The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-05-11
THE WARMER OF YAKMAT
A New Version of the ARABIAN
Nights"
BY w. r. ROSE.
Observation-Disclosures

1 - Op w. n. nOSE. e
+o+o!-o-so!.o+oI-so+.o+o..o+o*o..
He was too young n boy to be quite
alone in the streets of the great city
| Not but that he was capable of caring
for himself in the face Of ordinary perils,
but this boy was confronted by no ordi-
nary peril. 1t was acute poverty that
| faced him. He was homeless and hungry.
Jimmie Sturges had come up to the
| city In search of fortune and incidentally
| Of fame. His home life had been I'M
happy. He was n sensitive boy, and an
aunt with chronic temper and rasping
| voice had made life wretehed for this or
phaned lad of II. The glamour of the
city appealed to him. There was wealth
there and chances to rise. Other country
boys had conquered their way to fortune.
Why not he?
He came, and the glamour faded.
There seemed to be nothing in that noisy
wilderness for n new boy to do. His
| few dollars rapidly disappeared. He was
hungry and rooness.
As he slowly strolled down one Of the
fashionable thoroughfares. duly wonder
ing what was to happen to him, the door
Of a handsome residence opened. and
man came down the steps. He was
big man with Il fresh looking face and
grizzled gray whiskers. and ne had an
extremely we'll to do appearance. AS he
reached the sidewalk he caught sight of
Jimmie. and they both stopped.
Come here" said the big man slowly.
and. though his voice had q peculiar
rough bur to il. Jimmie instinctively felt
that Its owner was Il safe man to ap-
preach. He stepped forward. 'fIow's
business with you" inquired the big
man.
VERY bad" said Jimmie.
The big man eyed him keenly.
"Know any storics?' he suddenly in
auired. Jimmie was little startled by
the suddenness Of the query. but he
thought he gruspcd the big mans mean
ing.
Lots" he answered.
ANY new ones?
Brand new"
The big man caught him by the arm
and led him up the steps and into most
beautiful hall. but Jimmie had scarcely
a chance to look around. for the big man
hooked his big fingers under his chin and
held up his head.
LET me see your tongue" he said.
Jimmie thrust out that useful member.
and then the big man murmured.
"Humph" Then he brrsquely added:
I'VE can't take any chances on strange
story tellcrs. You must have n bath"
He drew the passive Jimmie back into
the interior Of the house and presently
pushed him through the door of a small
room.
Take a good scrub" he commanded.
land when you are through rap on the
door"
1t was n wonderful little room. all in
white, with a noble bathtub and gleam
ing mirrors and many silver fixtures.
Jimmie stared admiringy about him, but
he didn't forget what he was there for.
In n moment he had discovered the hot
water faucet and presently was indulging
in the luxury Of thorough personal
scrub. When he had scrambled back into
his clothes and brushed them and his
hair, he raped on the door. 1t was open
cd by tall gentleman with gray mus
tache, who smiled down at him pleasant
ly.
1.-THE doctor is up stairs" he said, "and
wants you TO join him there"
They went I'D the broad stairs and then
into a handsome room. There was n bed
at one side, with somebody lying in it.
The big man was standing at the bedside,
and he beckoned to Jimmie. Then he
stopped down.
George" he said softly. and it was
quite wonderful how the bur seemed to
leave his yoice-"George. here's the story
teller you wanted" He reached back
and drew Jimmie closer. The boy, look
ing down. saw another boy lying before
him. a boy Of about his own age, with
thin. white face and deep set. burning
eyes that rolled toward him from the pill
low.
"Your title?" cried this strange boy in
thin. querulous voice.
1.-The Warmer of Yakmat." replied JIM
mic with great gravity. recalling the
name he had given the hero Of one Of his
own romancing creations.
Good. You are welcome. From the
eastT
From the far east"
"You are also the grand viZier?"
"Later on became the grand vizier."
"True. Now for your first story. and do
not forget the fate that was promised
Schehezerade."
''Ts hear is to obey. most illustrious."
And thereupon Jimmie, with the most
profound gravity, seated himself and
plunged into one of the stories with
| which he had often lightened his loneli-
ness. The boy was a born romancer, and
the solitary life he had led and the alb
sence of human sympathy had sharpened
and added to his gift. His mind was peo-
| pied with knights and ladies. with gerii
| and fairies, with Sindbads and Aladdins.
He knew he was expected to humor the
| strange fancy of the sick boy, and he did
| his best.
He told the lad the fanciful tale Of
"Pigeontoes," which was q favorite crea-
| ton of his own, and he told 1t well. 1t
was the story of a Chinese maiden who
wandered away into the woods and came
| across a witch with whom she took
marvellous ride on q fiery broomstick,
with divers remarkable adventures. AS
| Jimmie went on, full OF the tircless zeal
| of the born story teller, he noticed that
| the burning eyes grew softer and that the
| restless head was stiller, and presently
the tired lids came slowly down. and the
sick hoy slept. Then Jimmie's voice
| dropped to a monotone, his own tired
head dropped lower and lower. and pres
| emily 1t dropped 10 the bed beside the SICK
| boy and remained there.
The light had faded from the sky, the
street lamps shed their Pickering rays,
and a softly shaded lamp burned in tne
chamber Of the sick boy when JimHle
Sturges awoke. As he stirred uneasily IL
firm hand caught his arm and drew him
gently from the bedside and out of the
room and down the stairs. 1t was the
Doctors hand, and the doctor faced him
In the great reception hall.
Jimmie stared at him half dazcd.
Its all right, my boy" said the doctor
kindly. You're not dreaming. This is
the home OF Banker Jordan. | am DIR.
Grace. The boy up stairs is Richard Jor-
dan, the bankers only cLid. lie is suf-
fering from a brain trouble that slightly
unbalances him. Do you understand"
| WYaa ~ said Iimunia faiptly. Ha sWaHai