Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/205

Rh fame of his skill. One day a missionary sent for the image-maker. He came. Said the padré to the kummarlen, 'I have a job for you; I want you to grave me an image.' 'Let the gentleman give his order, and it shall be done,' said the kummarlen. 'Not now,' replied the padré; “I will call you when I am ready.' The next time the missionary met him, he asked, “Can you carve me the image of which I spoke?' Only let master tell what is to be carved, and it shall be done,' answered the man. But,' said the padré, 'it must be like the original; if it is, you shall be well paid; you shall have a hundred rupees, if you wish it.' “Never fear! cried the kummarlen; it shall be done.' Very good!' answered the missionary; 'just carve for me an image of my immortal soul, and bring it to me.' ‘Arda-appah!’ exclaimed the man, clapping his hand upon his mouth in astonishment—‘Arda-appah! your soul! how can I do that?’ and turning, he was soon out of sight.

“And now," you continue, “casting a searching glance around the attentive crowd, “if you cannot make a likeness of the soul of a poor pitiful worm, yesterday born, to-morrow gone, how, how will you make a likeness of the