Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/171



the close of his term of service, the zerdar, now a manra, or full citizen, was generally in haste to return home to claim the long-promised bride. For Utis, however, from causes already mentioned, there existed no such attraction to counteract the strong taste he had imbibed for travelling. Not living in idleness, be it understood: to maintain himself was regarded as the first duty of a man.

Whenever he arrived at a village where he purposed a halt, even for one night, he reported to an official appointed for the purpose. After inspecting the hook produced by the traveller, in which was a record of the places through which he had passed, the official showed the register containing the names of those in the vicinity desiring assistance.

No kind of labor was regarded as unbecoming, nor was any beyond the skill of a zerdar, after the training he had received. Without leaving the room, he could come to an arrangement, by telephone, with one of these employers, then step out, mount his curricle, and ride to the place indicated. There he was received as an expected

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