The Saline County journal., 1891-06-18
ALL.

frugality Of the mighty Omar; and the
HAroun-el Raschid Of Bagdad is vastly
different from the Akbah. whose fanatic
advance only the hesving waves Of the
Atlantic were able to hinder.
The Caliph Abulfeda had succeeded
his father, whose desire TO gather the
gold Of the then known world into Bag
dad, without expending It for any pur-
pose, had put the youthful prince TO
many disadvantages, and fostered in him
the desire to do otherwise when he
would succeed to the mantle of the
prophet. Therefore when his own sons
were choosing their ends or pleasures
the Caliph Abulfeda was always ready
10 forward or indulge them.
Among the youngest Of his many chill
dren was Ali. For years he had brooded
over and planned on the idea of a won
derful edifice that he hoped in time to
construct OF all the magnificent struc-
lures it had been his privilege as a son Of
the Commander Of the Faithful 10 see,
none was in all things the perfection Of
which the young prince dreamed. There
fore. on the death Of his father, the
prince began the building Of the long de
ferred happiness
In time there arose on the banks Of
the river the most wonderful architect
ural dream that even that magic age
and that wonderful city had produced.
Yet to the prince 1t was unfinished;
something was yet lacking to make 1t
the abode Of perfect pleasure.
One evening the prince was saunter-
ing along one Of the most magnificent Of
the curiOusly carved arcales Of the pal
ace when n voice called his name:
prince Ali! son Of Abulfedai Prince
Ali son Of Abulfeda!'
The young prince glanced quickly
around on all sides, but beheld no one
except the silent sentinels on guard
around the palace and the picturesque
horsemen that, at little distance, rode
slowly back and forth rs safeguards
against approaching danger.
Again came the voice:
prince Ali son Of AbulfedaI Prince
Ali sou Of AbulfedaT'
Quick as n fash the prince drew the
splendidly ornamental and equally splen-
didly tempered blade at his side and
stood ready TO face any opponent
But IL was unnecessary. Before him
stood an old man, bowed and whitened
by the sOrruws and trials Of many years
His dress and manner also distinguished
him as belonging to some other period.
Prince Ali son Of Abulfedal' he
began.
lam assented Prince Ali, scarcely
knowing whether to tower up 10 his full
height and answer with the pride he felt
in his noble name, or acknowledge his
inferiority before higher power.
81 know you, know you" answered
the aged man. IL knew your honorei
father and your fathers fathers, and
q supernatural expression spreading over
his yisage-''and | stood side by side
with the prophet himself in many q
dearly won fight with the enemies Of
the only true belief. But I wrUnged
him. | did him an injustice, and there
fore is my slumbsr in the tomb dis
turbed. When the Commander Of the
Faithful, or one Of his children, has an
earnest longing or desire, /, or some
other who has wrOnged the prophet, Is
called from the tomb. in answer to their
prayers.
"Prinoe Ali son Of Abulfedal What
is thy desirey'
The prince thereupon began at the
birth Of his hope for the possession Of an
architectural wonder, and related all un-
til its completion.
81 understand I understandr' cried
the old man, slowly beckoning the prince
to silence. "YOu have exhausted your
worldly knowledge in attempting TO sue
ceed to happiness, in gratifying your de-
sire, and have failed? Is il not as | say?,
at is" answered the prince, land
now yearn for something beyond the
power Of man to accomplish or under
stand"
BE IL then as you desire" answered
the aged father. behold this staff. Ask
not from whence it came, nor discover
the mystery to any living man, until i
return for its possession"
The prince took the staff and looked il
curiously over, but nothing extrsortii-
nary occurred. Seeing his expectancy
The aged man continued:
"The followers Of the good man Jesus,
whom the Christians believe, and the
worshipers Of the stars and moon, and
he elements. and other works and do /
ngs Of the one and only God-for there
. but one God, and Mohammed Is his |
images beautiful 10 be-
1old, yet far from the handiwork Of the |
,reator. To rs II forbidden such i'm |
Ages. Would you Gil the structure you |
rave built with more wonderful images,
,eyond the construction or understand. /
ng of mankindY'
81 wOuldl l wouldr' exclaimed the
,rince, delighted with the expectation
THE power is In your hand an
wered the strange visitor, and vanished.
For several minutes the prince stood
= II awakened from Q dream. But not
ong, for just at that moment . young
1rl, favorite with the prince, came on
iptoe behind him. EOiselessly, as the
Oft breeze that scarce moved the dark
Iair that fell uncontrolled over her white
houlders, she crept up. and was about 10
lasp her small hands over his eyes,
Then the prince, seeing the shadow, and
xcited by the strange visitor who had
1st LEFT him, wheeled Suddenly around,
nd In doing 80 touched the laughing
irl with his staff.
As . statue Of the whitest marble, she
tood before him.
As the prince stood wondering at the
iagic power Of the apparently common
lace staff, courier approached in al
aste with . message from q distant
rovince governed By . very desr friend
I Prince Ali.
Ths bFesthleS Messenger fen on his
,ce before the prince. and after salam-
q after the manner Of the day and re-
1vering breath enough 10 SPEAK, he
egged the pardon Of the prince for first
racting . promise of secrecy In regard
, The matter upon which he had been
'rl it bsing his masters special order.