The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-28
THE SEARS MASCOT
a Boy Who Spends 100000 Year.
His Surroundings.


In the capital OF Persia wonderful stories
are told about little boy only II years Old
son of Gen Mirz Makhmade Kahn, who
| some years ago held an unimportant posi-
ton in the Persian empire. Makhmads
Kahn is at present court minister. and TO
| bis little son, Azis Z. Sultan, he IS indebted
/ Tor HIS exalted position. The boy AXIS is a
great faVcIIte with the shah, whose COM
ponion he Was during tie latter'S
! European tolr. At that time the
| shsh'S devotion 30 his little favorite
was much commented upon by the pres
sn5 pubic. This lucky boy is treated like
| miniature shah. The court officials are
/ Obliged to show him the greatest respect,
| aud are in constant dread of losing his good
| will, knowing well to lose his favor would
be equal % losing the favor Of the shah
! himself. Ais has bis own court, conducted
| on a scale Of oriental magnificeDce, and
| all his surroundings are the most luxurious
1 the Imagination can picture. Limitless
| wealth is at his command to procure
| every desired luxury His stables are filed
! with beautiful Arabian horses, while his
| carriage house contains every conceivable
kind of vehicle, large aGd small-all most
| artisticslly ornamenCe Ted and very expensive.
! Twelve rooms ID the snahS palace are de-
voted to the boys use. Their appointments
are exQuisItely beautiful; valuable rugs
| cover the floors, tie hangings are of rare
old tapestry. while statuettes mirrors,
vases and unique music boxes are placed in
available positions.
Marble fountains filed with goldfish,
swimming ceaselessly within their narrow
confines. are among the chief delights of
this favored child All kinds of singing
birds, native aud foreign, pour forth their
sweet warnings from numerous golden
cages The reception hall is a large apart
ment furnished in truly Oriental style. The
backs Of the chairs are Of gold. the uphol-
stery of purple velvet embroidered in gold
in various designs, birds and flowers
finding the greatest favor in the
young masters eyes. Situated in different
parts OF the hail are three fountains, the
waters of which sparkle like dew, and their
gentle dripping seems fitting accompani-
ment TO the solemn splendors of the scene.
Beautiful, soft, yelvety rugs, the product
Of the rich Persian looms, party conceal
the highly polished floor. Que room is
devoted exclusively to toys, and every
nation On the globe has contributed its
quota 10 this part Of the child's amusement
The most expensive and rarest toys made
are here found in abundance. A miniature
armory has also been fitted up with all
kinds Of firearms. Guns, pistols, sabers
with beautifully jewelsd hits, and even still
ettos IN velvet cases, are ranged around the
room. One apartment IS given up to the
| use OF two strange guests, kept for the en-
tertalnment Of the young potentate. They
are the two little dwarfs, hideously ugly but
withal very amusing Two young negro
boys occupy another room; they are the
same age as their young master, and are his
playmates. For Axis f. Sultan a small!
garden has been laid out, which contains a
white marble fountain n little pond well
stocked with tiny members of the finny
tribe, and some rare tropical plants and
trees under the shade Of which this lucky
boy plays or rests with his little com
panions.
The yearly expenses of the shah's young
tavorlte amount TO 1900, 900 francs. Many
orders and distinctions have been conferred
upon the boy, and he has been given also a
very fine portrait OF his illustrative patron,
mounted in large white diamonds of the
purest water. In the army Axis has been
raised to the rank Of marshal. The shah
has become so attached to this boy that he
seldom permits him to go out of his pres
ence. de bestows more affection on him
than on his own children, who, according to
court etiquette, on meeting their father
| have to stand before him with hands
| clasped as ii in prayer until he gives the
customary signal for them to approach.
| With Axis it is different; he is received at
all times without ceremony. and embraced
and kissed by the shah
He does whatever he pleases in his pres
ence, exhibiting the utmost freedom in
jumping, dancing, singing and telling
stories, in the latter of hich he is an adept
A council of ministers es not in the least
awe this young gentleman, and he does not
hesitate to play pranks on such august per-
sonages wnen the humor seizes him.
One time@ when the shah went
hunting he left his favorite behind
him at the palace. Tie youngster
became unmanageable. turning over
chairs tables and anything. that cane
in his way-in fact he literally turned
things topsy-turvy. One of the ladies Of
the harsm, becoming exasperated at his
conduct, scolded him severely Being I'M
accustomed to such harsh treatment, Axis
took refuge in a corner Of the apartment,
aud there the shah found MIN on his return,
sobblng as though his young heart would
break. The shah was furiously angry that
any enc would presume TO NEEDLE with his
favorlte during his absence, aud repri-
manded the officious lady who had caused
the child such sorrow. Since that time
whenever the shah goes hunting he always
takes Axis with him.
The toys hunting costume consists of
richly embroidered pantaloons and Jacket,
the latter confined to the waist by a
jeweled belt. His cap is of the richest fur.
Surrounded by pages, he Is always III close
proximity to the Shah's person.
The following story is told in connection
with this singular case of favOritism: It is
said that Ais when only child Of years
sprang into the shahs arms and cluug so
closely to him that when the hour
for retiring came he could not free
himself from the boys embraces, and
was prevented from seeking the couch he
had INTENDED. This strange conduct on
the part of the :,hild aroused within shah's
mind suspicion that all was not right, aud
| be ordered the servants to examine the bed
in which he intended to sleep The result
was that large poisonous snake was found
| coiled within the sheets, ready to sink its
death dealing fangs into the first intruder
who should disturb its repose. From that
hour the shah has looked upon the boy as
his mascot" his lucky star, preventing
him from evil and bringing him only good
luck and prosperity. This is believed 10 be
the true cause of the shah's infatuation,
and for his dislike Of being separated from
! Axis E. Sultan.
COUNTESS NORRAIKOw.
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