The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
s5UcHA PALACE AND o5uH GARDEN BuD Mrr KING


 out scouts to ascertain what had hap pened to the invading hosts. The scouts returned with the news that a Christian army had advanced through the heart of the Sierra until almost within sight of Granada, when dissension had broken out amond it's members who. after a bloody battle among themselves, had retreated in panic over the border.
 Aben Habuz was transported with joy at the success of the taisman and called upon Ibrahim to name his reward. No compensation could be too great for the service he had rendered an old and peace able monarch. For now" said Aben. shall live in peace and security all the rest of my days and my foes cannot as- sail me-" '"The wants Of an old man and philosopher are simple" replied Ibra- him. grant me but the means of fitting up my cave as a suitable hermitage and I am content" How noble is the modera- tion of the truly wise!" exclaimed the King. As a matter of fact, Aben like many old men. was penurious and had trembled In his soul after his first trans- port was over at the thought of what the astrologer might demand for doing him such a signal service. When the learned doctor made this modest request he was almost as much pleased as he had been at the success of the talisman, and gave orders that Ibrahim should be supplied with whatever he needed to complete his cave and fit 1t up. He had got most valuable possession and had got it cheap. he thought, and the King was doubly happy.
 First Ibrahim decided that he would like to have his quarters enlarged a trifie and gave orders to have various chambers hewn out of the solid rock, so as to form vast range of apartments connected with his astrological hall The kings treasurer paid the bills and wondered what next. He found out. Old Ibrahim said, with sigh, T am an old man and can no longer rest my bones on touches of stone, and these damp walls require covering. will have some simple fur nishings.' So he had the rock-hewn apartments filled with luxurious ottomans and divans, and the walls hung with the richest silks of Damascus The grooming treasurer paid the bills And now" said Ibrahim, "I would have me simple bath for bath Is necessary to counteract the rigidity of age and to restore supple ness and freshness to the frame withered by study So he had elaborate baths constructed and provided with all kinds of perfumes and aromatic oils. ''The light of the sum-" said Ibrahim, ''is too garish for the eyes of an old man and the light of Ia, of philosopher" So he had the apart ments hung with innumerabe lamps of crystal and silver and filled the lamps with fragrant oil prepared by himself according to a receipt which he had dis covered among the tombs of Egypt. This oil was perpetual in its nature and diff. fused a soft radiance like the tempered light of day.
 The treasurer could stand it no longer A continuance of this philosophic simplc- ity would work such havoc with the royal treasury as would be hard to repair. He went to Aben Habuz and stated the case. what was to be dones
 Habuz shrugged, his shoulders. The royal word had been passed "we must have patience" he said 'sThis old man has evidently taken his idea of phil osophc retreat from the interior of the , pyramids and of the vast ruins of Egypt. But all things must have an end and so i must the furnishings of his cavern. should say that it would be hard for him to think of anything more" The king was right. Ibrahlm declared that his her mltage was complete and thanked the i king for providing him with such mod i est yet comfortable retreat for his old 1 age. Then he shut himself up in his l hermitage and remained for three whole days engaged in profound study 1 At the end of that time he appeared before the treasurer and said There is one thing more would have to make my satisfaction complete, one trifing solace for the intervals of my mental labor. The treasurer shuddered but replied: 'Oh, wise 1brahim, I am bound to fur nish you everything necessary for thy solitude. What more dost thou require ?" 'I would fain have a few dancing wbm- en- replied the sage meekly. Dancing women!" cried the treasurer. Dancing women, replied Ibrahim gravely, "and let them be young and fair to look upon; for the sight of youth and beauty is re- freshing. A few will suffice for am a philosopher of simple habits and easily satisfied" The dancing women were pro vided, young and fair to look upon as per order, and Ibrahim retired again to the studious retreat where he now spent nearly all of his time.
 | The king did not miss him much he was busy carrying on furious wars in the round chamber at the top of the magic tower. It was an exceedingly pleasant