The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-19
Df WlLh[lh HAUFF

1 dol Away with you, away.' Shout ing wildly. they raised their sharp l pens.
 .But only want to visit the chill dren. Can you not permit that?" beg | ged Fairy Tale.
 Isn't there rabble enough like you in the land alreadyg' said one of the watchers. They merely gabble a lot of foolishness into the ears of the lit- tie ones.'
 Let us see what she knows this time" said another.
 I Very well,r cried the rest. Say what you know; but hasten, for we have little time for such as you.'
 Fairy Tale stretched forth her hand and made swift motions in the air with her pointing index finger. At once gor- 1, geous figures began to pass by. A l great caravan approached over a des- ert. Across the immense waste. where i the eye could see nothing except sand and sky. sounded the bells of the cam l els and the silvery jangling of horses | harness. A great cloud of dust pre- l ceded the caravan, and whenever a 1 little puff of air parted the cloud mo- mentarily the glitter of weapons and bright garments gleamed forth. At last the armed vanguard parted to right and left and paused. waiting i for the rest. Thirty camels heavily laden. drew past. led by armed men. l Behind them came five richly dressed merchants to whom the caravan be- longed. They alighted and entered a l great tent of blue silk which the men had erected as by magic. Gold em- broidered cushions invited them to rest. and black slaves brought them food and drink
 After the meal the slaves brought long pipes and Turkish sorbet. The men sat silent for long time. pufing blue clouds and watching their slow diffusion. At last one spoke.
 ''As it is my turn to tell a story I will give you. if 1t please you, oh friends, the Story of Caliph stork." The nodded gravely. The story teller strok- ed his long beard took a long draught of sorhet. and began:
 One fine summer afternoon the Ca- liph Chasid of Bagdad sat contentedIy on his divan. He had slumbered a lit- tie, for 1t was hot day. and now, af- ter his rest, he looked quite jovial. He smoked long rosewood pipe slipped a l little coffee that a slave poured for 1 him and stroked his beard with satis- l faction whenever his palate was espe- cially pleased, In short, any one could see that the Caliph felt extremely we'll indeed.
 At such an hour one could best ap- proach him, for he was mild and ge- nial; therfore his Grand vizer, Manson. visited him every day at that particu- lar time This afternoon he arrived as | usual. but, contrary to his habit he was most meditative. The Caliph re- moved his pipe for a moment and asked: why is your face so thought tul Grand vizer?'
 The Grand vizer crossed his arms over his breast. bowed and replied: l Master whether or not have a thoughtful face. I know not; but at the entrance of the palace there is a ped dler who has such fine wares that it angers me not to have superfluous wealth.
 The Caliph had long desired to give his Grand Vizer a pleasure. He sent black slave after the peddler, and the latter was soon in his presence. He was a fat little man, extremely swarthy and garbed in rags. He opened his chest and displayed all sorts of pre- cious wares. pearls and rings, silver mounted pistols. richly chased cups and cunningly engraved combs. The Caliph and his Vizier examined everything, and at last the Caliph bought beautiful pistols for himself and Manson and a comb for the latter's i wife. Just as the dealer was shutting l ms chest the CdDpn Spi6d a small | drawer and asked what was in it. The peddler opened it and displayed a snuff hox with a black powder and a paper with strange characters, which neither the Caliph nor the Grand Vizier could read.
 | These were given to me one day by merchant who found them in the street in Mecca" said the little ped l dler. q do not know what they are | rs- mt fns- sum. for I cannot do anything with | them"
 The Caliph was very fond of old man. uscripts for his library. even though he could not read them. He purchased snuff-box and writing and dismissed the peddler. Then he asked his Vizier if he knew of any one who might de- cipher the manuscript.
 l Most gracious Master and Command er," said Manson. near the great Mosque lives man who Is called Se- | linn the Learned. and understands all languages. Let him be called. He may understand these mysterious charac- ters."
 The learned selim was brought with out delay. "selim. said the Caliph kindly, '1t is said that you are most learned. Take a peep at this writing. If you can read it, you shall have a new holiday garment. If you can't, you shall have twelve blows on the cheek and twenty five on the foot soles for having been called Selim the Learn ed without sufficient cause"
 Selim bowed low and replied. Your | will be done. oh. Master" Long he Sazed at the writing. Suddenly he cried. May be hanged oh, Master, if 1t Is not Latin"
 Say what it is, then" ordered the Caliph. If it be Latin"
 Sclim began to translate: Let him who finds this praise Allah for his grace Who snuffs of the powder in this box and says 'Mutabor' can trans form himself into any animal and will understand the voices of beasts. When he desires to return to his human form let him bow thrice to the east and pro- nounce the word. But let him beware that he laugh not while he is trans formed. The Word of Power will van ish from his brain and he must remain a beast"'
 Tine Caliph was extravagaptly de- lighted when he heard this. He made SeIim the Learned swear to keep the secret. presented him with a splendid garment and dismissed him. Then he turned to his Grand Vizier and said: That is what I call bargain, How I enjoy the thought of becoming an an- imal You will be here tomorrow morning early! We will go into the fields. take a pinch of snuff, and hear what is said in air and water. wood and held!"
 Scarcely had the Caliph Chasid | nd 1rauead the navt morn.