The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-03
PERSIAN TALES.


up with a thirst on him and pushed the
button at the head of his bed to sum
mon the Royal Chamberlain.
What no. caitiff." he yelled, as the
r. c. appeared. IF you have not yet
learned your duties in this royal shanty
will have an understanding with
yov"-
My duties. o ruler of the sun. moon
and stars" replied the chamberlain.
ARE to act as steward. hostler. cook.
chamberlain, treasurer. butler. footman
and driver, and forget none of them
tail
Il have not brought it, o mighty
sovereign. because there is nothing in
the palace to make it Of"
Say you so? Then bring me an
absinthe'
We used the last two days ago"
Then I'll take brandy"
are empty"
Blu" But we must have whisky"
There is not a DROP"
POUNDS and s'death! I hate TO be-
gin on beer so early in the morning, but
you can bring me a schooner. Don't
lick the foam off as you are coming
along"
20 monarch of the land and sea. but
there is no beer" said the Chamberlain,
as he struck proper pose.
what! No cocktail no absinthe no
brandy, no whisky. and no beer! BY
the bones OF my ancestors. but am l
King or a wooden indiana"
Thou art a king and a great one
me moon does not rise without thy
consent The trouble is. however. that
you nave no whisky, and no cash to
buy any l might possibly raise a pint
OF buttermilk somehow, but l doubt it"
highness. 80 MS
Yes. indeed. You have only to COM
mand the sun to stand still and it obevs.
Yes, you are about the biggest pebble on
the beach, even if you are dead broke
Then II L am King, 1 will be King
II can't nave cocktails and so forth no
one else shall. Hassan, hand me a cun
of water from the faucet
tbs done, my liege"
Ah-uml Nothing bad about that.
Now, then, go out and make proclama-
ton that any one in nv kingdom Who
drinks anything but water for the next
the reel" vi
But, o ruler" protested Hassan. "by
noon tomorrow all the roads leading to
the palace viii be cholxed with beer
wagons and what shall l saw"
Tell EN- to hove the cases down cell
lar, ana make proclamation again thar
owing to the drouth. we have concIud-
ed TO let up on water and return to the
foamy."
one day, after having been told about
a thousand times by his courtiers. that
ne was the w1Sest, noblest, snartest and
biggest thing on earth. the King grew
weary or hattery and went out for a
walk by himself. By and by he struck
d croSs-road and came upon a peasant
seated under tree and wearing a de-
jected look
Hath things gone wrong with thee?''
the grass. oi
Alas it's true" replied the other
h. me earth is so dry that my corn is
The. Then you won't have the labor of
But 1 shall not have any potatoes
of digging" iS'e"u
If have no corn or hay what is
surely starve."
nave no doubt that he eats more
man ne is worth, anyway. and the
moe OF donkey always fetches 80
ngure that you will even be ahead of
the game" e' VI
But if 1 have nothing to sell what
ABOUT my taxes?" asked the peasant.
1t IS proclaimed that he who does not
pay snan be bastinadoed on the feet
wen, let EN- whack away. I am
sorry to observe that you are no phil
osopher Everything seems to be com
ing your way, and yet
AT that moment His Majesty rose