN, Successor -4T Dr. R. R, Ross, graduate of. Mortis - western University, Chicago, Ill. Li- centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office oacr sate hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Pitoae. 151. DR. F. J. BECH'ELY, graduate Royal College of Dental Surgeecz, Toronto, Office over W. R. Smith's grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Pitoeee. office 185W, residence 1855. Auctioneer. GEOIRIGE ELLIOTT, Licensed. Auctioneer for the County of Iic Arrangements -can be made for Siete Date. at The Seaforth News. Chargee inoderate and satisfaction guranteeg. VVA'1'bON AND REIDZa REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James Watson) MADN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Clete Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Ce HEAD ,OFFPCE--SEAFORTH, One OFFiIC'ERS ;President—Apex. Broadfoat, Seatfort. Vice -President, James Connolly, Ga& erich; 'Secretary -Treasure, M. F. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS W. E. ''Hittchley, Seaforth; Johan. Murray, R. R. 3, ,Seaforth; E. R- G:. Jarmouth, Broclhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F.- Hewitt, Kincardine; Yeo, Ho'lmesville. DIRECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No. .1; James S•hold•ice, Walton; Wm. Knorr L o m des'boro; George Leonhard'9, Bornholm No, 11; John Pepper, Bru+ce- field; James Connolly, Goderich; Ro- bert Ferris, Biyt'h; Thomas ;Wotan, Seaforth No: 5; Wm. R. Archibalt,. Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applicatiotns, to any of the above-named officers ad- dressed to their respective post - offices. zood Khan to read' ? 'Ask ;hiin; he knows that •country better than I de, —farAsk better. ,Arlt the 'St'u'd what dans disciples tell hint," "No, no; I will have your opinion," interrupted the King. "Speak! tlti do your people, ,the Brahmans. ass about it?". (To Be Continued)