Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-03-21
ARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH d, 1902
THE SON Of
ABULFEDA
How lie Provided His Palace With
Statues.


been poured with most unsparing
hand, The magnificent "City of the
Enchanuess" was not only the abode
of Peace" but splendid jewel In the
empire Of the faithful.
or all the caliphs of this wonderful
city since Almansor. Its founder, no
two had blessed or cursed the world
with the same idea of what 1t wns
necessary that man should do to enjoy
life In this world and at death to be
worthy of II place among the dark eyed
damsels and beautiful youths Of the
gardens of paradise.
The magnificent Almamoun scattered
his inestimable wealth in the greatest
contrast with the abstemiousness and
frugality of the mighty Omar, and the
Haroun-al Raschld Of Bagdad IL vastly
different from the Akbah, whose fn-
matte advance only the heavlng waves
of the Atlantic were able TO hinder.
The Caliph Abulfeda had succeeded
his father, whose desire TO gather the
gold of the then known world into
Bagdnd without eXpendlng It for any
purpose had put the youthful prince
to many disadvantages and fostered
IN him the desire to do otherwise when
he would succeed to the mantle of the
prophet. Therefore when his own sons
We're choosing their ends or pleasures
the Caliph Abulfeda was always ready
to forward or indulge them.
Among the youngest OF his many
children was Ali. For years he had
broOded over and planned on the Idea
of n wonderful edilice that he hoped In
time TO construct OF all the magniti-
cent structures II had been his privi-
lege as II 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 happi-
ness.
In time there arose on the banks OF
the river the most wonderful archi-
tcctural dream that even that magic
age and that wonderful city had pro
duced. Yet to the prince II was I'M
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 arcades of the
palace when Il voice called his name:
"Prncc All, son Of Abulfeda! Prince
All, sou Of Abulfedav
The young prince glanced quickly
around on all sides. but beheld no one
except the silent sentinels on guard
around the palace and the picturesque
horsrmen that at little distance rode
slowly back and forth as safeguards
against approaching danger.
Again came the voice:
"Prince All son of Abulfeda! Prince
All, son Of Abulfeda"
Quick as II flash the prince drew the
splendldly ornamented and equally
splendidly tempered blade at his side
and stood ready to face any opponent.
But II was unnecessary. Before him
stood an old man, bowed and whltened
by the sorrows and trials OF many
years. His dress and manner also dis
tlnguIshed him as belonging TO some
other period.
"Prince All. son OF AbulfedaW he be-
gan
~ am" nssented Prince ALL scarcely
knowing whether to tower up to his
fun height and answer with the pride
he felt In his noble name or ncknowl
edge his Inferiorlty before higher
power
81 know you. | know you" answered
the aged man. II knew your honored
father and your fathers father, and
n supernatural expression spreading
over his visnge- land stood side by
side with the prophet himself In many
n dearly won fight with the enemies
Of the only true belief. But wronged
him. did him an injustice, aud there
fore IL my slumber In the tomb dis
turbrd when the commander Of the
faithful az one Of his children has an
earnrst longing or desire. or some
other who has wronged the prophet II
called from his tomb IN answer to
their prayers
"Prince Ali, sou OF Abulfeda, whnt
Is thy deslref"
The prince thereupOn began at the
birth Of his hope for the possession or
an architectural wonder aud related
all until its completion.
II understand! l understand cried
the old man. slowly beckOning the
prince 10 silence. you have exhausted
your worldly knowledge In attempting
to succeed 10 happiness, In gratifying
your desire, and have failed. IL II
not as ! sayr
at is," answered the prince. and ]
now ycarn for something beyond the
power Of man TO accomplish or under
stand"
BE 1t then as you desire" answered
the aged father. "Behold this staff.
Ask not from whence II came nor dis
cover the mystery to any living man
until return for It's possession"
The prince took the staff and looked
It curiously over. but nothing extraor-
binary occurred. Seeing his expec-
fancy. the aged man continued:
"The followers Of the good man