Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-15
THE WHITE STEED OF Ell MA1R.
A Legend Of the Desert as Told by the Arabs

Years ago, when Haroun AL Raschid
wore the green turban of the Prophet,
and ruled ower the Caliphate at Bag
dad, whose stately doraes and towers
reflected themselves in the Tigris,
there lived on the borders of the desert
q wild tribe OF Arabs, with whose chief
the mighty Moslem was always at war.
And little love. in turn. had the dark
shick, Abon Ell Mahr. for the CaliDh,
8Iightiest OF rulers was the proud Al
Raschid: in his great palace on the IT,
girls were gathered the riches Of the
Orient; in his hall Of judgment, gilt
tering with gold and precious stones,
euppliants frcm twenty nations throng-
ed to ask for justice or for mercy.
But never in that hall had bent the
stately head of the, sWarfhy Bedouin
enair. He laughed to scorn the men OF
the walled town, aud acknowledged no
rule save that of his own free WILL
Though fierce was his renown and
wide the terror OF his sweeping raids,
the shiek Abon was only boy of six
teen. He had succeeded his father,
the old white bearded Hassan, when
but twelve years Of age, but so active
and daring was the young Arab, that
he had won fame that already more
than euualed his fathers. In the whole
wide Bedouin land. no Drawer warrior
than the 1.-THE, sinewy dark-eyed Abon
grasped bridle-rein or urged flying
steed over the hot desert sands.
nd hot do
bone of contention between the young
ehiek and Bagdads mighty caliph?
In the tent of the desert chieftian
dwelt the fairest, swiftest steed whose
back ever bore rider. In all the Mos
lem lands, from the far Indus to where
the bright waters of the Granddaughter
flashed through the orange groves of
Spain. there was not to be found the
peer of Lalla, the beautiful steed of
Abon FL Mahr.
Straight descended was he from
White Koureen, the famous mare of
Soloman, and from the thrice-illus-
trious Hafafa, the sable steed Of the
patriarch Abraham. and he was alike
thewonder and the envy'of all the sur
rounding tribes.
Light of foot as the bounding gazelle
was the white horse; over the soft grass
of the oasis he could pass and yet leave
no hoofprint behind. Shod he was as
with fire, and the swiftness Of the light
ming was in every limb. So easy was
his galloping stride that Abon could
sit on his back in full career and drain
a cup of sherbert without splitting
single drop.
Bagdad's mighty caliph had heard of
the peerless steed, and he had sent
many an embassy, with tempting speech
and costly presents, to buy of the Arab
chief the pride and glory Of his race.
Wondrous silks and shawls woven in
Persian looms, gold and jewel of
priceless worth did great Haroun offer
for the matchless Lalla, and offered
them in vain.
Go back to your Sultan" said the
naughty Abon, scornfully, "and tell him
that il he were to offer me the cleaning
revenues that come to Bagdad in ten
years I would not part with the pride
Dwdesert."
nus rudely scorned, Haroun Al
Raschid swore solemn oath: 'sSince
gold has been refused, then shall steel
buy the treasure that this boasting rob-
OCl AOluS 81 uSdi.
And the great caliph watched there
after for an opportunity to carry out
his bands to intercept the Arab chief,
but they always returned unsuccess-
full. Abon Ell Mahr was too cunning
to be trapped and, if it came to trial
of speed, his Lalla could easily outstrip
ali pursuers.
But one day black-bearded Mos1em,
leader of a caravan that was to travel
from Bagdad to Alexandria, sought aud
fence of the caliph. When he was ad-
mitted to the throne-room, the trader
FASTENED to make his errand known.
20, Commander of the Faith" said
he, know that l carry much wealth
On this caravan OF mine, and much fear
the inroad Of that robber Bedoin, Abon
FL Mahr who watches over this route
as an eagle the mountain passes where
the young. antelopes gambol. Now, I
entreat thee to let a thousand Of thy
best horsemen accompany me on this
journey.
Haroun al Raschid's dark eyes gilt