Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-05

4S .. far-away land q
~ young orphan boy
kQs named Dan. If
he had a surname
no one ever heard him called by ii. He
was just Orphan Dan, and lived by the
earnings of his own hands. During pros
porous years, when crops were to be
gathered. Dan found plenty Of employ
ment, but following bad season OF too
much rain or a drought he had to go
poorly fed and more poorly housed and
clad. So that young Dan, aged four
teen. knew the meaning of want.
It happened very often that Dan went
about the alleys and back yards in the
rear of the houses Of the rich and looked
for old bottles, old tin and iron. These
CASTOR things he would sell to junk
shop for few pennies. In this way he
picked up enough money to tide him
through the hardest part OF the winter,
which, fortunately. were short in the
land where Dan lived. But they were
quite severe sometimes. snow lying over
then that Dan suffered most, for the cold
bit his tender flesh mercilessly. His coat
was thin and his shoes were much worn
One late afternoon during snowfall
Dan was walking about an alley which
ran behind very handsome house. He
was looking for things which may have
been thrown out by some of the rich
mems servants. Suddenly bit or shin
ing blue glass caught his eye. Now. there
was an apothecary in the town who
bought all the Old bottles that Dan could
find, and paid very good price for them,
too. So Dan, hoping that the blue glass
would turn out to be worth few pence.
smoothed away the snow and FOUND 1t TO
be the end of a very large, long-necked
bottle. Dan greedily picked it up and
held 1t tenderly against his breast He
began calculating on all the things that
the money from the sale Of the bottle
would bring him. First. there would be
bit of bread and smaller bit OF cheese.
Then there would be a candle to light
his little room so that he might see how
to mend his shoes that night before GO
ing to bed. Oh. the bottle was quite
little fortune to be picked up SO late
a very disappointing day. In vain he had
tried to get work from first this one
and that one, but all to whom he applied
for employment shook their heads ana
said they had no work Tor him pan.
being of an independent spirit. loving his
liberty and holding hopes for the future,
had thus kept himself from becoming an
apprentice to some weaver or ciotn or
maker of cartwheels, and had Jared better
even while considering his poverty and
suffering at times-than Jared the poor
little apprentice boy of his acquaintance
=
''r11 run to my room and clean out the
bottle" whispered Dan. And hiding his
blue treasure beneath his thin coat he
ran with all possible speed to his room.
which was in the rear Of a stable behind
a tumble-down inn no longer in use.
This room occupied by Dan had been
q SMALL meathouse, where winter provi-
sions had been stored. And while it was
cherries and cold. 1t was strong and
secure from the storms. In no place
did its roof leak. and the winds could
not get in through it's sides. So, from
one standpoint at least, the room was
haven of safety for Dan. and was rent
the few embers in the little fireplace, and
by the feeble light washed the bottle
clean. Then, the darkness setting in. he
decided he would wait q little before
going to the apothecary, for he knew
that he went to his evening meal about
that hour, and shut his shop till his
return.
The room being SO terribly cold. Dan
lay on his bed and drew the covers about
him: Thus he fell asleep, and might have
slumbered on for hours, being SO tired,
had not voice at his side spoken. Are
you wasting precious evening hours?"
asked the voice.
Dan quickly awoke and sat up, staring
become both warm and light, and fine
supper was smoking on the table beside
the glowing fireplace. Dan put his hand
to his head. saying to himself: I'm
asleep and dreaming. Oh. If only I might
awake to find everything just as l see 1t
In my dream!"
You are not asleep and dreaming, my
boy" spoke the voice. Then Dan looked
about to see who addressed him. He
had not been aware of any one entering
the room. His eyes rested on a queer
little figure. dressed in q quaint fashion
why, where did you come FROM" asked
Dan in a startled whisper.
Il came from yon blue BOTTLE" in
formed the queer little creature. I'm a
jinnee. Behold." And as he spoke the
room became aglow with falling SUM-
beams and diamond dust. Then. when
the atmosphere of the apartment had
become as usual again. Dan saw that a
large pewter pot stood in the middle of
the floor. running over with gold coins
What is all that money doing there?'
asked Dan In GREATNESS Amusement ut
is for you. providing you answer my
swered," replied the jinnee. Come, what
will you do with the first one hundred
coins that are on the top Of yonder pot
full of gold?"
Dan sat puzzled for a moment. thinking
what would be his desire to do with such
a fortune if left to him. "Ah. I would
make the towns poor happy by giving
them warmth and food" he replied quick
ly, an expression Of happiness settling on
his fine face.
jinnee. Remove the first one hundred
coins and place them in that silver box
on the table"
Dan did as requested. Now. close and