The mirror and the bracelet : $b or, Little bullets from BatalaA. L. O. E.
General
The mirror and the bracelet : $b or, Little bullets from Batala
A. L. O. E.
Children's stories; Christian ethics -- Juvenile literature; Moral education -- Juvenile literature
The missionary was engaged in counting out some rupees, being the
results of a collection made in his church, when his servant made his
salam, and announced that Isa Dás was in attendance, and desired to see
his honour. The missionary turned towards a Government official who sat
near him, reading the papers, and said, "This is the very convert whom
I was recommending to you just now. He is one who has really lost all
for the sake of religion."
"And I doubt that he expects you to make up his losses," said
the officer, smiling. "I tell you again that I don't like native
Christians; they are a covetous lot, always bent on getting as much as
they can. Just you see now if the fellow has not come to ask you for
money."
"He may, indeed, need help," replied the missionary, rather sorry that
his needy convert should happen to come just at that time.
Isa Dás entered, and made his respectful salam. He then drew forth from
his kamarband * four rupees, which he silently placed on the table.
* A scarf worn round the waist, which often serves as a purse.
"What have you brought these for?" asked his friend.
"I have brought them to repay the debt which I owe your honour for what
you kindly lent me some time ago."
"I gladly add them to our church collection," said the missionary,
placing the rupees beside those which he had just been counting out.
"This is the very first time that I have ever known a native pay a debt
without the money being forced from him!" cried the officer present,
looking with interest at the thin form, so meanly clad, of the honest
convert. "Christianity has done something for this man at least. You
have told me," he continued, still speaking in English, so that Isa Dás
did not understand him, "that he has some education, is intelligent,
hardworking, and one not given to lying and cheating?"
"All that, and a good deal more," replied the missionary with a smile.
"I want just that sort of person to accompany me in my journeys through
the famine-stricken districts; one who can give me some little help
in my work of dispensing Government relief." Then, addressing Isa
Dás in his native tongue, the gentleman said, "Do you wish to take
service?" And he briefly described what the nature of the service would
be, concluding by an offer of ten rupees a month, and all travelling
expenses paid.
How readily, how joyfully was the offer accepted! Isa Dás saw himself
raised at once to a position of comfort and wide usefulness, one in
which he could specially glorify God by helping his fellow-creatures
whilst serving an earthly patron.
"You will need doubtless to make some little preparations for
your journey," said the official; "some additions to a somewhat
scanty wardrobe," he added in English, with a smiling glance at the
missionary. "You shall have ten rupees for your outfit, so buy whatever
you need, and join me here to-morrow."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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