The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04
FOR THEBOYSANDG GIRLS
SOME READING FOR FATHER TIMES
LITTLE FOLKS.
The Magic Ring, an Old Arabian Story
With a Modern Application.
Brownie and Prince.

'He is the meanest boy in school;
and / don't intend to have anything
more to do with him"
Mean. How can you say that Morris.
when he lent me his umbrella this very
himself"
"II be bound he thought somebody
was watching him, Lefty. He's always
trying 20 show off, and make people be-
lieve he's manly and honorable. BAH
People that are honorable don't talk so
much about it,
The four Mead children were gathered
round table in their sitting room. The
lessons for ;he next day had been stud
led in silence, and now the books were
piled around the sas-lamp, and the
young folk were discussing the merits
and dement's of Franklin Chase, new
pupil at school, while MIR. Mead read the
newspaper.
But how do you know that Franklin
isn't honorable" pursued Lefty. look
inS across the table at her brother.
II Know very we'll he isn't" answered
Morris, stoutly. Wouldn't anybody else
have told me that word in the geography
class yesterday. i Knew the IeSSOH as
we'll as he did. il was only on account
of a slip OF memory that ] couldn't get
that word Niznia- Novgorod out in time.
II he had only whispered 'Niz it would
have been enough. / would have done
that much for him. But no. he wants
all the credit marks himself And then
10 come whining around afterwards
with an apology a mile long. saying that
he would have told me the word, only
he thought prompting was not quite hon
ordblc. Fiddlosticks! L guess | am as
honorable as anybody. only I don't so
round blowing about it."
"Of course you are honorable" assent
ed Lefty. but people cant all be like
you in every particular Perhaps Frank
lin is sure that he did right not TO tel
you the word in class. And perhaps he
isn't aware how IL sounds TO talk about
himself. But here's papa laughing at usl
Did we disturb your reading papa, with
our loud talk?"
Have you got It all setted?" he
asked, as he laid aside his newspaper
and looked pleasantly from Lefty to Nor
ris..
I'm afraid not" answered Morris IT
believe Lefty and I would never settle
anything by arguing, il we talked till
doomsday."
you are not different from some older
Suppose you don't try to settle it, but
listen to a little story"
"Once upon a time" began Mr.. Mead,
'there lived in Arabia q man so noted
for his wisdom and greatness that peo-
pie came from far and near TO see him
and to hear him talk. Alhazen lived
nagnincenuy; for he was not only wise
and good. but very wealthy. All his
undertakings prospered. and he seemed
- f.An afcfOt
There was family secret. however,
connected with Alhazens happiness.
From his father he had inherited n very
wonderful ring. which was said 10 help
the person holding II to acquire wisdom.
snd to be honorable and good. The
ring was an heirloom in the Alhazen
family. II was always given to the
favorite son on one condition-the IA
vorite son was TO give II In turn TO his
favorte son.
"Alhazen always wore his ring on the
middle finger of his right hand. 1t was
set with sparkling gems; but very few
OF the many people that admired 1t knew
OF its importance.
There was one trouble. however,
against which even the ring did not
secure Alhazen. He had three sons,
whom he loved exactly alike. and when
he reflected that the ring could be left
could not help feeling unhappy.
LAS Alhazen grew old and feeble he
thought more and more about the ring.
He could not make up his mind what TO
do. and was greatly troubled.
zone day, as he lay Ill in bed. he sent
for a famous jeweler. The jewsler came
In due time and was admitted into AL
hazen's presence.
''Could you make ring or rather two
foo no wis
holding out his jeweled hand to the
craftsman.
"'It is a rare ring wise Alhazen,' he
said, making low bow, but can copy
1t. Let ne try. If I succeed not 1 shall
ask nothing for my labor
80 the order was given, and soon after
the rings were made and delivered the
good Alhazen died.
(which boy got the magic ring?" asked
Morris and Lefty together.
"Ah that was what nobody knew"
said MIR. Mead, continuing his story. The
oldest son maintained that he had the
true ring. and the second son was equally
sure that he had II. while the youngest
son disputed the claims Of his brothers.
being sure that the magic ring was his.
''Neighbors and friends, who had seen
the ring blazing on Alhazen's hand, were
now appealed to; but so well had the
Jeweler copied the ring that IL was i'm
possible 10 distinguish the real ring from
the other two.
''At last, the three brothers, not wish
ing 10 continue the strife among them
selves, appealed 10 the Caliph. The ca
liph had heard about the dispute, and he
was not much surprised 10 see the three
brothers He asked to see the rings, and
when they were held out to him he ex-
anined them long and carefully.
But the Caliph was not more expert in
distinguishing the magic ring than the
friends and neighbors.
Alas, good sirs, he said, Il cannot
discover TO you the magic ring To me
your rings look exactly alike But and
now the Caliph smiled as an idea seemed
10 iiumine his noble face, did not your
rather. the wise Alhazen say that the
magic ring made its owner wise and
goodr N
Yes o caliphr answered the broth
srs That Is a tradition In our family
Very WELL said the Cajiph; then
cease dispuunr with one another about
who has the true ring. and instead, seek
wisdom and do good and after awhile
whichever AZ you n vvfsnsf ara t~ss Ia,