The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-01-24
an angle of the wall and The neighbor.

glad.
"Now, he thought, 'tyou tiresome
insect, you will no longer be able to
prevent me from getting the nap 1
want"
But as he continued to watch the
fate OF the pretty gold. green fly he
saw emerge from crack In the wall q
monstrous spider, with body as big
as the finger-tip of man and long,
black and hairy limbs. IL rushed to-
ward its prey and set to work spinning
winding sheet of web about 1t, MS if
enjoying its victims terror and agony.
The poor fly made such desperate
efforts to free itself from its bonds
that Ali, at the sight Of its hopeless
oxertion, felt moved by compassion I;
and, though he was very tired, and in
spite of the little insect having so
recently worried him considerably. he
could not bring himself to allow it to
perish go miserably.
He rose mp, and with wave of
his haud frightened away tho spider,
after which he released the fly from its
perilous activity.
"Now," he said. "I hope you will
leave me in peace"
He opened his finger and thumb,
the fly flew away, and Ali speedily lost
sight of it. He then lay down again
in the shade of the palm tree, closed
his eyes, and was soon soundly asleep.
The sound of n voice pronouncing
his namealoud awoke him. He opened
his eyes and saw stonding before him
IA parsonage of dazzling beauty and
gigantic form. Two light Id trans
parent wings were attached to his
shoulders. Ali had no doubt that he
was in the presence of genie.
"Nizier," said the supernatural be-
ing. you have rendered me q great
service. was the fly which lately
buzzed about your nose. | took that
form for the purpose of relieving my.
self for awhile from my ordinary
greatness AMI fitting freely in the
sunshine. A malicious sorcerer, my
private enemy, wishing TO take adj
vantage OF this circumstance, changed
himself in the big spider into whose
web ! became entangled aud IN which
| should have Jared i'll but for your
assistance.
"Iou must know that, though we
are permitted to assume what appear
ance We please, we at the same time
run the risG of falling into the same
snares as the human creatures whose
resemblance We borrow; and, If we 50
fall, we can only be rescued by human
aid. 1t is, therefore, by your gener-
Gus intervention l have been saved.
In return of this great service ask of
me some favor; whatever it may be /
promise to grant it..
SO spoke the genie. The Vizier re.
mained for awhile without answering.
At length, after having reflected, he
said:
81 was saying to myself oDlya short
time back that long life was no advan.
tage, since SO many of our days are
spoiled by divers vexations, and that
it wcpla be better to have shorter
existence, composed exclusively of
happy and cloudless days; then, il it
be in your power to do IL, good genie,
suppress from my life in future all
days of affection, or e,sn of annoy
ance, and let me live only during
t. ose which are exempt from trouble.
DO that and you will have largely re-
paid me the service have done you"
On hearing these words au enigmati-
cal smile oyerspread the face of the
genie.
Have yoa well weighed your re-
quest?'
Eyes, replied Ali.
"Let it be according to your de-
sire"
Instantly, as it seemed to the Vizier,
his fantastic iuterlocutor seized him
by the middle OF the body and rose in
the air with him to = height so giddy
as presently caused him to lose his
senses. When he returned to con-
seriousness he found himself in his
house in Bagdad, in bed. His body
was straightened out and so rigid that
he found himself unable to make the
least movement.
His eyes were closed. Nevertheless
he saw all that was passing about him,
and heard all that was being said. The
room was full of people. His wife,
his children, his servants were there
all lamented him, ani deplored the
loss of SO good husband, SO good a
father, 30 good n master, friend 30
faithful anl devoted.
"What is the meaning oi all this?"
thought Ali. "Am dead, thea?"
Eyes" said voice.
The genie stood at the foot OF the
Vizier's bed, visible only to him, read
in; his thoughts.
"Peridious spirits" thought Ali;
sis this the way you redeem your
promise?'
"Do not accuse me-" replied the
genie, but lay the blame to your own
stupidity alone. Why did you ask OF
me what was impossible? Two fairies
have been entrusted with the task of
spinning the destinies OF men. Be.
fore one, at the beginning OF things.
WAS placed heap OF white wool, from
1 4 A