South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-12
Novelized by William A. Page
From the Play to be Presented
at the Oliver Theater Week of
Sept. 9th.
CHAPTER I
The PalaCe Of hasim Baba


san gold because Of the coming visit
Of the famous Chinese Mandarin the
great Chu Chin Chow, Of China
News had been brought by special
courier 10 BagdaG that a .-ich cara
van was en- route through the desert
escorting the great potentate OF The
Tar East.
Kasim Baba. ever eager 20 turn
an honest or q dishonest dinar, had
planned the feast in honor OF the
Oriental stranger. hoping that per-
chance much trade and many silks
and satins might become his, II ne
could only AL the Chinese throat
with sufficient liquor.
Abdullah. the chief steward Of the
household. had been told 10 spare
no expense in preparing for the
feast Dozens Of Nubian slaves ran
back and forth arranging the divans
and the settees for the distinguished
guest and his escort. In the kitchens
rare fowls were being trussed and
roasted, strange dishes were being
concocted by the resourceful Abdul
lah, and the keeper OF the wine cell
llr busted of some of his oldest and
most precious wines 20 quench the
Chinese thirst that was so rapidly
approaching across the desert sands
toward the great and powerful city
OF baEQaQt the ItNAE4 b4 + ~ SD anu
the center OF the universe.
IN the Palace itself. Kaam Baba,
the elderly and misery scarecrow
who had accumulated a hoard Of
gold BY denying himself the simples
OF luxuries EXCEPT when he thought
The expenditure would bring in much
more gold than he had 20 pay out
surveyed himself with proud salts
faction. only Alcolom, his head
wife, the official mistress OF his
harenl. sighed behind his back as she
saw him IN these rich garments Tor
Alcolonn was as fair ard fat by con-
4rast as Kasirn Baba was lean and
lcIv. And Alcolom deigned not TO
disguise her scorn and hate for her
worthy master
In the gorgeous hail OF state Of
the palace Abdullah. the steward,
cave the fnal directions for the feast
and the entertainment IN honor OF
The visit OF the Chinese merchant
Chu Chin Chow.
AS the Nubian slaves completed
their task OF arranging the great
dishes OF gold and silver. laden with
rare fruits. Abdullah turned ana
faced a beautiful young woman
,-7onr. vet with much OF the wisdom
of the world IN her eyes-as she
efroIled down the great stair dse OF
the raIaCe II was z hrat-ai- fNu-
lub. dark of face and eyes, her hslr
rIose-cropped so that IL fell just 10
ler shoulders. she surveyed halt-
.,,11v TIE preparatiQns for the feast
How. now. Abdullah, what guest
art thou preparing for tonight she
a-ked with a somewhat bored air
reclining upon a divan in front OF
Great antique throne chair. evidently
placed f6f the coming guest OF
honor.
Abduuah bowed low before the
beautiful Zahrat-al-Kulub the fair
,st slave IN the harem Of kasim
"Knouest thou not. oh Zahrat-al-
r<ulub" he replied respectfully,
that our master this night will en-
tortain Chu Chin Chow, a rich mer-
chant from China o.
The slave laughed harshly
Whereby the rich merchant viii
wax richer and our master kasim
rha poorer. Ell o." she cried scorn-
fully
Abduuah surveyed her I'm blisstul
aeronishment and Ignorance.
What neanest thou. oh serious
and mysterious one ~ he asked.
The girl rose 20 her feet laZlly, ana
came toward the steward.
After every such feast Of hono~
., these travelling strangers from
afar she said. meaningly "ba for
tune knoCketh AZ the door or h1slm
Bahia
the servant.
-ir OF Sharazynar. who came 20 US
rot long since
Ave whose bilious skin Kasim
sought 20 render even more bilious
with feast of rich fat food which
had 20 prepare" added the chief
steward. sadly.
And before the next new moon.
one Of Kasim's vessels. laden with
perfumes and spices from the Indies,
was sunk al sea by pirates. Ana
--eD there was the wealthy laCoub.
~ Damascus. Ne remember him
we'll for We cooked strange dishes
TOR him And then there was the
oval Grecian prince, Constantine
..N-eh." Abduiah nodded. reminis-
Gently. with whom our master
1oinsd IN a three days Orgy Of rare
Irvptian wines ard strong waters
from the west.
And before his head had cooled.
- news came OF a rich caravan - -ked
lv robbers in the Bagdad pass add
I'd the slave girl.
.Seb-thou speai-est truth. Zah-
-at-al-Kulub. Allah hath indeed eN-
acted heavy payment from. kasim
F-ba for each and everv strayirg
from his wo.-ted path OF rzeanness.
For which Allah ever be
,.~sIsed." uu-ruured Zahrat. rever-
srtlv. vet there was & subtle mean
srg IN her voice a. she asked the
-lt,fshr,e7t o. Allah upon her hated
master that did not escape the at
tantion Of the chief steward. He TOO
hated Easfm i}aoo
amin" he murmurcd. bowling
Ivy as he crossed bis arIrs mock
tnriv. 1T matters not % IS. this
. fesst. for ~ r. seldom good vines
- r4ch foods md their way
rhrouEh the portals % Kasim's pal
ace"
Wherefore 4 matters ht.le 20 Us,
his slaves. whether he be rich or
poor" added the girl bitterly
..vvopls 10 Allah he lost everything
che shrfveIIed son OF dog
Once more Abdullah crossed his
a~ms Amin, Allah hear thy
fraver." he whispered
Hush interrupted the slave girl.
~Go and bring IN the wines. for Al