Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-04-26
CALIPH ST0RK.

Burlington Free Press.
CALIPH ST0RK.
One pleasant afternoon the Caliph Chasid,
of Bagdad, sat smoking his rosewood pipe
and stroking his beard apparently .i,a good
humor. Every day at this time ~ was his
custom to receive the Grand Vizief Manson;
so on this occasion he also came, but his face
bore an unusual and pensive expression. The
caliph removed his pipe and said:
'Grand vizier, what is it that troubles
theeg'
The grand vizier crossed his arms and bow
ing before his master he answered:
81 know not that appear troubled, but at
the gate there stands merchant who offers
such beautiful wares that feel provoked at
being poor man."
The caliph, who had long desired an oppor'
tunity to give his minister a pleasant sur
prise, desired the man to be brought up.
The merchant was fat little man with
dark face and dressed in rags, while on his
back he carried box containing pearls
rings, silver mounted pistols, vases and
combs, besides good stock of rich stuffs.
The Caliph Chasid, after examining every
thing, finally bought for himself and Manson
two pairs OF beautiful pistols, and for the
latter's wife a comb Suddenly the caliph
spied little drawer, and asked what it con-
tanned. The merchant opened the drawer
and took therefrom box which held dark
powder and a manuscript in a strange Ian
guage, which neither Chasid nor Manson had
ever seen before.
'They were sold to me by vender in
Mecca, said the man, land as place little
value upon them they are at thy disposal for
a trife."
The caliph, who was something of book
worm, bought the box and contents and dis
missed the man. Feeling a curiosity to know
what the characters On the scroll might
mean he asked the grand vizier whether he
knew of anybody able to decipher the writ
ing.
''My lord and MASTER" he answered, ''near
the great mosque there lives Selim the
Learned, who knows all languages; perhaps
he can help thee"
Soon the wise Selim appeared; he bowed
and exclaimed: 'Thy will be done, O caliph!"
Long he examined the manuscript and then
suddenly spoke: "This is Latin, my lord; I
wager my headl"
The caliph spoke: ''Then read, mani"
Selim began: "Thou man, who fintlest this
scroll, praise Allah for his mercies! Whoever
shall snuff of the powder in the box and shall
exclaim 'Mutabor' may be transferred into
any animal and become familiar with its
language. Should he desire again to become
himself, he must bow three times to the east
and speak the word. But beware that he
laugh not, for then would he forget the word
and forever remain beast!"
The caliph was overjoyed. He dismissed
Selim the Learned with rich gift and ex-
claimed to Manson: .,-.y---
"Early in the morning come thou to me.
We will then wander about take some of the
powder and hear what is said in the air, in
the water, in the forest and in the fields"
Betimes the next day Manson appeared be-
fore his master, who, after placing the box
in his girdle and commanding his people not
to follow, started with his minister on the
stroll. Manson remembered pond some
distance off where he had frequently seen
number of storks majestically deporting
themselves, and suggested paying them
visit
The caliph agreed and they approached
the pond. They observed one old fellow
pacing up and down with great dignity,
probably seeking meal of frogs, and all the
while communing with himself in stork. An
other stork was floating gracefully in the air
at some height, also in quest of his breakfast.
"By my beard, my master, fancy these
two long legs are holding sprightly CONVEX
sation. Say, how were it were we storks?"
"Well said" replied the caliph, 'but first
let us once more repeat our instructions how
to become ourselves again. All, SO. Bow
three times to the east and say 'Mutabor'
But for mercy sake no laughing, or we re-
main beasts"
Quickly he drew from his pocket the box,
took some of the powder and supplied the
grand vizier. Then both cried "Mutabor,n
and behold! their limbs shrank and became
thin and red, their arms changed to wings,
their necks became a yard long and their
bodies were covered with soft feathers After
long establishment the caliph said: "What
beautiful bill thou hast, Manson; by the
Prophets beard, such sight l have never
before SEEM"
By this time the flying storB had alighted
and approached the other and our friends
heard the following:
'Good morning, Madam Longlegs; out so
early?"
"Thanks, dear Rattlebill, Pm looking for
my breakfast May offer piece of lizard,
or would frogs leg be more to your tasteg
"Really, my dear, 1 have no appetite this
morning, My object is u different one. To-
day am to dance before my fathers guests,
and came down to practice a little before
hand"
No sooner said than DONE But the strange
gyrations of this bird dancer were too much
for the gravity of our friends, and they
burst into an uncomfortable fit of laughter.
Then it occurred to Manson that mirth dur
ing the transformation was dangerous, and
he impaired his apprehensions to the caliph
ttRv Mecca and MadiOo cold ba bat
were bad joke were we unable to become
men again! But the world can't Think
"Mu-mu-mu'- They bowed to the east
innumerable times, but the word was not
forthcoming Caliph Chasid and Manson
remained storks!
Sadly they wandered through the fields
Back to town they could not return for who
would know OF believe them? Thus several
days passed in agony and suffering, for their
natures were unchanged and frogs and lizards
still far from being delicacy. They were
able to fly, however, and frequently they
Travelled to Bagdad, where. from convenient
roofs, they saw what was going on.
At first there appeared much evidence Of
sadness in the streets, but on the fourth day
they witnessed a gorgeous pageant approach
ing the palace. On bejeweled horse sat a
young man in a gold embroidered crimson
mantle, at whose feet all Bagdad fell and
exclaimed:
s'All hail, Mira, caliph of Bagdad!"
The two storks on the roof looked at each
other, and Chasid said:
This Mira is the son of my enemy. the
powerful magician Kashnur, who has sworn
vengeance on me. For this am | transformed.
But come!"
They rose and flew towards Medina Night
came and they saw not far away a ruin A
near inspection showed it to have been
stately castle, and they wandered through its
lofty halls Suddenly Manson whispered:
"a grand vizier, and stork at that,
should not fear ghosts, but methinEs hear
groans."