The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

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he rescued the poor woman and drove
the fishermen away.
cart hurt, mother?" he asked, kind
ly, STOPPING to raise the decrepit crea-
ture from the earth.
''Help me to the sea-" she answered,
81 have boat there and shall not fear
then. Thank you, you are very kind"
They walked down to the shore to-
gether. where Mahmoud found boat
under clump of palms. He was 60
ing to assist her to unmoor it, but she
stepped into the water and all
at once he became conscious of
great change in his COM
panion. A bright light shone
all about him; at first he thought
it was the moon rising whose beams
kindlod such an illumination. But in
moment he knew it was not that. Be-
fore him he saw, not wretchedly
dressed, feeble old woman, but a superb
ly beautiful maiden, clad in diaphanous
robes, who seemed to float upon the
waves. The bright light was the "a
dance emanating from her crown.
"Mahmoud, son of ALL" she said, in
a sweet voice, "know that ! am Danea,
the fairy of the sea. You have done me
great service. l have long been
cognizant of thy industry and the care
thou hast shown thy aged parents.
Thy good qualities as well as thy gen
erous deed tonight deserve q reward.
Come down with me beneath the sea,
where the splendor of my home will
dazzle thee and there will be no labor
for thy hands to do. Wilt thou Gomez"
Now Mahmoud was like many other
young people, easily led astray, if only
the right temptation was placed before
him. The reason why he had been so
steady before was because he had never
been subjected to that temptation to
which he was most susceptible. He should
have answered mo, atonce, but he dilly-
dallied, muttered something about his
parents anxiety at his absence and how
they depended on him for their daily
food.
"Nay, they will not suffer-" said the
fairy. "Thou shalt return in three days
if thou wilt Only come with me now
and behold the splendors of my king
DOM
He turned to look for the towers of
Bassorah, hoping to see the roof of his
little cottage, but the palm trees stood
between with their waving branches.
The fairy stood waiting, her beautiful
eyes beseeching him, her white arms
reckoning him. He could not resist the
spell. civil 90 with thee he said,
casting his fears behind him.
So the fairy took his hand, and strik-
ing the waves with her wand, they both
sank far below What broad, roomy
kingdom it was in the bottom of the
sea among the corals and waving
grasses and glistening pearls! A new
world of marvel and delight was opened
to the eyes of the wondering fisherman.
He was surrounded by paradise Of de-
lights. Grottos of surprising beauty
and extent were filled with every splen-
dor that could tempt the senses. The
most ravishing music arose from un-
seen orchestras. The most delicious
viands were placed before him at every
meal. His couch was of purple-colored
sponges decorated with the finest sea-
weeds. Maidens of Incompatible love-
illness performed the commands of their
queen and waited upon his every wish.
No king in all the world could have been
served more sumptuously.
Two days passed in this manner, and
Mahmoud began to think of home. He
knew his old father and mother were
grieying at his absence, and his heart
misgaye him. On the third day he So
licited leave Of the fairy to depart from
her dominions and return to his old en-
ployment at Bassorah.
She frowned little at his evident
WEAKNESS Of her hospitality. "Mor-
tal," she said, ''thou art foolish to wish
to return to earth again and to your
daily labor, but your desire shall be
gratitiedn
At parting she put into his hands a
golden casket and q key.
Take this" she said, 'as the gift Of
the fair Danea, but never open it, I beg
you, for your life, till the very worst
happens. The consequences will be
graver than you think if you disobey
me. Mahmoud, son of Ali, you are on
the waters before Bassorah again. /"
He looked around him, and saw that
he was in boat not far from the shore.
The lights of Bassorah twinkled among
the palm and citron groves. Silently
he rowed ashore and sought to find his
humble stall, which he had left three
days before. To his surprise he found
the site occupied by magnificent palace.
Determined to learn who had thus Tres
passed upon his property, he knocked
loudly at the gate. Before any of the
servants appeared in response to the
summons, night Waterman came
along, and demanded to know why he
made so great disturbance.
II would like to know why this pal
ace has been built ON my land!"
"Who are you?' asked the aston ished
guard.
"Mahmoud Ben Ali. Three days age
l left my shop standing on this very
ground. Now this palace stands here
and my shop has been demolished"
.'Verily, you are mad" exclaimed the
officer. This palace has stood hert
more than fifty years. You must g
before the cadi, if you persist in telling
story like this"
In the presence of that officer he
told the same story, but, of course,
no one believed him.
II will have my rights!m cried Nah
mould, II will appeal to SULLIVAN, the
Caliph.
"Why, man, you are stark crazy
Almanin, son of the great Haroun, il
the Calinh now. Snliman has beer