The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-02

Wren the twenty-five were fully de- livered he called the boys around him and told the story of Little Muk.
 Little Muk's father was a distin- guished but poor man of the city Of | Nicea. His name was Mukrah, and he l lived almost as quietly and as much alone as his son was living.
 He was ashamed of his son because of his unfortunate shape. As he did not wish to expose him to ridieule he would not send the poor lad to school. and thus little Muk grew up in ignorance. and. in addition, in per | feet innocence of the ways of the world. When he had reached the age l of sixteen he was stlll a child. and his father. who was by nature solemn and thoughtful. found new occasion for complaint in that fact.
 I One day he fell and hurt himself so severely that he died soon after l ward, leaving poor Muk quite helpless. The relatives who had lent his father money, drove the boy away. "Go out into the world" said they. land seek | for your fortune"
 Little Muk answered that he was en- tirely prepared for a voyage All he needed. he declared. was a suit of clothes. and he asked the relatives to give him his fathers old garments. They acceded graciously to this mod l est request.
 | His father was a tall and powerful man. Therefore the clothes did not it l very we'll, as you can imagine. But Muk had ready expedient. He cut /! off all that were too long and then ate tired himself in his legacy Unfortu- nately he could not trim down the width of the clothes as he had trimmed the length. This explained his re- rnufkebie. costume. for he wore it ever after The mighty turban, the broad i sash. the wide brooches. the blue cloak, all these were the relics of his father.
 Garbed- in these clothes. with his | fathers long Damascus dagger thrust ] through his sash and little stick in his hand. he went through tho gates | of his native town and forth into the wide world. @s
 Merrily and untroubled he walked all that day Having gone forth to l seek his fortune. he was alert for 1t | all the time. Whenever he saw a | fragment of glass or a potsh herd gilt ter in the sun, he ran to 1t. picked | 1t up and put 1t into his sash, con- | fident that he had found a diamond. | If he saw the minaret of mosque | gieana like fire. or a lake shine like O mirror, he would hasten toward lL DEedlnieSsly, lmABlnlnB that ne 1ao l arrived at last in fairyland. But. alas! These mirages disap- poured whenever he came near to them l and became just like other places. while his wearying limbs and his com blaming stomach told him rudely that he was still in the land of common ] mortals.
 Hunger and weariness disappoint- ment and fear began to overcome him al hA kaA N.., without finding his fortune. The fruits of the field were his sole sustenance. 1 and the hard ground was his bed. But on the third morning he looked from a height and saw a great city before him. The crescent shone giori- ously from it's towers and bright ban- ners waved from all the roofs. They seemed to beckon him.
 He stood still in admiration and gazed at the beautiful country and the shining city. "Ah. there Little Muk will find his luck said he. There or nowhere" Despite his weariness he gave a little leap of joy. Then he gathered up all his remaining strength and stepped out bravely for the city.
 Although 1t had seemed so near by, he did not reach it till almost noon, for his little limbs almost failed him and he had to sit down many times In the shade of a palm to recover his strength. At last, however he reached the city gate. He pulled his cloak neatly into place. tied his turban grace fully. smoothed out his sash. adjusted his dagger and cleansed his slippers of aust. Then he strode hopefully Into the streetsl
 He went from street to street, but nownere did door open for him, mo- where did any person call to him, as he had had hoped they might in this city.
 Come in, Little Muk. come inl Eat and drink and rest your weary limbsr'
 He was just looking longingIy at a large and beautiful house. when e window was opened and an old woman looked out. With a sing-song voice she cried;
 Come in! Come In!
 Let dinner begin!
 The table Is spread
 With chicken and breadl
 Come, neigh borsi Come inl
 Let dinner begin!
 The door opened a moment afterward and Muk saw innumerable cats and dogs arrive from all directions and enter. He debated a moment whether or not he would dare follow. At last he gained courage and entered.
 Two young cats preceded him and he decided to let them guide him, as he assumed that they knew the where abouts of the feast better than he did.
 When he reached the head of the first flight of broad stairs he was met by the old woman who had looked from the window. She bent sour glance on him and demanded his business.
 You cried out an invitation to din- ner," said Muk. and since I am so very hungry. I thought I would ac- cept it."
 The old woman laughed and said: Whence do you come, you wondrous fellow? The whole city knows that cook for nobody except my beloved eats Now and then I invite company