Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-10-03
/ The Daily Short StoTy'
A PERSIAN LEGEND.

Here is the Persian legend OF the
sleeping beauty:
a king wished to appoint one of his
sons his heir. On a hunting tour the
youngest prince, Akbar, spied gazelle
and pursued it. He was soon lost sight
of. His followers, after waiting for
a long time for their master and hav-
ing looked everywhere for him. decided
10 return and tell his father the sad
news.
The king was very much grieved at
losing his youngest and dearest son.
He sent many men and soldiers to
search the grounds where the prince
had been last seen. but without sue
cess. The prince meanwhile was run
ming as fast as he could after the ga
zelle till at last he arrived in front OF a
palace with an iron gate, over which
the gaZelle leaped and disappeared. He
could not follow it there; so. being hot.
tired and hungry. lie threw himself on
the grass to rest little. He noticed
three doves perched on the gate. They
were really fairies who had assumed
that shape.
Well" said one. that prince is do
ing very foolish thing, lying down
there. Perhaps lie does not know this
IS the goblin's residence and that every
Sunday morning the goblin takes n
walk around his property and devours
anybody he finds on it. He is certain
TO find that prince just near the gate"
Well" said the second dove. he can
save his life very easily. He has only
10, NU
he gets to the bottom he will find him
self in a dark room. where he will see
an ugly old witch leaning over kettle
and half sitting on a chair. Without
waking her he must take the piece of
glass which is under her left foot and
break it, for it is the COLLINS life. AS
soon as it is in pieces the goblin will
expire. He must then attack the witch
and Kill her with his sword"
The prince rose from the grass. and.
acting on the advice he had just heard.
he very soon found the well and went
down IL 10y n circular path. but the
lower he got the hotter it grew till the
poor prince began TO feel giddy, sick
and faint. though he kept ON bravely
and never thought of turning back. At
last he found himself in the room, took
the piece Of glass without waking the
old witch, broke 1t into hundred
pieces. killed the witch. climbed out OF
the well and was surprised TO find him
self in a lovely garden near another
iron gate much bigger than the first.
which he tried TO open. AS he could
not do so lie walked about the garden.
in which was 4 large brook of running
hi.
stretched himself under n tree, where
he soon fell asleep. He awoke hearing
the same doves speaking in the tree on
a branch just over his head. The third
one was speaking:
IF he wants to open the iron gate. he
must try To do it with the point of his
sword and as soon as the doors fly open
put his hand into his pocket and take
out three gold coins, which he must
throw into the mouth OF the black ser
pent which will come out of the gate
with its mouth open ready to eat the
prince. If he can do this quickly. the
serpent viii die as soon as the money is
in its mouth. and the prince will set
free IL lovely princess, but he will have
to look for her"
Rising. the prince once more did AZ
the doves had said. When his sword
touched the gate. the doors flew open.
and the horrible black head of an
enormous serpent came out. showing
its fangs. The prince threw the money.
and the ugly reptile died. The p"ncc
soon found himself in another and
much prettier garden and, feeling
hungry. looked about to see If he could
I'm abundance; so. gathering up six
splendid apples, he ate. them and then