Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-03-07
THE SON Of
ABULEEDA
How Tic Provided lis Palace wih
STATUES,


o-4+o-S-#~~"
la ihc la.t years OF thc eighth con
fury There rciencl go Ragiad che Caliph
Abuifcda tato the co0ors OF his pred
cccssors the wealth OF the cast had
been poured with n most uusparins
baud. THE magnificent "City Of tho
E~nchantrcss. was not only the Abode
" Peace. but a splendid jewel ia the
empire OF the faithful
or an tho caiiphs Of this wonderful
city since Almansor. It's founder, no
two had blessed or cursed the world
with the same idea Of what Il was
necessary that man should DO to enjoy
life Ia this world and 40 death 10 bc
worthy Of a place among the dark eyed
damsris and beautiful youths Of the
gardens Of paradise.
The magnificent Almamoun scattered
Ills incstimable wealth IN the greatest
contrast with the abstcmlousness and
frugnlity Of the mighty Omar. and the
Uaroun-al-Raschld OF Bagdad Is vastly
different frcm the Akbah. whose IA
matte advance only the hcaving waves
Of the Atlantic were able 10 hinder.
The Caliph Abulfedn had succeeded
his father. whose desire 10 gather the
gold OF the then known world into
BaCdad without %expcnding il for any
purpose had put the youthful prince
"a many disadvantages aud f0steTcd
in him the desire TO do otherwise when
he would sr"cccd 10 the mantle OF the
prophet. Therefore when his w sons
were choosing their ends or pleasures
the Callph Abulfedn was always ready
to forward or indulge them.
Among the youngest of his many
children WIS All. For years be had
brooded over and planned ON the idea
OF a wonderful cdiGcc that he hoped In
time to construct. or all the magnih-
rent structures II had beer his privi-
lege as n son OF the commander OF the
faithful to see none was In all things
the perfection OF which the young
prince dreamed; therefore on the death
Of his father the prince began the
building OF the long deferred nappi-
ness.
In time there arose on the banks OF
the river the most wonderful archl-
t%ecturnl dream that even that magic
age and that wonderful city had pro
duced. Yet to the prince It was un-
finished: something was yet lacking TO
make II the abode Of perfect pleasure.
One evening the prince was sumter
Ing along one Of the most magnificent
of the %curiously carved arcndes Of the
palace when q voice called his Nance:
"Prlnce All. son Of Abulfeda! Prince
All. son Of Ahulfeda!"
The young prince glanced quickly
around on an sides. but beheld no one
except the silent sentinels on guarC
around the palace and the picturesque
horsemen that at a little distance rod'
slowly back and forth as safeguard
against approaching danger.
Again came the voice;
prince Ali. son Of Abulfeda! Prince
All. son Of Abulfedar'
Quick as a flash the prince drew thl
splendidly ornamented and equal!
splendldly tempered blade at his sid'
and stood ready to face any opponent.
But II was unnecessary. Before hin
stood an old man. bowed and whitcneC
by the sorrows and trials Of many
years. His dress and manner also dis
tingulshed him as belonging 70 som'
other period.
prince All. son of AbulfedaT he be
gan.
u am" assented Prince All. s~carcel!
knowing whether to tower up TO hli
full height and nswer with the pride
he felt IN his noble name or acknowl
edge his inferiority before a higheI
power.
Il know you. know you" answers
the aged man. Il knew your honorel
father and your fathers father. and
a supernatural expression spreadin
over his ~visage-"and I stood side b.
side with the prophet himself 10 man.
q dearly won eight with the enemie
OF the only true belief. But J wronge'
him. | did him an injustice. and there
fore Is my slumber 10 the tomb dis
turbed. when the commander OF IN
faithful or one OF bis children has a
earnest long ng or desire. ! or som
other who has wrouged the prophet
called from his tomb In answer
their prayers.
Prince All. son Of Ahulfeda, wha
IS thy desiref'
The prince t%hereupon began az ID
birth OF his hope FOR the possession @
an architectural wonder and relate
all until lts completion.
Il understand. I understand" erie
The old man. slowly reckoning ID
prince 10 silence. You have exhaustc
your worldly knowledge 10 a;temptin
to succeed 10 happiness, IN gratifyin
your desire. and have failed. Is
not rs ! sayr'
"It Is" answered the prince. and
now yearn for something beyond ia
power Of man to accomplish or undeI
stand"
"Be IL then as yoI desire answere
the aged father. Behold this stat
Ask not from whence IL came nor dli
cover the mystery 10 any living ma
until ! rrtlrn FOR us possession"
The prince took the stan and locke
n c%uriousIy over. but nothing extraoI
binary occurred. Seeing his expe'
fancy. the aged nan continued;
.sThe followers Of the good una