New-York tribune., 1922-04-02
TALE OF THE CALIPH'S WAGE
By FREDERIC r. VAN de WATER

Ho, we money changers of the bazaars,
draw near. Merchants and venders all and
every man who knoweth the CHEEKY ring of
coin upon coin give to the thousand and
forty-thrd tale told by the Sultana Shahrazad
to her lord Shahryar, King Of Kings. even the
tale of the good Caliph Hy-an and those who
attempted to purchase virtue.
Bright are the good deeds of Hy-lan of the
Ruddy Countenance. CT brillance are they
only surpassed by the glory Of his visage
Profound is the wisdom, of the Caliph set in
authority over the Faithful. Deep is it as
the truth contained in the words of Wilt bn
Hearst, the Sheik ul Isam-and not an ell
deeper
For it came to pass in the fourth year Of
the Profit that the watchers on the walls Of
the city shouted that caravan approached.
And when it drew near it was seen that it had
come from afar, for the dust of travel lay
heavy the garments Of those who bestrode
the cames. Then, when the warders Of the
city had demanded the business of those who
approached, one, the leader of the caravan,
spake aloud, saying:
Behold, we have journeyed many days and
nights to this thy city, for men have told US
in far lands of the virtue and wisdom and
eth as thy Caliph. And the tales they have
told have fired our curiosity so that our souls
would give US no peace until we approached
him and saw for ourselves with own eyes
whether all that hath been said of him were
truth Hasten, then, implore ye, and apprise
thy lord Of our coming and beg in our name
audience with him"
And it was as the caravan leader had said,
and while the camels knelt in the market place
and the riders thereof descended couriers sped
to the palace Of the Caliph Hy-lan of the
Ruddy Countenance and, knowing from the
glow shining the window of his private Office
that he was within, made summons at the por-
tai thereof.
Then, when the Caliph had learned that
strangers approached to see him, dropped he
one hand to the hlt of his scimiter, and with
a doubtful voice said he: "Come they per
chance from the wells of Al Bany? If so let
the cadrons of boiling oil be heated forth
with. I have concluded my dealings with the
people Of that land"
But when the courier apprised the lord Of
The city of the errand of the pilgrims the eye
Of Hy-lan grew kind and smile spread on
his visage, and. Strengthening his tarboosh be-
fore mirror and smoothing out Of the front
Of his kaftan such wrinkles as let themselves
/ De smoothed, he said:
"Iet them approach my palace, for indeed
eheir errand itself telleth me they be learned
men"
Then approached the leader Of the caravan
and his second in command and they bore be-
l4ween them they walked a mighty sack
whose weight strained their arms.
& And when they into the presence Of
the Caiph and visoned him in his glory they
both fell upon their faces, and the sack chlnked
loudly as it fell with them. And as they
Isalaamed said to the other beneath his
breath: "Behold, it's better than I wot. Even
twenty thousand dinars were not too much to
fpay for it."
hi Then rose the Caliph from his throne and
!oade the men from afar to stand before him,
Sand. reading from the scroll that his scrbes
mad prepared hastily, spalle as follows
III 'T am delighted to see you all to-day. am
FOR the people ard against the interests. This
3ss the brightest. cleanest and best city in the
Esxor]d. and it is blest in its ruler. Shun the
.EFales Of the kept press and believe only what
.gt hon nearest from ne. AS I remarked, am
gror the people and against the interests. II
gron will now proces<. to the steps Of the palace
The photographers in attendance Will take por-
Traits of you in my company that you may
lenerish them for all time"
IA And when he had concluded, emotion stirred
lin the breasts of the strangers who, had heard
.ihis words and one quoth to the other out OF
ishe corner Of his mouth:
ii "By the camel of TatimA, it is all true what
llhey have told US of him. And it is my be-
lief that even 10000 dinars is not too much
las be stands he is riot"