The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-25

you get those EarmentSG
Mother gave it to me- said Fairy
Tale,
Aha, So that is the way she wants
to ingratiate herself with us, /,
won't do Away with you, away
Shouting wildly, they raised their
sharp pens
| But / only want to visit the chi
l dren. Can you not permit that?
i begged Fairy Tale.
X Isn't there rabble enough like you
in the land already" said one of the
watchers. They merely gable lot
Of foollshness into the ears of the
| little ones"
Let us see what she knows this
time said another.
! Very we'll" cried the rest say
what YOU know but hasten, for we
have little time for such as yot,.''
AIRY Tale stretched forth her hand
and made swift motions in the air
| with her pointing index finger. At
| once gorgeous figures began to pass
| by A great caravan approached over
! a desert. Across the immense waste.
| where the eye could see nothing ex-
cept sand and sky, sounded the bells
| of the camels and the silvery iansling
!, Of horses harness q great cloud Of
! dust preceded the caravan, and when
] ever a little puff of air parted the
clous ihomentarily the glitter of
| weapons and bright garments cleaned
! forth.
At last the armed vanguard parted
to right and left and paused, waiting
! for the rest Thirty camels, heavily
i laden, drew past. led by armed men.
Behind them came five richly dressed
! merchants to whom the caravan be-
( longeT They alighted and entered a
! great tent of blue silk, which the men
! had erected as by magic. Gold en-
brotdered 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 a long time. putting
| blue clouds and watching their slow
diffusion. At last one spoke
"As it is my turn to tell story
will give YOU, If it please you. oh
friends the Story of Caliph Stork."
/, The merchants moved closer together
| and nodded gravely, The story teller
/ stroked his long beard. took a long
draught of sorbet, and began;
One fine summer afternoon the Caltph
! Chasld of Bagdad sat contentedly on
his divan. He had slumbered a little
for it was hot day, and now, after
| his rest. he looked quite iovial He
smoked a long rosewood pipe, slipped a
| little coffee that Il slave poured for
| him, and stroked his beard with salts
| faction whenever his palate was es-
pecially pleased. In short, any one
could see that the Caliph felt extreme
ly we'll indeed.
At such an hour one could best ap-
! proach him. for he was mild and
genial; therefore his Grand Nizier,
Manson, visited him every day at that
| n i,11e MI J.,
/ rived as usual. but, contrary to his
habit, he was most meditative The
i Caliph removed his pipe for moment
and asked: why is your face so
thoughtful, Grand Vizier?"
The Grand Nizier crossed his arms
over his breast, bowed and replied
Master, whether or not / have a
thoughtful face, ! know not; but at the
entrance of the palace there is a ped
angers me not to have superfuous
wealth.
i The Caliph had Ions desired to give
his Grand Vizier pleasure. He sent
a black slave after the peddler, and the
latter was soon in his presence. He
was fat little man, extremely swarthy
and CARRIED 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 least the Caliph
bought beautiful pistols for himself
and Manson and comb for tte lat
shutting his chest the Caliph spied a
small drawer and asked what was in
lit.
The peddler opened 1t and displayed
a snuff box with black powder and a
paper with strange characters. which
neither the Caliph nor the Grand Vizier
could read
I These were given TO me one day by
a merchant who found them in the
street in Mecca" said the little ped
der. Il do not know what they are
They are at your service for a small
sum, for l cannot do anything witt
!, them.
The caliph was Very fond of ole
though he could not read them. HI
, purchased snuff-boX and writing anc
! dismissed the peddler. Then he asked
! his vizier if he knew of any one who
) gknight declpher the manuscript.
Most gracious Master and Com
a mander," said Manson. near the grea
mosque lives a man who is called Sc
linn the Learned, and understands al
d languages. Let him be called. He ma,
; understand these mysterious charac
ters."
;. The learned selim was brought with
/ out delay "selim,' said the Caliph
U kindly. ut Is said that you arc mos
: learned Take a peep at this writing
lIf YOU can read 1t you shall have a new
It holiday garment. If you can't, yol
II shall have Twelve blows on the cheel