The sun., 1902-10-26
THE STORY OF
l FAN-FAN, THE FAIRY.
A Poor Peasant, = Good King and
q Tax Catherer Who Got
What He Deserved.
VII.

Why the King looked with favor upon
such man as Abe 81 Hasssn no one could
tell.
The King was Inerciful and just, and
wished his subjects 10 be content. Hassan
was cruel ana selfish and cared nothing
for the complaints of the people.
He was the Kings taxgatheier. and
no matter how poor the crops or what
misfortune had overtaken a man Hassan
demanded the full payment Of his taxes
and punished him IL he did not pay.
But he took care that none of the COM
plants of the people reached the ears Of
The King. and the people were helpless
against him.
One Of the Kings subjects was named
Abed. He was peasant, or small farmer,
and when a good season camc he had
barley and potatoes and hay 10 sell.
His wife worked with MIN in the fields.
and they worked very hard. Never had
Abed been behind in his taxes, although
there were times when IL took his last penny
TO pay them. He knew what would happen
TO him if he did not, and he always lived
IN fear.
At last in this past summer. when it
enough sunshine to make the crops grow
Abed and his wife worked harder than
ever, but 1t was no use. The seeds rotted
in the ground and the bayfield, ~as flooded,
and when the taxgatherer came around and
asked for his money Abed had to reply
you see how il Is. | have raised no
crops. and go have nothing 10 sell. /
don't know how am to get enough to eat +,
let alone paying taxes.
You know the law. said Hassan. "The
law says you must pay your taxes by
certain date or stand punishment. Give
me the money"
But haven't got it," answered Ab,d
Can ! have money when have nothing
Il care not for that. If the money is
not forthcoming you shall be tied up and
aoSYssd,' sSYss1s YOU no mercy o, on. who n,.
met with misfortune? II il not because
/ have been idle, but because Of the bad
weather; Next year may be able to pay
YOU double
Seize him and tie him up!" commanded
Hsssan to his attendants, and il was done.
1t il shame to punish my husband
when he is not TO blame said Abcd's wife
at her tears fcll.
Her words made Hassan 80 angry that
he ordered her 70 he tied up and noggcG
as well The whip was about 10 be laic
on their backs when a voice cried out
Hold Why are this man and this woman
to be flogged?'
Everybody looked around at the words
and from out Of the cLrrant bushes walked
Fan-Fan the fairy.t No one knew her. but
all supposed she was the child Of a traveller
1T is nothing TO you what happens, /"
said Hassan as he waved her away. If
YOU have come from the city and are lost
l will send servant to guide you home.
Il thank you, sir, replied Fan Fan, but
am not lost Why are you going to whip
those poor people,
Because they have not paid heir taxes -
But how could they pay? Can You
not see for yourself that they have no
crops' There is neither barley. hay nor
potatoes here. There he's been too much
rain and not enough sunshine"
That makes no difference 10 me- said
Hassan. The King needs money. and |
must get 1t for him Abed must pay Inc
or both Of them shall be f'ogged
You are a cruel, unreasonable man
exclaimed Fan-Fan. Il do not believe the
King would permit you 10 do this if he knew
Of it,"
You had better GO and tell him and sec.
sneered Hassan. Il KNOW what am about
ard again l tell You TO 20 away
will see rheSKing sure enough, but
will not have to 60 10 him; will bring lin,
here. Behold his Majesty
Fan-Tan waved her arms about her head