198 FIND MY LODGINGS 



frequently brought me messages from the Negoos, 

 sometimes asking about my health, or wishing to 

 know if I required anything, "for was not Sahale 

 Selassee my father ? " to supply me with whatever 

 I wanted in his country. After one of these visits, 

 Walderheros put me in mind, that a house of my 

 own would be very desirable. A very decent one 

 was vacant in the town, and the owner had offered 

 to sell it to me for five dollars, but not having any 

 to spare, I was obliged to decline purchasing it. 

 Walderheros' suggestion, that I should ask the 

 Negoos to give me one, was a very sensible idea, 

 as I certainly felt I should be much more com- 

 fortable in a house I could call my own, without 

 interfering with the ways and the convenience of 

 others. Miriam was particularly anxious that I 

 should make myself as much " at home " with her, 

 as possible ; still I found, that Walderheros and 

 myself occupied the whole house, to the exclusion 

 of her and her two children. For the accommo- 

 dation thus afforded me, I paid a rent treble the 

 amount of what she would have received from any- 

 one else ; three ahmulahs a- week is considered a 

 most extravagant price for lodgings in Shoa, and I 

 gave Miriam two dollars a month, being ten 

 ahmulahs a-Aveek. Unfortunately for me, Lieut. 

 Barker had resided in the same house nearly four 

 months, and having always had a plentiful supply of 

 cash, I could see my economical house-keeping 

 greatly disappointed the expectation of Miriam's 



