The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-05-04
THE FALSE PRINCE.

Once there lived in Alexandria a Young
5ourneyman tailor named I.abakan. who was
employed by skillful master He was
neither poor workman, nor was he lazy
Still, there seemed to be something wrong
with him. for while at times he sewed so
diligently that his needle and thread became
hot and threw off smoke he, on other occa.
sions, would sit lost in meditation his face
wearing so peculiar an expression that his
master and comrades were wont to remark
"Labakan again wears his aristocratic
face!"
On Fridays, instead of going directly home
from prayer he would don his finest garments
and with Il proud stride would strut through
the streets and public places, and answer the
Peace be with thee' of his friends with a
condescending wave of his hand.
One day as Selim, the brother of the sultan.
was passing through Alexandria he sent
very magnificent garment which needed GER
tam repairs to the tailor, who intrustcd it to
Labakan as his most reliable assistant
That evening, after the young man had
quit work. he was driven by an Irresistible
longing to return and admire the gorgeous
colors and rich embroidery of the royal dress
The temptation to put it on was great, and he
was delighted to find that it fitted him per
fectly
WHO is more entitled to wear this than IL"
he exclaimed THE master himself has said
that was born to be prince!"
One day, she plodded along country road
mounted upon his decrepit Murva, he was
Joined by horseman, who begged for the
pleasure of his company The stranger was
ajoyous young man, handsome and of engag.
ing manners. They were soon chatting ia
miliarly, and I.abakan learned that he was
Omar. the nephew of Elf Bey, the bassa OF
Cairo, and was now Fastening to fulfill be.
hest OF his uncle, with which the latter had
charged him on his death bed Labakan
merely hinted at being of noble descent and
of travelling for pleasure
Their intimacy increased and on tho second
day. III answer to Labakan's inquiries, Omar
gave him this strange Information;
Omar had never known his parents aud had
been raised from infancy by Eli Bey Upon
the latter's flight. induced by mortal wounds
received in battles, he had disclosed to Omar
that he was not his nephew, but the son of
mighty ruler, who, in fear of the prophecies
of his astrologers, had removed the young
prince from his court with the vow never
dsa!. to see him until the atter's 22d birth.
day.
Elf Bey had not spoken the name OF
Onar's father. but had strongly impressed
upon him to be ut the we'll known column OF
El-Serujah on the fourth day of the coming
month, Ramadan, Oh which date he would be
~ years old There arrived, he was to hand
to- man. among several whom he would
find at the column, dagger, with the words
l,rt. -
were praised be the Prophet that hath
protected thee." he was to follow them and
be conducted to his father
Omar's story filled l.abakan with envy
Although comparisons between himself and
the prince were not unfavorablc to the lat.
ter, he felt that he himself would DC more
welcome to tho royal father than the real
heir
That night he fell asleep broodins over this
thought, and as he awoke in the morning and
bcheld Omar sleeping peacefully he con
ceived the idea of acquiring by cunning or
forco that which destiny had denied him
He gently drew the dagger of which Omar
had spoken from the owners girdle, and
raised it to plunge it in his breast, but 4 e
thought of murder mortified him, and he hid
the dagger on his own person, and mounting
the ileeter steed )f his companion. he had
gained several miles before Omar awoke and
found himself robbed of all his expectations
AT the end of the second day of the month
of lanadan l4abakan perceived El-Serujah
nj Il distance Of eight or nine miles His
heart beat painfully. but the thought that he
was born to bc a prince strengthened his re
solves and he encampra there AT noon on
the following day he saw a long tram of
horses and ramclS going towards El-Serujah
The caravan halted at the foot of the hill on
which the column was situated and the mag
nticence of tue appointments testified to its
being the retinue of II great prince
The sun on the following morning awakened
l,iG, and he realized that he was about to
take tho most important step of his life AS
he saddled his horse in order to ride to the
column he became conscious of the extreme
injustice Of his course. and thought OF the
disappointment Omar would experience But
the die was cast. it was impossible to rctrace
his steps, and his self love told him that his
appearance was doubtless stately enough to
impress the father Encouraged by these re-
Elections he spurrcd on his horse and in short
time reached the hill.
He disnounted and walked up the hill
holding the dagger in his hand. At the base
Of the column lie perceived seven ;nen, one of
them of exalted and royal mien His mag
nilicent gold embroidered caftan, partly hid
den 10y u white cashmere shawl, and his white
bejewelcd turban denoted him to be man Of
weaIth and station Labakan approached
him, and noklng a profound obcisance while
presenting the dasaaet. he said
81 am he whom sc seek.
praised l,e the prophet that hath protected
thee'" responded the old man, with tears in
1, f,fi, |
loved sou. Omar
The poor tailor was much touched 10y thee
words and with mixture of joy and sham,
he sank INTO the extended arms But for 4;
monen, only As !.c raised himself from the
embrace. lie saw a rider ana steel approach
ny The horse appeared unable OF unwilling
to advance In a stumbling walk it slowly
came on. the rider urging it with hands and
feet
l.ahakan soon recognized his sorry nag
Murva and the real Omar But tho evil
spirit of lying had taken possession Of him
and he resolved whatever might happen to
present a brazcn front The rider threw him
self from his horse and dashed up the hill
Stop" he cried, stop whoever SO may
De, and he not deceived by a shameless cheat
w name is Omar and let no mortal dare to
misuse it.
Great surprise showed itself on the faces of
all presrnt The old man particularly ap
pcared struck. anu gaZed from one to the
other of tho young men IN questioning
manner But I.abakan SAID. with. forced com
posure
Gracious sir and father. be not misled by
this person, whom | know to be an insane
tailor from Alexandria, named Labakan. He
deserves rather our pitv than our anger"