Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-06-04
HE SAVED THE SHAH.
WONDERFUL LUCK OF A PER-
SIAN PEASANT LAD.
When Three Years Old He Jumped Into
the Shah's Arms and Would Not
Let Goa Snake Found
In the Royal Couch.

In the capital of Persia wonderful
stories are told about little boy only
eleven years old. the son Of a peasant
VINO some years ago held an unimpor-
tant position in the Persian empire
Makhmade Kahn is at present a court
minister and to his little son Axis F..
Sultan. he is indebted for his exalted
position. The boy Ais is a great
1avorlte with the shah, whose compan-
ion he was during the latter's Euro
pean tour. At that time the shah's
devotion to his little favorite was much
commented on by the press and public.
This lucky boy is treated like min
iattre shah The court officials are
obliged to show him the greatest re-
spect, and are in constant dread of
losing his good will, knowing well to
lose his favor would be equal to losing
the favor OF the shah himself
Axis has his own court conducted on
scale of oriental magnifcence, and
all his surroundings are the most lux
urlous the imagination can picture
Limitless wealth is at his command to
procure every desired luxury. Twelve
rooms in the shah's palace are devoted
to the boys use. Their appointments
are exquisitely beautiful. Marble
fountains filled with gold fish, SWIM
ming ceaselessly within their narrow
confines, are among the chief delights
of this favored child. All kinds of
singing birds, native and foreign, pour
forth fhair
numerous golden cages. The recep-
ton hall is large apartment furnish
| ed in truly oriental style. The backs
OF the chairs are of gold, the upholstery
OF purple velvet embroidered in gold in
various designs, birds and flowers find
ing the greatest favor in the young
masters eyes. Situated in different
parts OF the hall are three fountains.
One room is devoted exclusively to
toys, and every nation on the globe
has contributed its quota to this part
of the child's amusement. The most
expensive and rarest toys made are
here found in lavish abundance. A
miniature armory has also been fitted
up with all kinds of firearms. One
apartment is given up to the use of
two strange guests, kept for the en-
tertainment of the young potentate.
They are 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 a small garden has been laid
ont, which contains q white marble
fountain, little pond we'll stocked
with tiny members of the tinny tribe,
and some rare tropical plants and
trees under the shade of which this
lucky boy plays or rests with his little
companions.
The yearly expenses of the shah's
young favorite amount to 5000. 900
francs. Many orders and distinctions
have been conferred upon the boy, and
he has been given a very fine portrait
of his illustrious patron, mounted in
large white diamonds of the purest
water. In the army Ais 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 presence. He bestows more
affection on him than on his own chill
dren, who, according to court etiquette
on meeting their father have to stand
before him with hands clasped as if in
prayer until he gives the customary
signal for them to approach.
With Axis it is different: he is re-
ceived at all times without ceremony,
and embraced and kissed by the shah.
He does whatever he pleases in his
presence. exhibiting the utmost free
dom in jumping. dancing, singing and
telling Stories in the latter of which
he is an adept. One time when the
shah went hunting he left his favorite
behind him at the palace. The young
ster became unmanageable. turning
over chairs, tables and anything that
came in his way-in fact he literally
turned things psy-turvy. The shah
is so afraid of poison being admins
tered to the boy that he will not per-
NIT him to acce pit food from any hands
but those of the cook, in whom he has
implicit confidence.
The question is often asked. What is
the reason of this strong attachment
which the ruler of Persia evinces for
the boy Axis f. Sultane The follow
ing story is told in connection with
this singular case of favoritism: It is
said that Axis, when only o child OF
three years. sprang into the shah's
arms and chung 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
child aroused within the shah's mind
suspicion that all was not right, and
he ordered the servants to examine
the bed in which he had intended tc
sleep. The result was that large
poisonous snake was found coiled with.
in 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 upor
the boy as his mascot his lucky star
preventing him from evil and bring
ing him only good luck and prosperity