, 1874-02-08
THE KING AND THE BEGGAR
An Arab Story.

| BIZ BISHOP FERRETTE.
From Old aud Ne1o for Febyuary
1nere was once King, from among the King
OF Hind, who, on very hot summer-day, retire
TO an upper room for his aiesta after dinner. H
threw hi1nself on sofa, which occupied th
greater part Of a sort OF bay-window proiectip.
over the street, the like of which may be seen i,
many pictures Of Oriental houses; but the hea
was so intense on this burning afternoon, with
out a particle of breeze THAT he could neilhe
sleep
Soa EVEN COMFORTABLY REsT.
30 he clnpped his hands and servant came
tie ordered him to send two Circassian maids Il
fan him with fans made of os.rich-feathers,-
the one kneeling at the head, and the other Al
the loot, OF hls couch. They came but the,
had no sooner begun to discharge their dutiel
than he got tired OF them, and wanted some
thing else. So he sent them away and agar
clapped his hands.
"What does your Serene Highnesa com
mand?"
II don't know. Bring me-my black mare.
l will take ride. No, By the by, won't. Bring
me-what was going to say ?-the head OF the
Grand Mutt. No, the scoundrel deserves to be
beheaded when am not out OF temper.
GIVE NE Ut 1sksrASD,
and leave me alone'
So the Mamclu1e took the Kings silver ink
stand,- rlchly-chiseled flat tube for the reeds
used instead OF pens, With the ink-bot-
tie at one end OF it,-laid it on the
sofa beside tho King, retired few steps,
turned toward the King, crossed his arms
on his breast, saluted, md retired. The King
took the in&stand, opened it, closed it, threw it
with lmpatience against the wall at the other
end of the room, lay down, and again tried to
Eleep. but could not. He felt restless ali over !;
nnd his digestion was painful. He rose from
the sofa, picked the inkstand from the carpet
where it lay, took sheet Of paper md pair Of
Persian scissors from the shelf, and went back
to tho sofa, whero ho sat down. and began to
TRIn THE PArEn
preparatory to Writiag,-a preliminary operation
which Oricntals seldom omit.
When the sheet Of paper Was brought to q
shape to suit him, he began to write some words
With red Ink, and some with black. Oriental
Kings are generally very good calljSraphers, and
take daily lessons of cat1igraphy from = master
of that art, who is one OF their most habitual at
teudants. When he had written about three
lines, ho got displeased with them. So be
upon tho floor. Then, picking up one Of
the narrow slips about six inches long by ono
finger wide, which had fallen Off III trimming
the paper, he wrote upon it,
1.-THE WORLD IS 4 SHADOW AND A SHAM Ind
GAME oF WITs.-atnlul."
This latter word was his own namo~ Then he
rolled the slip OF paper round his finger, threw
it out Of the window, lay down again, tried to
sleep, and slept.
On that very came day, poor beggar, very
tired, as he came from very far,
not o friend. Hungry and thirsty and foot
so.e, he walked for some time through the burn
ing streets, which were all deserted at this time
as it was little after MONDAY, and every in
habtant was either at his dinner or at his siesta.
Finally, finding no ono to direct him,
He EAT DISCOURAGED
ut the foot of wall, where q bay-windoH over
hanging the street projected the most propitious
shade TINT could be seen for distance. He
oemoaned his fotloIn condition, and pondered
over his miserable prospects, when, 10! ACROSS
rom above his head, and falling ABOUT ten steps
rom the place where he was squatting. Would !
vas? Hardly worth the while. Still
4 Let us sce." said he; and he rose
painfully. walked footsorely stopped grooming
y. picked up the paper, c2me back to sit where I
ie had been, unrolled the paper, and read:
5 THE WORLD Il 4 SHADOW AND snAN AND 4 |
CANE OF wIrs-Ahmad"
t. He who wrote this must have been in ft Of |
'ad humor," said the begsar. . But who can be
Ills man Ahmad? Probably tho owner Of this t
,ouse. should like to ask"
The hour OF the sesta Was now over. Tho
treets began again to be crowded. The Bhops
rere opened; and people began to buy and to
ell, aud to lo and to quarrel, and to
/ IN article, and to offer the tenth
art Of the price demanded,-au tho ordi-
ary Incidents Of an Eastern bazaar. The beg
ar rose from his seat, aud asked a passer-by, !
Ia the name Of the owner Of this house
hmad ~
"speak not go loud" said tbs passer-by.
This house is the palace Of
oun LORD THE SULTAN, AHa1AD KHAN"
"God save thy tongue" said the beggar, tho
aual mode of thanking for piece Of inforna~
"The Sultan Ahrnad Khan!"' muttered the
e3gar to himself rs he walked along. '9So
ings and beggars haEe their bitter hours alike.
ct us, therefore, never be detected. This pa
sr is certainly an instruction to him who is ca
able Of being taught"
So he walked on along the bazaar, looking at
10 shops. When he passed before the cooks
lops, the smell of the yiands excited his
'petite, which did not require that eolici
tion but he passed OH !; for he had not the
lgntest coin to purchase anything. At Last he
opped before the shop Of q merchant whose
,nlgu countenance seemed to invite eVena beg +
It to speak, aud not to be afraid.
' What can I do for you, my lord ?" said the !
erchant to the beggar for Orientals are the :
nle OF politeness to everybody.
- with to ask said the boggar, whothar :
u know where could find
HOUSE IN THIS CITY TO RENT"
" What sort of house do you wish ?'' said the
erchant looking at tue lnquirer's poor ac- :
q The best that can be found in tho city," 9
id the bcsgar, who. perceiyng the impression
lich the latter words produced, quickly added. !:
way Of modest apology, 'save the house Of
+ Lord the Sultan, Ahmad Khan"
81 Then" said the merchant, '' the dress which =
u wear had surely at first led me to some mis- =
20 as to your real position. Excuse me il"
IL No excuse" said the beggnr. "1t |
entirely my fault. I should hayo
gun by explaining to you how came to wear !
$50 rags: but, having worn them now for t
roe days, have really come to be 30 accuB-
ned to them that I entirely forget to think Il
w much the sight Of them must scare others.
eed not say that I am not . beggar, but u
4 RICH 41EIOHAST,
o hare come IN advance Of my caravan. out of o
r that, should it be oyertaken by brigands, t.
,ldcs losing it, should myself be put to ran Il
il. have reached this city safely, thanks to II
disguise! Ny caravan will be here in four 81
Is; aud must Immediately hire house for u
self and carayansary for my camels. I in Y
d to make here long stay while I sell MY o
IDS. So, il any Of your acquaintance has a e.
LEG for rent suitable to my rank, be go kind as II
ct me know," :,
IL Ts-