No More Learning

Then, smoothing her wrapper over
her knees she remarked, as if opening a desultory conversation,
"Thar's a power of rain outside. "
Mr. Hamlin's only response to this meteorological observation
was a yawn, and a preliminary tug at his coat as he began to
remove it.
"I thought ye couldn't mind doin' me a favor," continued
Peg, with a hard, awkward laugh, "partik'ly seein' ez folks
allowed you'd sorter bin a friend o' mine, and hed stood up for
me at times when you hedn't any partikler call to do it. I
hevn't," she continued, looking down at her lap and following
with her finger and thumb a seam of her gown,-"I hevn't so
many friends ez slings a kind word for me these times that I
disremember them. " Her under lip quivered a little here; and
after vainly hunting for a forgotten handkerchief, she finally
lifted the hem of her gown, wiped her snub nose upon it, but
left the tears still in her eyes as she raised them to the man.
Mr. Hamlin, who had by this time divested himself of his
coat, stopped unbuttoning his waistcoat and looked at her.
"Like ez not thar'll be high water on the North Fork, ef
this rain keeps on," said Peg, as if apologetically, looking toward
the window.
The other rain having ceased, Mr. Hamlin began to unbutton
his waistcoat again.
"I wanted to ask ye a favor about Mr. -about - Jack Folins-
bee," began Peg again hurriedly. "He's ailin' agin, and is
mighty low. And he's losin' a heap o' money here and thar,
and mostly to you. You cleaned him out of two thousand dol-
lars last night—all he had. "
"Well? " said the gambler coldly.
XII-439


## p. 7010 (#402) ###########################################

BRET HARTE
7010
"Well, I thought as you woz a friend o' mine, I'd ask ye to
let up a little on him," said Peg with an affected laugh.
kin do it. Don't let him play with ye. "
« You
"Mistress Margaret Moffat," said Jack with lazy deliberation,
taking off his watch and beginning to wind it up, "ef you're
that much stuck after Jack Folinsbee, you kin keep him off of
me much easier than I kin. You're a rich woman. Give him
enough money to break my bank, or break himself for good and
all; but don't keep him forlin' round me in hopes to make a
raise. It don't pay, Mistress Moffat it don't pay! "
A finer nature than Peg's would have misunderstood or re-
sented the gambler's slang, and the miserable truths that under-
lay it.
But she comprehended him instantly, and sat hopelessly
silent.
-
"Ef you'll take my advice," continued Jack, placing his watch
and chain under his pillow and quietly unloosing his cravat,
"you'll quit this yer forlin', marry that chap, and hand over to
him the money and the money-makin' that's killin' you. He'll
get rid of it soon enough. I don't say this because I expect
to git it; for when he's got that much of a raise, he'll make a
break for 'Frisco, and lose it to some first-class sport there. I
don't say, neither, that you mayn't be in luck enough to reform
him. I don't say neither-and it's a derned sight more likely!
- that you mayn't be luckier yet, and he'll up and die afore he
gits rid of your money. But I do say you'll make him happy
now; and ez I reckon you're about ez badly stuck after that
chap ez I ever saw any woman, you won't be hurtin' your own
feelin's either. "
"No. "
The blood left Peg's face as she looked up. "But that's why
I can't give him the money; and he won't marry me with-
out it. "
Mr. Hamlin's hand dropped from the last button of his waist-
coat. "Can't
him-the-money? " he repeated slowly.
give
Why? "
"Because
- because I love him. "
Mr. Hamlin rebuttoned his waistcoat, and sat down patiently
on the bed. Peg arose, and awkwardly drew the portmanteau a
little nearer to him.
"When Jim Byways left me this yer property," she began,
looking cautiously around, "he left it to me on conditions; not


## p. 7011 (#403) ###########################################

BRET HARTE
7011
conditions ez waz in his written will, but conditions ez waz
spoken. A promise I made him in this very room, Mr. Hamlin,
this very room, and on that very bed you're sittin' on, in
which he died. "
Like most gamblers, Mr. Hamlin was superstitious. He rose
hastily from the bed, and took a chair beside the window. The
wind shook it as if the discontented spirit of Mr. Byways were
without, reinforcing his last injunction.
"I don't know if you remember him," said Peg feverishly.
"He was a man ez hed suffered. All that he loved-wife, fam-
merly, friends - had gone back on him. He tried to make light
of it afore folks; but with me, being a poor gal, he let himself
out. I never told anybody this. I don't know why he told me;
I don't know," continued Peg with a sniffle, "why he wanted to
make me unhappy too. But he made me promise that if he left
me his fortune, I'd never, never,- so help me God! -never share
it with any man or woman that I loved. I didn't think it would
be hard to keep that promise then, Mr. Hamlin, for I was very
poor, and hedn't a friend nor a living bein' that was kind to me
but him. "
xxx
"But you've as good as broken your promise already," said
Hamlin. "You've given Jack money, as I know. "
"Only what I made myself. Listen to me, Mr. Hamlin.
When Jack proposed to me, I offered him about what I kalki-
lated I could earn myself. When he went away, and was sick
and in trouble, I came here and took this hotel. I knew that
by hard work I could make it pay. Don't laugh at me, please.
I did work hard, and did make it pay—without takin' one cent
of the fortin'. And all I made, workin' by night and day, I
gave to him; I did, Mr. Hamlin. I ain't so hard to him as you
think, though I might be kinder, I know. "
Mr. Hamlin rose, deliberately resumed his coat, watch, hat,
and overcoat. When he was completely dressed again, he turned
to Peg.
"Do you mean to say that you've been givin' all the money
you made here to this A first-class cherubim ? »
"Yes; but he didn't know where I got it. O Mr. Hamlin! he
didn't know that. "
"Do I understand you, that he's been bucking agin faro
with the money that you raised on hash? and you makin' the
hash? "


## p. 7012 (#404) ###########################################

7012
BRET HARTE
"But he didn't know that. He wouldn't hev took it if I'd
told him. "
"No, he'd hev died fust! " said Mr. Hamlin gravely. "Why,
he's that sensitive, is Jack Folinsbee, that it nearly kills him
to take money even of me. But where does this angel reside
when he isn't fightin' the tiger, and is, so to speak, visible to the
naked eye? "
"He he stops here," said Peg, with an awkward blush.
"I see. Might I ask the number of his room; or should I
be a disturbing him in his meditations? " continued Jack Ham-
-
lin, with grave politeness.
"Oh! then you'll promise? And you'll talk to him, and make
him promise? »
―
-
"Of course," said Hamlin quietly.
"And you'll remember he's sick
very sick? His room's No.
44, at the end of the hall. Perhaps I'd better go with you? "
"I'll find it. "
-
"And you won't be too hard on him? "
"I'll be a father to him," said Hamlin demurely, as he opened
the door, and stepped into the hall. But he hesitated a moment,
and then turned, and gravely held out his hand. Peg took it
timidly. He did not seem quite in earnest; and his black eyes,
vainly questioned, indicated nothing. But he shook her hand
warmly, and the next moment was gone.
He found the room with no difficulty. A faint cough from
within, and a querulous protest, answered his knock. Mr. Ham-
lin entered without further ceremony. A sickening smell of
drugs, a palpable flavor of stale dissipation, and the wasted figure
of Jack Folinsbee, half dressed, extended upon the bed, greeted
him. Mr. Hamlin was for an instant startled. There were hol-
low circles round the sick man's eyes; there was palsy in his
trembling limbs; there was dissolution in his feverish breath.
"What's up? " he asked huskily and nervously.
"I am, and I want you to get up too. "
"I can't, Jack. I'm regularly done up. " He reached his shak-
ing hand towards a glass half filled with suspicious pungent-
smelling liquid; but Mr. Hamlin stayed it.
"Do you want to get back that two thousand dollars you
lost? »
"Yes. "
"Well, get up, and marry that woman down-stairs. "


## p. 7013 (#405) ###########################################

BRET HARTE
Folinsbee laughed, half hysterically, half sardonically.
"She won't give it to me. "
"No; but I will. "
"You? »
"Yes. "
7013
Folinsbee, with an attempt at a reckless laugh, rose, trembling
and with difficulty, to his swollen feet. Hamlin eyed him nar-
rowly, and then bade him lie down again. «To-morrow will
do," he said, and then ".
«<
"If I don't — "
"If you don't," responded Hamlin, "why, I'll just wade in
and cut you out! »
But on the morrow Mr. Hamlin was spared that possible act
of disloyalty; for in the night, the already hesitating spirit of
Mr. Jack Folinsbee took flight on the wings of the southeast
storm. When or how it happened nobody knew. Whether this
last excitement, and the near prospect of matrimony, or whether
an overdose of anodyne, had hastened his end, was never known.
I only know that when they came to awaken him the next
morning, the best that was left of him -a face still beautiful
and boy-like-looked up coldly at the tearful eyes of Peg Mof-
fat. "It serves me right,-it's a judgment," she said in a low
whisper to Jack Hamlin; "for God knew that I'd broken my
word, and willed all my property to him. "
She did not long survive him. Whether Mr. Hamlin ever
clothed with action the suggestion indicated in his speech to the
lamented Jack that night, is not of record. He was always her
friend, and on her demise became her executor. But the bulk of
her property was left to a distant relation of handsome Jack
Folinsbee, and so passed out of the control of Red Dog forever.


## p. 7014 (#406) ###########################################

7014
WILHELM HAUFF
WILHELM HAUFF
(1802-1827)
W
ILHELM HAUFF was born at Stuttgart, November 29th, 1802.
His brief life was as happy as it was uneventful. He died
at the age of twenty-five, and the period of his literary work
was comprised within his last two years. This short time however
sufficed to express his extraordinary genius, though the loss to litera-
ture by his early death cannot be estimated.
He was the son of August Friedrich Hauff, Government Secretary
of Foreign Affairs. His father died when he was but seven years of
age, and the education of the children de-
volved upon the mother, a woman of great
intelligence, whose influence over her sen-
sitive son was the result of a perfect un-
derstanding of his emotional nature. As a
lad, Wilhelm Hauff showed very little in-
dication of talent. His school career was
far from brilliant, and it was only in the
family circle that he gave evidence of his
real abilities. He had absorbed Goethe and
Schiller into his inmost fibre, and with his
mother and sisters for an indulgent au-
dience, he declaimed long passages from
'Egmont' and 'Wallenstein. ' He roved at
liberty in the library of his grandfather,
which appears to have been a large miscellaneous collection from
various languages and literatures, and the fantastic character of his
imagination was early manifested by his love for weird tales and
stories of adventure. His education was necessarily somewhat des-
ultory, as his constitution was delicate, and periodical attacks of ill-
ness precluded any systematic or rigorous course.
In 1820 he entered the University of Tübingen, where, following
the wishes of his mother rather than his own inclinations, he studied
theology and in 1824 received his degree. In 1826 appeared his first
volume of tales, 'Das Märchen-Almanach' (The Story Almanac). Two
other volumes of the 'Märchen-Almanach' followed. This first little
collection of stories, although overshadowed by his later works, never-
theless strikes the keynote of his peculiar fancy. Nowhere are more
strikingly shown his dramatic power and his delicious humor. The



## p. 7015 (#407) ###########################################

WILHELM HAUFF
7015
success of this first effort encouraged him to devote himself wholly to
literature. The first volume of 'Mittheilungen aus den Memoiren
des Satan' (Communications from the Memoirs of Satan), a fragment-
ary production of much humor, published anonymously, appeared
immediately after (1826), and in the same year followed 'Der Mann
im Mond, von H. Clauren' (The Man in the Moon, by H. Clauren).
This was originally intended as a caricature of the sentimentality of
Clauren; but what was meant as a parody became a distinct imita-
tion. As it was published under the name of Clauren, that aggrieved
author had grounds for legal redress, and won the suit which he
brought against Hauff. To some extent, however, the tables were
turned by the amusing controversy which ensued, and in the lists of
wit and satire Hauff came off victor.
'Lichtenstein: Romantische Sage aus der Württembergischen Ge-
schichte' (Lichtenstein: A Romantic Tale from Würtemberg History:
1826), a so-called historical romance, none the worse from the fact
that its history though always justified was pure fabrication, was
received with great favor; and on the high tide of prosperity the
young author set out for a tour through France, Belgium, and Ger-
In 1827 he undertook the editorship of the Stuttgart Morgen-
blatt; and secure of the future through the powerful patronage of
the publisher Cotta, he married a distant cousin of his own name, to
whom he had long been attached. He spent the summer of 1827 in
the Tyrol, where he was engaged upon another historical novel,
which was to deal with the War of Freedom of 1809.
This was
never finished. In the autumn of the same year his health began to
fail, and on October 18th, 1827, he died at Stuttgart.
Hauff's powers of work were enormous, and he produced his
stories in rapid succession. 'Das Bild des Kaisers' (The Portrait of
the Emperor), a poetic piece of romance, and 'Die Bettlerin vom
Pont des Arts' (The Beggar of the Pont des Arts), are masterpieces
of their kind. Among the best of his productions must be ranked
'Phantasien im Bremer Rathskeller' (Phantasies in the Bremen Raths-
keller: 1827). It is however most especially in the series of tales
'The Caravan,' 'The Sheik of Alexandria,' and 'The Inn in Spessart,'
that Hauff's high originality is best exemplified. He is pre-eminently
a story-teller, and his pure and lucid style is the transparent medium
for the expression of strikingly bold dramatic ideas. His wit is
singularly delicate, yet penetrating, and he exercises a fascination
over persons of all ages and conditions. The popularity which he at
once attained is still unabated. His collected works continue to be
issued in numerous editions, and his place in German literature seems
now as assured as it has always been in the hearts of his country-
men.


## p. 7016 (#408) ###########################################

7016
WILHELM HAUFF
THE STORY OF THE CALIPH STORK
From The Caravan'
THE
HE Caliph Chasid of Bagdad was sitting, one fine summer
afternoon, comfortably on his divan; he had slept a little,
for it was a sultry day, and he looked quite refreshed after
his nap.
He smoked a long rosewood pipe, sipped now and then
a little coffee which a slave poured out for him, and stroked his
beard contentedly whenever he had enjoyed it: in short, it could
be seen at a glance that the Caliph felt very comfortable.
At
such a time it was easy to approach him, as he was very good-
tempered and affable; wherefore his Grand Vizier Mansor visited
him every day about this time. This afternoon he came as usual,
looking however very grave,-a rare thing for him. The Caliph
took the pipe out of his mouth and said, "Why dost thou make
so grave a face, Grand Vizier ? » The Grand Vizier folded his
arms across his breast, bowed to his master, and answered, "Mas-
ter!
whether I assume a grave appearance I know not, but down
below in the palace stands a peddler who has such fine wares
that it vexes me that I have no money to spare. "
The Caliph, who had long desired to rejoice the heart of his
Grand Vizier, ordered his black slave to fetch the peddler. In a
few moments the slave returned with him. He was a little stout
man, swarthy in the face, and dressed in rags. He carried a
box in which he had all sorts of wares: pearls and rings, pistols
with richly inlaid stocks, goblets, and combs. The Caliph and
his Vizier inspected everything, and the Caliph at last bought
for himself and Vizier a pair of pistols, and for the Vizier's wife
a comb. As the peddler was about to close his box again the
Caliph caught sight of a little drawer, and asked whether that
also contained some wares. The peddler pulled out the drawer,
and exhibited a snuff-box containing a black powder and a piece
of paper with peculiar writing on it, which neither the Caliph
nor Mansor could read. "These things were given to me one
day by a merchant who found them in the streets of Mecca,"
said the peddler. "I know not what they are; but you may
have them for a small sum, for they are of no use to me. "
The Caliph, who was very fond of having old manuscripts in
his library, though unable to read them, bought both paper and
box and dismissed the peddler. He thought however he would


## p. 7017 (#409) ###########################################

WILHELM HAUFF
7017
like to know what the writing meant, and asked the Vizier if he
knew of no one who could decipher it.
«<
"Most gracious lord and master," answered the latter, near
the Great Mosque lives a man called Selim the Learned; he
knows all languages. Send for him: perhaps he can explain
these mysterious signs. "
The learned Selim soon arrived. << Selim," said the Caliph to
him, "Selim, it is said thou art very learned. Just look at this
writing, whether thou canst read it: if thou canst read, thou get-
test a new robe of honor from me; if thou canst not, thou gettest
twelve boxes on the ears and twenty-five lashes on the soles of
the feet, for having been called Selim the Learned without
cause. "
Selim bowed and said, "Thy will be done, O master! ”
For a
long time he looked at the writing; then suddenly he exclaimed,
"That is Latin, O master, or let me be hung! "
"Say what it means," demanded the Caliph, "if it is Latin. ”
Selim began to translate:- "Man who findest this, praise Allah
for his goodness. He who takes a pinch of this powder in this
box and therewith says 'Mutabor,' can change himself into any
animal, and also understand the language of animals. If he after-
wards wish to resume his human form, let him bow thrice to the
East and say the same word. But beware when thou art changed
that thou laughest not, or the magic word departeth from thy
memory forever and thou remainest a beast. "
When Selim the Learned had read this, the Caliph was pleased
beyond measure. He made the learned man swear not to reveal
the secret to any one, presented him with a splendid robe, and
dismissed him. Then turning to his Grand Vizier he said, "This
I call getting a bargain, Mansor! How glad I am at being able
to become an animal! Come thou to me to-morrow morning. We
will then go together into the fields, take a pinch out of the box,
and then listen to what is said in the air and the water, in wood
and field. "
Next morning, scarcely had the Caliph Chasid breakfasted and
dressed himself when the Grand Vizier appeared as ordered, to
accompany him on his walk. The Caliph put the box with the
magic powder in his girdle, and after having ordered his suite to
remain behind, he and the Grand Vizier set out alone on the
journey. They first passed through the large gardens of the
Caliph, but looked in vain for any living thing on which to try


## p. 7018 (#410) ###########################################

7018
WILHELM HAUFF
the experiment. The Vizier at last proposed to pursue their jour-
ney to a pond where he had often seen many animals, especially
storks, whose grave manners and clappings had always excited
his attention.
The Caliph approved of the Vizier's proposal, and went with
him towards the pond. Having arrived there, they saw a stork
soberly pacing up and down, looking for frogs, and chattering
something now and then to itself. At the same moment they
saw far up in the sky another stork hovering in this direction.
"I wager my beard, most gracious master," said the Grand
Vizier, "this
this ong-legged pair are now having a pleasant talk.
How would it be if we turned into storks? "
"Wisely spoken,” replied the Caliph. "But first let us con-
sider once more how we may become men again.
It is easy
enough! If we bow thrice to the east and say 'Mutabor,' I
shall be Caliph and thou Vizier again. But for heaven's sake, no
laughing, or we are lost. "
While the Caliph spoke thus, he saw the other stork hovering
over their heads, and slowly alighting on the ground. Quickly
he snatched the box from his girdle, took a hearty pinch, gave
the box to the Grand Vizier, who did the like, and both ex-
claimed "Mutabor! "
Then their legs shriveled and became thin and red, the beau-
tiful yellow slippers of the Caliph and his Vizier changed into
ugly storks' feet, their arms grew into wings, their necks shot up
from their shoulders and reached a yard in length, their beards
vanished, and soft feathers covered their bodies.
"You have a pretty beak, Grand Vizier," said the Caliph
after a long surprise. "By the beard of the Prophet, I have
never seen such things in my life! " "Thanks humbly," replied
the Vizier bowing; "but if I might dare to say it, I should avow
that your Highness looks almost handsomer as a stork than a
Caliph. But come, if it pleases you, let us listen to our com-
rades yonder and hear if we really speak storkish. ”
Meanwhile the other stork had reached the ground. It
cleaned its feet with its beak, settled its feathers, and walked up
to the first stork. The two new storks hastened to get near
them, and to their surprise heard the following conversation:-
"Good-morning, Madam Longlegs! You are early on the
meadows. " "Thank you, dear Clapperbeak! I have been to
get a little breakfast. Would you like to have a quarter of a
―


## p. 7019 (#411) ###########################################

WILHELM HAUFF
7019
lizard, or a little leg of a frog? "-"Much obliged; but I have
no appetite this morning. Besides, I have come upon quite a
different errand on the meadow.
I am to dance before my
father's guests to-day, and I want to practice a little quietly. "
Thereupon the young stork began to caper about the field in
peculiar movements. The Caliph and Mansor watched her, very
much surprised. But when she stood on one leg in a pictur-
esque attitude, and fluttered her wings to increase the effect,
neither of them could resist any longer; laughter without stop-
ping burst from their beaks, from which they only recovered a
long time afterwards. The Caliph was the first to recover self-
possession. "That was a joke,” he exclaimed, “which cannot be
bought for gold. What a pity the stupid animals should have
been scared by our laughter; else they would also have sung, to
be sure! "
But now it occurred to the Grand Vizier that laughing during
the enchantment was forbidden. He therefore communicated his
fears to the Caliph. "By Mecca and Medina, that would be a
bad joke if I were to remain a stork! Do bethink thee of the
stupid word: I cannot recall it. "
"Three times we must bow to the east and say 'Mu Mu
Mu-› »
______
They turned towards the east, and kept on bowing continually
till their beaks nearly touched the ground. But alas! the magic
word had escaped them; and often as the Caliph bowed, and
however eagerly his Vizier added "Mu-Mu-," yet every recol-
lection of it had gone, and the poor Chasid and his Vizier were
and remained storks.
Sadly wandered the enchanted ones through the fields, not
knowing what they should do in their misery. They could not
discard their stork plumage, nor could they return into the town
and make themselves known; for who would have believed a
stork that he was the Caliph? And even if one had believed it,
would the inhabitants of Bagdad accept a stork for a Caliph ?
Thus they wandered about for several days, living miserably
on the fruits of the field, which however they could not swallow
very well on account of their long beaks. As for lizards and
frogs, their stomachs would not relish such food; besides, they
were afraid of spoiling their appetite with such tidbits. Their
only pleasure in their sad situation was that they could fly, and
thus they flew often to the high roofs of Bagdad to see what was
going on in the town.


## p. 7020 (#412) ###########################################

WILHELM HAUFF
7020
During the first days they remarked great uneasiness and grief
in the streets. But on the fourth day of their enchantment, while
sitting on the roof of the Caliph's palace, they saw down below
in the street a splendid array. The drums and fifes played; a
man dressed in a gold-embroidered scarlet mantle rode a richly
caparisoned horse, surrounded by a gaudy train of servants. Half
Bagdad rushed about him, and everybody shouted, "Hail, Mizra!
the ruler of Bagdad! "
Then the two storks upon the roof of the palace looked at
each other, and the Caliph Chasid said:-"Do you guess now
why I am enchanted, Grand Vizier? This Mizra is the son of
my mortal enemy the mighty magician Kaschnur, who in an evil
hour swore revenge on me. But still I do not despair. Come
with me, thou faithful companion of my misery: we will betake
ourselves to the grave of the Prophet; perhaps at that sacred
shrine the magic may be dispelled. "
They arose from the roof of the palace and flew towards Me-
dina.
They did not succeed very well in their flying, for the two
storks had as yet very little practice. "O master! " sighed the
Grand Vizier after a couple of hours' flight; "with your leave, I
can hold out no longer: you fly too swiftly for me! Besides, it
is dark already, and we should do well to seek shelter for the
night. "
Chasid listened to the request of his servant; and seeing be-
neath them in the valley some ruins which promised a lodging,
they flew towards it. The place where they had settled for the
night seemed formerly to have been a castle. Splendid pillars
rose from among the ruins; several chambers which were still
tolerably preserved testified to the bygone splendor of the build-
ing. Chasid and his companion strolled through the passages in
search of some dry nook, when suddenly the stork Mansor stopped.
"Lord and master," he whispered below his breath, "were it not
foolish for a Grand Vizier, and still more so for a stork, to fear
ghosts? I feel very uneasy, for close by some one sighed and
groaned quite distinctly. "
The Caliph now also stopped, and heard quite plainly a low
sob, which seemed rather to come from a man than an animal.
Full of anxiety, he wanted to go towards the spot whence pro-
ceeded the sound of sorrow; but the Vizier seized him by the
wing with his beak, and begged him entreatingly not to rush
upon new and unknown perils. But all was of no avail. The


## p. 7021 (#413) ###########################################

WILHELM HAUFF
7021
Caliph, who bore a brave heart beneath his stork plumage, tore
himself away with the loss of some feathers, and ran toward a
gloomy passage. Soon he came to a door which was ajar, and
behind which he heard distinct sighs and moans. He pushed
open the door with his beak, but stopped on the threshold in
astonishment. In the ruined chamber, which was only dimly
lighted by a little iron-barred window, he saw a great night-owl
sitting on the ground. Heavy tears rolled out of its large round
eyes, and with a hoarse voice it uttered its moans from its hooked
beak. But when it saw the Caliph and his Vizier, who had also
come up in the mean time, it gave a loud cry of joy. Elegantly
it wiped the tears from its eye with its brown-flecked wings, and
to the great amazement of both it cried in good human Arabic,
"Welcome, ye storks: you are a good omen to me of my deliver-
ance, for through storks I am to be lucky, as it was once fore-
told me. "
When the Caliph had recovered from his astonishment, he
bowed with his long neck, set his thin legs in a graceful posi-
tion, and said: "Night-owl! from thy words I believe that I see a
fellow sufferer. But alas! thy hope of deliverance through us is
in vain. Thou wilt recognize our helplessness in hearing our
tale. "
The night-owl begged him to relate it, and the Caliph com-
menced to relate what we already know.
When the Caliph had related his story to the owl, she thanked
him and said: -
-:
"Now also listen to my tale, and learn how I am
no less
unlucky than thyself. My father is the King of the Indies; I
his unhappy only daughter am called Lusa. That magician Kasch-
nur who has enchanted you has also brought misfortune upon
me. One day he came to my father and asked me in marriage
for his son Mizra. But my father, who is a fiery man, had him
thrown down-stairs. The wretch knew how to approach me again
under another shape, and one day, while I was taking some re-
freshments in my garden, he administered to me, disguised as a
slave, a draught which changed me into this hideous shape. Faint-
ing from fear, he brought me hither and shouted with a terrible.
voice into my ear: 'Here shalt thou remain,—detestable, abhorred
even by beasts, to thy end, or till some one, himself in this
horrid form, voluntarily asks thee to be his wife. And thus I
revenge myself on thee and on thy haughty father. ' Since then


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WILHELM HAUFF
many months have passed. Lonely and sad I live as a recluse
within these ruins, shunned by the world, a scarecrow even to
beasts; beautiful nature is hidden from me, for I am blind by
daylight, and only when the moon pours her wan light over these
ruins does the obscuring veil drop from my eyes. "
When the owl had finished she again wiped her eyes with her
wings, for the story of her woes had moved her to tears.
The Caliph was plunged into deep thought by the story of the
princess. "If I am not mistaken," said he, "there is between
our misfortunes a secret connection; but where can I find the
key to this riddle? "
The owl answered him:
―
"O master! such is also my belief; for once in my infancy a
wise woman foretold of me that a stork should bring me a great
fortune, and I know one way by which perhaps we may free
ourselves. "
The Caliph was very much surprised, and asked what way she
meant.
"The enchanter who has made us both unhappy," said she,
«< comes once every month to these ruins. Not far from here is
a hall where he holds orgies with numerous companions. Often
have I spied them there. They then relate to one another their
vile deeds. Perhaps he may pronounce the magic word which
you have forgotten. "
"O dearest princess! " exclaimed the Caliph; "say, when comes
he, and where is the hall? "
The owl was silent a moment, and then said, "You must not
take it ill, but only on one condition can I fulfill your wish. "
"Speak out, speak out," cried Chasid. "Command all, every-
thing of me. "
"It is this: that I may also become free, which can only be
if one of you offer me his hand. "
The storks seemed somewhat taken aback at this proposition,
nd the Caliph beckoned to his servant to go out with him a
little.
"Grand Vizier," said the Caliph outside, "this is a sorry bar-
gain, but you might take her. "
"Indeed! " answered the Grand Vizier: "that my wife when I
come home may scratch out my eyes? Besides, I am an old
man; while you are still young and single, and could better give
your hand to a young and fair princess. "


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WILHELM HAUFF
7023
"That is just it," sighed the Caliph, whilst sadly drooping his
wings. "Who then has told thee that she is young and fair?
That is buying a pig in a poke. "
They counseled one with the other for a long time.
At last,
however, when the Caliph saw that his Vizier would rather re-
main a stork than wed the owl, he resolved to fulfill the condi-
tion himself. The owl was immensely pleased. She confessed to
them that they could not have come at a more favorable time,
for the enchanters were very likely to assemble that night.
She quitted the chamber with the storks, to lead them to the
hall. They went for a long time through a gloomy passage; at
length, through a half-fallen wall, gleamed a bright light towards
them. Having arrived there, the owl advised them to remain
perfectly quiet. They could, through the gap near which they
stood, overlook a great hall. It was supported all round by pil-
lars, and splendidly decked. Many brilliant-colored lamps re-
placed the light of day. In the centre of the hall was a round
table, covered with many and choicest meats. Round this table
was a couch, on which sat eight men. In one of these men the
stork recognized the peddler who had sold them the magic pow-
der. His neighbor asked him to relate his latest deeds. Amongst
others he also related the story of the Caliph and his Vizier.
"What sort of word hast thou given them? " asked another
enchanter.
"A very difficult Latin one; namely, 'Mutabor. › »
When the storks heard this at their hole in the wall, they
were nearly beside themselves with joy. They ran on their long
legs so quickly to the threshold of the ruins that the owl could
hardly follow them. There the Caliph addressed the owl with
emotion: "Deliverer of my life and of the life of my friend, ac-
cept me for thy spouse in eternal gratitude for that which thou
hast done for us. " He then turned to the east. Thrice the
storks bowed their long necks to the sun, which just then was
rising behind the mountains. "Mutabor! " they exclaimed; and
straightway they were changed, and in the great joy of their
new-sent life, master and servant fell into each other's arms
laughing and crying.
But who can describe their astonishment on turning round?
A lovely lady, grandly dressed, stood before them. Smiling, she
gave her hand to the Caliph. "Do you no longer recognize
your night-owl? " she said. It was she. The Caliph was SO


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WILHELM HAUFF
charmed with her beauty and grace that he exclaimed, "My
greatest fortune was that of having been a stork. "
The three now traveled together towards Bagdad. The Caliph
found in his clothes not only the box with the magic powder,
but also his purse. He therefore bought in the nearest village
what was needful for their journey, and so they soon came to
the gates of Bagdad. But there the arrival of the Caliph caused
much surprise. People had believed him dead, and they there-
fore were highly pleased to have again their beloved ruler.
All the more, however, burned their hatred towards the im-
postor Mizra.
They entered the palace, and took prisoner the
old enchanter and his son. The Caliph sent the old man to the
same chamber in the ruins that the princess had lived in as an
owl, and had him hanged there. But to the son, who knew
nothing of his father's art, the Caliph gave the choice whether
he would die or snuff.