Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 55
Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I MAHARAJA’S PHYSICIAN 55 premises alleging that a third person had offered to pay four times the amount of rent mentioned in the deed. The tenant thus harassed submitted to the extortion and signified his willingness to pay the enhanced amount. But this only whetted the appetite of the Estate Officer and he returned only a day or two later with the tale that he had been offered twelve times the amount of rent. The tenant was disgusted and made up his mind to depart from a place where honesty and fair-dealing were under such heavy discount. He told his servant to pack up for departure and take everything down from the flat. When his belongings had been piled up in the street, a leading citizen of the town, Shaikh Fati h Muhammad, happening to pass by, enquired from the servant whose belongings they were. Just then the owner had come down and explained that he was departing the town. "But you have been here only a short while; why are you departing so soon?" "Because I have no wish to live in a place where honesty is held of no account. " Shaikh Fati h Muhammad guessed what had happened and said: "The Estate Officer is reputed for his chicanery. I beg you to come and stay with me. " "I am much obliged, but I have no mind to stay here. " "Oh, no, no. I will not accept your refusal. " He directed his retainers to carry the physician’s belongings to his house, upon which his intended beneficiary made another effort to dissuade him, pointing out that his hospitable design was bound to involve him in trouble as two high officers of