Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-12-31
The G2'eNfeSt Of the Genie.
STORY NOT In THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

Once-a man whose name shall
he Nameless-was digging in tho
ground his spade struck a hare
substance, and he said to himself
1 have found either a big stone OF
a big box Of treasure.' The pro-
liabilities, however, were in favor
OF the former supposition; and he
went leisurely on, removing the
earth around the obstacle, until he
ascertained that it was a bottle.
A stone bottle-neither punchy
plebeian stout bottle, nor a slender
aristocratic champagne bottle, but
a coarse earthen ware receptacle,
for whatever fluid OF substance it
might contain. Nameless exanlin-
ed his prize with some care, and
saw it was carefully and heavily
sealed. It was not however, the
golden seal of Solomon which was
stamped upon the vessel-it was
the seal Of the tyrant Persecution,
first borne Of Ignorance. The de-
vice was a heavy icy hand, dashing
out Of golden spark Of light, and
it was struck sinluster]ess lead.
Nameless looked curiously at the
bottle, and Held it up between him
and the light. Its contents were
dark but somehow the sunbeams
shone with a warm power through
their murkiness. Foiled in CRAFTY,
ing his curiosity by this means,
like child with a shell, Nameless
held the vessel to his ear. And he
was not disappointed-hc heard a
low murmur half-forlned words
and broken expressions blended to-
gether-an indefinite hmm, like the
distant roaring Of a crowd, or the
voice of swelling sea pent by tyran-
nous winds within a narrow strait.
II At first fear came upon Name.
less: yet he listened entranced..
The murmurs within the bottle
seemed to be answered from the
depths Of his soul. He did not
speak but he felt strange workings
and yearuings within him and an
awful conciousness grew up in his
mind, that subtle spirit in his
brain was conversing with the SUBJ
tic spirits in the carthen ware YES
sci.
His first impulse was to fly; his
second to tear away the sealof Per.
secution--and the second prevailed.
One wrench settled the business ;
and Nameless somewhat astonished
at his own tcmerity, started inst:nc-
lively back as he set the open bottle
upon the ground.
However, nothing very alarming
ensued.-Only black fluid came
trickling over the mouth of the
bottle at fist it tiny veins, but soon
like the water Of gushing we'll.
Namcless was looking on con-
founded, when he heard himself
called. Starting up, he stood face
to face with figure, such as he had
never seen before. 1t was strange
and indefinite, but an awful form.
Nameless could hardly tell whether
it was man or woman; tor its face
had the majesty Of one sex: the
sweetness Of the other. On its
head was a crown; in its hand, in
guise Of a scepter, goose feather
Nameless wondered giously at
the curious properties Of this last
symbol; ; for one moment it seemed
a rod Of iron, inhexible, unyielding
and armed with a keen and tran
chant point ; anon, appeared sup |
pie, shining reed, decorated with
bunch ofdowny fbers, which, when
brushed about peoples ears, would |
made them laugh in spite OF them
selves.
'Nameless,' said the Genie, 4 am
ree?'
'Since when were you confined |
lin that bottle?' rejoined his deli
verer.
Since time was time.'
And how long will you be
free g
Until time be time no more.'
Il am not afraid ofyou,' said
Nameless, I feel that you are a
mighty Genie, but good one.'
'Look at what | have already
done, said the Genie.
And Namaless was stalled to