The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-02
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 I whenever he came near to them and be- came just like other places, while his i wearying limbs and his complaining stmoach told him rudely that he was still in the land of common mortals. Hunger and weariness disappointment and fear began to overcome him after he had wandered for two days without find- ing his fortune The fruits of the field were his sole sustenance, and the hard ground was his bed But op the third morning he looked from a height and saw a great city before him. The cres- cent shone gloriously from its towers and bright banners 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" De- spite his weariness he gave a little leap of joy. Then he gathered all his remain ing strength and stepped out bravely for the city.
 Although it had seemed so near by, he | did not reach it till almost noon, for his i 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. 1 however, he reached the city gate. He 1 pulled his cloak neatly into place, tied his turban gracefully, smoothed out his sash, adjusted his dagger and cleansed his slip i pers of dust Then he strode hopefully l into the streets.
 He went from street to street, but mo- where did door open for him, nowhere did any person call to him, as he had hoped they might in this city, Come in, Little Muk, come in! Eat and drink, and rest your weary limbs!"
 i He was just looking longingly at a large and beautiful house, when a window was opened and an old woman looked out. With a sing-song voice she cried:
 Come inl Come inl
 Let dinner begin!
 The table is spread With chicken and breadl Come neighbors; Come in! i Let dinner begln!"
 The door opened a moment afterwards 1 md Muk saw innumerable cats and dogs /, arrive from all directions and enter. He ] debated a moment whether or not he i would dare follow. At last he gained i courage and entered.
 ] Two young cats preceded him and he i decided to let them guide him. as he as l stunned that they knew the whereabouts ! of the feast better than he did. i When he reached the head of the first ] flight of broad stairs he was met by the i old woman who had looked from the win dow. She bent a sour glance on him and demanded his business.
 You cried out an invitation to dinner" said Muk "an since I am so very hum gry, I thought I would accept it."
 The old woman laughed, and said: Whence do you come, you wondrous fellow? The whole city knows that I cook for nobody except my beloved cats. Now and then invite company for them, as you have seen.'
 Little Muk told the old woman his story and begged her to let him eat with her cats just once. The woman permitted it and gave him food and drink generously. After he had been satisfied and regained his normal spirits and strength. she said:
 Little Muk, remain with me. You shall have little work and shall be well fed and well paid"
 Little Muk likec the cats dinner so well that he was overjoyed to remain, and be- came the servant of Madame Ahavzi. He had easy but peculiar duties. Madam Ahavz had six cats. These had to be combed every morning, after which their fur had to be rubbed With precious oint- ments. When the old Noman went out he had to watch the cats, and when they ate he had to serve them With handsome dishes, as if they were human beings. At night he had to bed then on silken cushions and cover them with v.lvet blan- kets.
 There were some small dogs in the house, too, but they were not treated with such distinguished consideration as the cats which Madam Ahavzi coddled as if they were her own children. Muk le1 as lonely life as he had led in his fath- CTS house, for he met only dogs and cats and saw no human being except the old woman.
 For time everything went very well with him. He had plenty to eat and little to do. But after while the cats became extremely unruly. As soon as the old woman went they jumped around the house as if possessed
 throwing everything topsy turvy, ard
 smashing many beautiful and rare
 object. As soon as they heard Muk'
 mistress coming upstairs they would d crouch on their cushions and wave their
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