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


stood on an eminence in a wide plain
and was visible for many miles. His
heart beat violently at the sight. AL
though he had had ample time to study
his course, his evil conscience made
him falter. But at last the conviction
that he had been born to be Prince
strengthened his resolution and he rode
bravely toward the hill.
The region was barren and ,unin-
habited, but the new prince was pro-
vided with ample provisions. He
found shelter under a sparse clump of
palms and awaited his destiny.
Toward evening he spied a great
train of camels and horses moving
over the plain toward the pillar The
cavalcade stopped at the base of the
hill. Handsome tents We're raised,
showing the wealth of the Sheik or
Bassa who owned the train. Labakan
could hardly restrain his desire to
show himself at once and enjoy the
luxury that he saw spread out below
him, but he forced himself to wait till
the next morning, when his widest
dreams would be realized.
The morning sun awoke the delighted
tailor to the day which was to elevate
him from his base lot to the side of
royal father. As he bridled his horse
his conscience spoke to him once more.
His thoughts painted the wretched-
ness of the betrayed son. His soft
heart felt sorrow. But his vanity
whispered to him that he was hand
some enough to be any rulers son.
He sprang to his horse, gathered all
his courage to make it gallop, and rode
to the base of thezhill
There he dismounted from his horse,
drew the dagger and assembled the emf
nece, where six men stood at the base
of the pillar around a venerable, tall
man of princely mien. A garment of
cloth of gold, the priceless white
Cashmere shawl, the white turban set
with glowing gems proclaimed him as
a man of rank and wealth.
Labakan walked up to him, bowed
low and said: Here am I whom we
seek" holding out the dagger.
praised be the Prophet who pre-
served YOU" responded the old man
with tears of joy. Embrace thine old
my well-beloved son Omar"
The kindly tailor was deeply touched |
by these solemn words and sank into
the rulers arms with a mixture of joy
and shame.
He was to enjoy the satisfaction of
the welcome for only a moment. AS he
arose from the embrace his alarmed eye
saw a rider coming across the plain.
The horse seemed unable or unwilling
to move. 1t proceeded with STUN
bling step that was neither trot nor
walk. The rider was laboring savagely
with hands and feet to drive it on.
Labakan recognized Omar on Murva
at once. But his greed for the glorious
life that had opened before him drove
all other thoughts from his breast, and !
he was resolved to confront the be- |
trayed man with undaunted features
Even in the distance the rider had
begun to beckon and wave his hands.
When at last his floundering horse
reached the foot of the hill he leaped
from its back and dashed up the in
cline to the pillar
Hold; Holdw cried he, whoever
you may be, hold, and let yourselves
not be deceived by the most shameful
of traitors and cheatsi I am Omar!
Let no man dare to misuse my name"
Astonishment pervaded the throng. The
old man looked at one and then the other
of the young men with an inquiring and
perplexed glance. With forced composure
Labakan said: Most honored sir and
father This poor creature is a mad jour-
neyman tailor named Labakan of Alexan-
dria, who deserves more our pity than
our anger"
These words enraged the unfortunate
prince beyond all bounds. Grinding his
teeth with fury, he dashed toward Laba-
kan. The attendants threw themselves on
him and tried to hold him, which re-
doubled his fury so that # seemed indeed
as if he were mad. "Truly, my dear son."
said the ruler, the poor wretch is mad
indeed. Let him be bound and placed on
dromedary. Perchance we can help
him."
The rage of the Prince faded at these
words Weeping. he threw himself down
before his father and cried, my heart
fails me that you are my father 1 i'm
plore you by the memory of my mother
to listen to mel
"Alasp said the OLD nsa, ''he is talking
wildly. How did the poor creature ever
Labakan's arm and went down the hill.
There both mounted richly caparisoned
horses and rode away at the head Of tbs
party The unhappy Prince. tied hand
end foot, followed on dromedary guard
ed by two watchful riders.
The old man was saaud, Seltan Of the
Wechabites. When, after a long married
life without a child, SON was born to
him, the astrologers and soothsayers cast
his horoscope and announced that until
his twenty second year he would be in
danger of being displaced by an enemy.
To guard against this fate the Sultan sent
the child secretly to his friend, Elf Bey,
to be brought up without divulging his
parentage to amy one.
All this the Sultan told the tailor. He
seemed well pleased with Labakan's ap-
pearance and demeanor.
When they reached the Sultan's land
they were received with wild enthusiasm.
Arches of flowers and]eaves were erected
on all the streets of all the cities. Rugs Of
glowing tints decorated the houses. The
people praised Allah and his prophet aloud
for having sent them so beautiful \