The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-27

with delight He could not have chosen
better test himself, and he thought,
well. the sultana shall certainly have
reason to be proud of me-
| Two rooms were prepared, one for the
prince, one for the tailor. Silk cloth,
scrissons. needles and thread were pro-
vided, and two days were given to them
| to finish their work.
The Sultan, highly amused, was curious
to see what sort of a garment his
would succeed in making; while the Sui
tana was devoured with anxiety as to her
stratagem.
At the end of the allotted time the court
| assembled and servants were sent to tn
two rooms. Labakan entered the hall
| first. Triumphantly he held out the gar
| lnent that he had finished. See. father"
said he to the astonished Sultan, lis not
this masterpiece? l will wager the best
court tailor cannot do better"
| The Sultana smiled. What have you
/ produced my SOM" asked she, turning
TO Omar, who had entered reluctantly and
with gloomy brow Angrily he threw
shears and cloth to the ground. 81 have
| been taught to break horses" he ex-
claimed. land to WELD a sword. My lance
will find its mark at sixty PAGES. But
| the arts of the needle are foreign to me.
They would i'll befit the pupil of Elf Bey,
the ruler of Carol
"Oh, you true blood of my lord and
| master!'' cried the Sultana. "Ah, that L
might embrace you and call you my son!
n ht1Gh ap
continued she, turning to the Sultan, for
having used this trick against you. Do
you not see now who is Prince and who
is tailor? Indeed, it is a fine garment
that your son has made, and l would fam
ask what master taught him.
The Sultan sat immersed in deep
thought, distrustfully looking now at MS
wife. then at Labakan. The latter had to
struggle desperately to conceal his shame
and fright at having betrayed himself so
stupidity.
This proof will not SUFFICE" said the
Sultan at last. But 1 know means,
thanks to Allah, for finding out whether
or not 1 am being deceived"
He ordered his fastest horse and rode
alone into frest that lay near the
town. There, according to legend,
dwelled a good fairy, Adelaide, who
had been said often to have given the
rulers of his race good counsel in time
of need. He tied his horse to tree
and stood In the middle of little
clearing, surrounded by cedars, where
human beings never trod. With loud
voice he said: IF 1T is true that you
have given my ancestors good advice
in their time of need, disdain not the
PRAYER of their descendant. Aid me in
| something wherein human sight is too
| DIM"
Hardly had his last word sounded
before a cedar tree opened. A yelled
woman with floating white garments
appeared. IT know what brings you,
Sultan Saaud. Your desire is good.
| Therefore you shall have my help. Take
these two caskets. Let each of the
| two choose one. The rightful son will
pick the right caslx et."
| She held out two small ivory baskets,
| richly ornamted with gold and pearls.
On the lids. which the Sultan tried vain
| ly to open, were inscriptions formed by
diamonds. As he rode homeward he
wondered deeply what might be in
them. The inscription gave him no
indication. One casket was inscribed
Honor and Fame" The other had on
| It the words Fortune and Wealth.
Saaud reflected that the CHI dice between
two such equally Turing things would
be difficult for any man.
| hi 1oa ha
sent for the Sultana and told her what
| the fairy had given to him. Her heart
| was filled at once with firm belief
that he to whom she felt so drawn
would select that casket which would
prove his royal birth.
| Two tables were placed before the Sui
tan's throne. On these the Sultan set
the caskets with his own hands He
beckoned to a slave, and the doors of
richly dressed throng of the bassas and
emirs of the kingdom for whom he had
sent They took their places along the
walls on glorious rugs and cushions.
When all had assembled Saaud beck.
oned again, and Labakan was escorted in.
Proudly he strobe through the hall and
Frustrated himself before the throne, ask
ing "What commands my master and
father?"
The Sultan arose and said:
my son! Doubts have been raised
against the Justice of your claim to our
name One of these caskers contains the
proof of your birth. Choose! l doubt
not that you will choose Alright"
Labakan arose and examined the cas-
kets He reflected long which he should
choose. At last he said
"Honored father! What can there be
greater than the fortune of being your
son? What can exceed the wealth of your
favor? choose the caslSet inscribed
Fortune and Wealth"
1--WE shall see afterward whethep you
have chosen right or wrong" said the
Sultan "sit down. meantime. on yon-
der cushion with the Bassa of Medina
He beckoned again and the slaves de-
parted to get Omar.
His appearance aroused sympathy
his mien was sad and his once flashing
! glance was dull and gloomy. He, too.
Frustrated himself before the throne and
/ incurred the Sultan's will.
| Saaud told him to choose one of the
two caskets. Omar arose and looked at
them
..These past days" said he, ''haye