The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-03

 lection of Oriental tales-the Arabian Nights" It will be noticed that tho scene of the story is not laid in respect to what might be called it's home set ting in Persia Ara bia Asia Minor but in China; though in it's details and style the story seems to be as purely Arabian" in character as any of the others of the tales. It is evidently some old Chinese story filtered through the minds of Persian or Arabian story telers. The idea of a lamp by the sim pie rubbing of which genii of unlimited powers could be commanded js one which has held the fancy of the world since Galland made known to Western readers the story of Aladdin, and the palace which the slaves of the lamp built for the owner of the lamp has be- come synonomous with unrivaled splen- dor and Luxury. so that when one wishes to use superlative in describ- ing house it Is sufficient to say Tt is perfect Aladdin's palace" As to the moral and morals of the story they could be summed up in the words of that celebrated chapter on snakes in the history of Ireland.
 A LADDIN was about as hopeless a
 "A boy as played about the streets \ of the capital of China. His father, respectable and hard working man, was tailor, and tried to teach this son his own business. But Aladdin would rather hang about with the other urchins and play marbles than learn respectable trade. There was every prospect that Aladdin would grow up a loafer and be buried in a paupers grave. His lack of ambition and his general shiftlessness so worried his father that the good old tailor at last died, leaving his widow and his son without any support. The widow was a th rifty soul. however and by work ing herself at everything which came to her hand managed, by hard efforts. to keep body and soul together for herself and son. Aladdin was now getting to be young man. yet still he hung about the streets and refused to work. He seemed predestined to destruction here and hereafter
 But he was possessed of one quality which at length saved him-he arose to situations, and prosperity steadied him instead of destroying him utterly as 1t does many men. In poverty Aladdin was worthless--in prosperity he was worthy. And his peculiar character is possessed by more men than the world in general believes, even unto the pres ent day. One day as the youth was loitering about the streets there came to him a venerable man in the dress of traveller, who. after looking at him intently, said: Are you not Aladdin, the son of the tailor?" The youth an swered that he was that person. and, not knowing that the stranger had be- fore addressing him made inquiries of the bystanders as to his name and sta tlon. was much surprised to be thus ac- costed.
 The traveller embraced Aladdin. and, after kissing him both cheeks, cried out that he was the boys lost uncle, the brother of his father. the tailor and that he had been seeking through the world for this nephew Meet me here tomorrow said the stranger, and we will further talk of your future. I must meet your good mother, and together We will plan for your future, which. l be- lieve I can make pleasant for you with riches" Aladdin ran home and said to his mother: Have I, indeed, an uncle the brother of my father?' "No,' replied the widow, neither on your fathers side nor mine have you an uncle. Who told you such tale?' Then Aladdin told her of his meeting with the stranger. The good woman was much puzzled, but told Aladdin to bring the man to the house the next day.
 When they met as by appointment the venerable and staid person accosted Alad- din as he had said he would, and together they repaired to the house of the poor ygidow. You need not think it strange 5that you have never before heard of me-" said the crafty stranger, but your hus- band and I had a falling out early in , youth, and. doubtless. he never men, tipned my name to you. l, after our dis agreement, went into Africa, and have thetre prospered. But as the years have yoliee by, have thought more and more of my brother, and am convinced that in our argument I was in the wrong and he in the right. Therefore have 1 re- turned 10 this city to seek out him who, alas, is dead. But 1 find his family. and for them will do those kind deeds which l had hoped to do for my brother. And you, Aladdin, what Is your business?'
 The widow, convinced that she really stood in the presence of her husbands brother exclaimed that her son did noth- ing: that he was a loafer and ne er-do- well; that lis father had tried to make tailor of him, but the boy had been lazy and obdurate. This is not we'll" said the supposed uncle Nephew, you must have some business in life. All men do not like the same business, nor can they take care of it, or understand it properly. Now, If you do not like the business of tailor, would that of a linen merchant suit you? will buy you little ship and fill it with goods. You must sell these, and with the proceeds you can buy bigger shop and 10 progress to wealth and industry Aladdin was delighted with the prospect, for. however long a youth may be idle and lazy, the time comes when, if he has any good in him at all. he will yearn for work and better things And, really. this house." continued the stranger ..is not fitting place for the residence of my brothers widow. Come you with me tomorrow, Aladdin, and we will inspect some houses in the suburbs to select one which will be more fitting a home for you and my sister-in-law." Then gravely the stranger took his departure.
 Al matter of fact this stranger was an African magician who, having cast his f.1 frt .f<t.