Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/173

Rh beg of you to receive him hospitably, and to introduce him to the Most High with my respectful compliments." This note of introduction was buried with poor Didamji, and was no doubt taken by the deceased worthy on the day of resurrection, to Gabriel. And there can be no sort of doubt that "Brother Gabriel" did bring Didamji to the favourable notice of Allah, as Mrs. Adamji protested she had seen it all in a dream.

Adamji's life is a dead level of honesty,frugality, and simplicity—and so much the better for him. He is the thriftiest trader and shopkeeper in Gujarát. He begins life with selling matches, and generally ends with a substantial little establishment. In the beginning he can hardly earn one anna (1½d.) a day; and yet you will find Adamji lives happily, and saves something besides. I know of Adamji's countrymen maintaining themselves and their families on two annas a day. But however heavy the expenses, the income is never altogether squandered.

Adamji is prudent by instinct, but never miserly. In ninety cases out of a hundred he makes a true friend. Though gifted with a keen sense of the powers of money, he can make