d, and rode to a forest, which commenced not far
from the city. There, according to an old tradition, lived a good
fairy, named Adolzaide, who had often before this assisted with her
advice the monarchs of his family, in the hour of need: thither
hastened the sultan.

In the middle of the wood was an open place, surrounded by lofty
cedars. There, the story said, lived the fairy; and seldom did a
mortal visit this spot, for a certain awe connected with it had, from
olden time, descended from father to son. When the sultan had drawn
near he dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and placing himself in
the middle of the open space, cried with loud voice:--

"If it be true that thou hast given good counsel to my fathers, in the
hour of need, then disdain not the request of their descendant, and
advise me in a case where human understanding is too short-sighted."

Hardly had he uttered the last word, when one of the cedars opened,
and a veiled lady, in long white garments, stepped forth.

"I know, Sultan Saoud, why thou comest to me; thy wish is fair,
therefore shall my assistance be thine. Take these two chests; let
each of the two who claim to be thy son, choose; I know that he who is
the real one, will not make a wrong selection." Thus speaking, the
veiled lady extended to him two little caskets of ivory, richly
adorned with gold and pearls: upon the lids, which he vainly sought to
open, were inscriptions formed by inlaid diamonds.

As he was riding home, the sultan tormented himself with various
conjectures, as to what might be the contents of the caskets, which,
do his best, he could not open. The words on the outside threw no
light upon the matter; for on one was inscribed, HONOR AND FAME; upon
the other, FORTUNE AND WEALTH. Saoud thought it would be difficult to
make choice between these two, which seemed equally attractive,
equally alluring. When he reached the palace, he sent for his wife,
and told her the answer of the fairy: it filled her with an eager
hope, that he to whom her heart clung, might select the casket which
would indicate his royal origin.

Two tables were brought in before the sultan's throne; on these, with
his own hand, Saoud placed the two boxes; then, ascending to his seat,
he gave the signal to one of his slaves to open the door of the
saloon. A brilliant throng of bashaws and emirs of the realm poured
through the open door: they seated themselves on the splendid
cushions, which were arran