Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-13

Enter this grotto. Abdal, +" said the monk,
"and bring me an old iron candlestick hav-
ing twelve arms which YOU will find hang
ing against the wall. but be care ul not 10
become blinded by the treasures you will
see. Think only of the candlestick and
bring IL 10 me at once"
The boy desS sSnded the marble steps, but
as soon as he saw the heaps Of gold aud pre-
cious stones cleaning in the glow of many
lamps, his love of gold caused him to forget
the commands OF the monk, and he began to
fill his pockets with the wealth about him.
While he was thus engaged the entrance OF
the cave closed with laundering noise, and
one by one the lamps went out until there
was utter darkness. Stricken with horror,
Abdal ran this way and that not knowing,
in his fright, which way TO turn. He felt
about for the candlestick. and just as he had
found IL and taken it rom its place against
the wall, he saw a aint glimmer o light.
Going in this direction, he discovered a mar
row, winding path leading out OF the cave.
But when he had come again into the bright
sunshine he was in IA strange land, and
neither the monk nor the cave were any
where TO be seen.
When or several hours he had wandered
about seeking in vain for his riend, ne was
astonished TO find himself in sight OF his
mothers cottage. from which he had sup
posed himself TO be hundreds miles dis
tant. Wnen he had entered and told OF his
adventures, he poured forth upon TIE table
the great wealth which he had taken from
the cave. The poor widow, believing her
son TO be a true and honest lad, thought the
monk had taken this way generously to re-
ward Abdal for his fidelity, and was re-
joicing over the riches, when suddenly they
disappeared; and although both mother and
son grasped after the gold and searched
every nook and corner OF the house, they
could find nothing OF their treasure. The
boy now understood that he was being pun
ished for his diSobedience, aud determined
that early the next morning he would go in
search of Abunadar. That night Abdal
placed the candle in the iron candlestick,
and as soon as he had lighted it, the figure
OF an old monk appeared from the flame and
began weird, fantastic dance, which lasted
over an hour. Then, having thrown a small
leaden bullet with great lOrce at Abdal, the
figure vanished.
A bdal then lighted IL candles, and at
once II similar images appeared, and per-
formed the same strange dance, throwing
the II bullets which narrowly escaped
striking the boy on the head. The widow
and her son, too astonished to speak, looked
on in silence. The next morning. carrying
the candlestck, Abdal began his journey to
Magrah, where Abunadar had said his
home was. Having reached the city he i'm
quired the way to the residence of the monk.
When the house was pointed ont to hi,d, he
said: "Surely, the people are mistaken,
and have not understood me. This is the
house of some great prince; not the home
OF a poor monk.
But when he sought entrance into the
royal palace the servant who opened the
door for him said: "Abdal, you are vel
l.. 1an ff,s,
you"
When Abdal had been shown into the
presence of the monk. Abunsdar, he bowed
low aud handed him the iron eahdlestiek,
saying Master, Atm now able TO prove
my hdelity aud obedience by bringing He=
e0fdihg 10 your commands this if6H candle
stick have Travelled lar with it, aHd eHs
dufed many hafdships in order that you
might Know NY willingness 10 serve you
Fof some time, AbuaadaF Looked search
ihgly ~ The boy, AHd then sAidI "Yau are
both ungfaielul aud disebedient, aud tried
10 rob ne 6f my wealth, Had you known
the value 6f this pandlastiek, you would
have kept " als6l aHd now ! shall show YOU
tomeihing which viii make you wonder"
lie then ordered slave to bring ~ wHI
oaHdlss, aud when he vas again alone with
tha boy, be placed them on the stand and
lighted them, Tue images Of the ~ monks
appeared aDd began their dance about the
oandleutiekh Abunadar then approached
aud touched with his hand each figure, and
Instead Oi throwing bullrta, the Images
showered diamonds over the monk.
"N0w," said Abunadar, "nre Won sur
prlsed that should wish TO have the old
Iron candlestiek2 II you doubt II, come and
ess my treasure chambers"
he then led the way through ~ large
rooms illed with untold wealth, while
Abdal regretted now more than ever his dis
obedience, and thoughts "ii am ever able
again 10 have this oandlestlok 10 my posses
slon, ! shall be more careful 70 keep Il, and