The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-02-18
Fan Fan. the Fairy.

Why the king looked with favor
upon such a man as Abel FL Hassen
no one could tell. The king was mer-
ciful and just, and wished his subjects
to be content. Hassen was cruel and
selfish and cared nothing for the COM
plants Of the people.
He was the kings tax gatherer; and
no matter how poor the crops or what
misfortune had overtaken a man Has
sen demanded the full payment of his
taxes and punished him II he did not
pay. But he took care that none OF
the complaints 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 a peasant or small
farmer, and when a good season came
he had barley and potatoes and hay to
sell His wife worked with him in the
fields, and they worked very hard.
Never had Abed been behind In his
taxes, although there were times when
" took his last penny to pay them. He
knew what would happen to him II he
did not, and he always lived in fear.
At last, in this past summer, when II
rained almost every day, there was not
enough sunshine to make the crops
grow. Abed and his wife worked hard
er than ever, but 1t was no use. The
seeds rotted in the ground and the hay
field was flooded, and when the tax
gatherer came around and asked for
his money Abed had to reply:
you see how 1t is. have raised no
crops. and so have nothing to sell.
don't know how | am to get enough to
eat, let alone paying taxes"
"You know the law" said Hassen.
THE law says you must pay your taxes
by a certain date or stand punishment
Give me the money"
but haven't got It," answered
Abed. Can have money wnen have
nothing to sell?"
81 care not for that. II the money IL
not forthcoming you shall be tied up
and logged
Have you no mercy on one who has
met with misfortune? 1t is not be-
cause | have been idle, but because Of
the bad weather. Next year | may be
able to pay you double"
Seize him and tie him up!" COM
| manded Hassan to his attendants, and
/ 1t was done.
at is a shame to punish my husband
when he is not to blame" said Abed's
wife as her tears fell. Her words made
Hassan so angry tnat he ordered her to
be tied up and flogged as we'll. The
whip was about to be laid 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 currant
bushes walked Fan-Fan, the fairy. No
one knew her. but all supposed she
was the child of traveller.
''It is nothing to you what happens" +"
you have come from the city and are
lost will send a servant to guide you
home"
81 thank you, sir" replied Fan-Fan,
"but l am not lost. Why are you go
ing to whip those poor people?"
Because they have not paid their
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 has been too
much rain and not enough sunshine"
THAT makes no difference to me"
said Hassan. "The king needs money.
and must get 1t for him. Abed must
| h<~fh nf ho1 hA
flogged."
"You are cruel, unreasonable
mani" exclaimed Fan-Fan. 81 do not
believe the king would permit you to
do this II he knew Of It,"
'You had better 60 and tell him and
see," sneered Hassan. 81 know what
am about, and again tell you to 60
away"
81 will see the king sure enough, but
I will not have to go to him. will
bring him here. Behold, his majesty"
Fan-Fan waved her arms about her
head, and in a moment the king came
riding up and called out:
What now? Why are these people
tied up?"
"Oh, King!" said Fan-Fan, as she
went closer to him. "You know what
the season has been. This poor man
and his wife have worked hard, but
they have no crops to sell, and cannot
pay their taxes. Hassan would fog
them because they cannot pay"
"Eh? What?" exclaimed the king
81 know 1t has been bad year, and II
is my order that one who cannot pay
need not. 1t is cruel thing yen would
have done. Hassar."
"Abed is lazy a shiftless!" growled
the tax gatherer, as he sought to ex-
cuse himself.
"He is far from that, as we'll know
and to teach you to be more respect
full to the poor ii is my orders that
you be tied up and get IL lashes on the
bare back. AS for Abed and his wife
unite them and present them with this
gold piece"
The kings orders were carried out
| and n will please Won To learn that