Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-02

What thinkest thou" said the slave, has
the impostor given to thy son his own name
and callingi II this be So ! know a way of
finding the truth which | shall unpart to
thee as profound secret" She whispered
some words to her mistress. who seemed
pleased and Immediately sent for the sultan.
Il accept thy decision" said she, but
would like to impose test of their skill and
neatness Another would probably have
them ride, fence or throw the spear This
everybody can do No, | require something
that needs clear perception for its fulfillment
| wish that both may make caftan and
pair OF trousers We shall see who does the
best"
The sultan went TO Labakan and asked him
to submit to the within OF his mother and try
his best at making a cafran, The latter
laughed in his sleeve and thought if that is
all that is required the lady sultana shall
be pleased with me,
Two rooms were prepared one for Omar
and one for Labakan. Silks. velvets and
other materials were supplied and the young
men were given two days for their work
At the expiration of the time the lady sent
for them In triumph Labakan entered and
spread his work before the astonlshed eyes Of
the sultan and his wife.
your court tailor surpass hist
The lady smiled and turned to Omar; And
what hast thou done, my sonf'
Contemptuously he replied: Il was taught
the handicraft Of soldier and the work Of a
tailor was not included in Elf Bey's instruc-
tons"
Pardon, my husband and lord" said the
lady turning to the sultan, Il have employed
craft and cunning against thee. Dost thou
not see who is prince and who is tailor, For
the caftan is magnificent, and would ask of
thy son who taught him"
The sultan thought deeply and said: Even
this suiiiceth not But know, praise Allah,
q means to ascertain whether | am deceived
or not"
He mounted a fleet horse and rode to for.
est near by, where dwell a fairy, Adelaide
who had befrended the kings, his ancestors,
on many occasions She lived in the heart of
the forest in a secluded spot seldom disturbed
by man The sultan stood in the center Of
the glade and said in loud voice:
Thou hast helped my fathers, o Fairy,
condescend also to assist their unworthy sonin
The words had scarcely been said when
there appeared before him lady in flowing
white robes, who said II know why thou
CONTEST, Sultan Saaud, but thy wishes are
honorable, therefore thou shalt be helped
Take these two baskets, and let the rivals
choose The right one will choose right"
She handed him two Baskets of gold, on
whose lids were Inscriptions in diamonds
They were Honor and Glory" and "Happi-
ness and Riches, The sultan considered that
even he himself would have difficulty in Sc
Letting, the legends being equally tempting.
The caskets wers duly placed upon IA table
n front M the, throne and the " hob.
was assembled. Labakan was summoned and
no appeared proud as usual, and awaited his
fathers commands The sultan said. In
order to remove the doubt that surrounds thy
claim. thou must choose one Of these caskets
Do SO, my son, and he fearlessl"
L.abakan replied Honored father, there
can he no greater happiness than that Of be-
ing thy son, nor greater wealth than the pos
session Of thy love choose Happiness and
Riches
Omar was then summoned and asked to
choose, lie read the inscriptions and said
Recent events have proved huw uncertain
is happiness. how ileeting riches They have
also taught me that in the bosom Of the brave
there lives an imperishable quality honor
And, come wuat may, | choose Honor and
Glory"
Perfect silence reigned over that large as
sembly as the sultan arose and said Raise
the lids" But no action was necessary The
lids, which had resisted all attempts to stir
them, few open Of their own accord, and
Omar's box containing small golden crown
and scepter-Iabakan's large nee.iie and
some thread The sultan took the crown
from its casket, and wonderful to relate 1t
began to grow until it had reached full size,
and he placed il on Omars head To I.abakan
no said
Had not one whom thou hast wrunged In.
terceded for thee thou woultlst suffer But
be advised and tarry not here Get thee from
my land"
Renorseful and ashamed I.abaknu fell at
Omar's feet and said ''Canst thou forgiven
One Of the chief dictates Of honor and
glory is mercy to ones revilerS," said tho
prince depart In p nee ~ Adapted from
the German by Edwin n Mayer