Page 15 - Aladdin, or, The wonderful lamp

iaau emulate :
As soon as they were set down to
supper, he gave Aladdinfs mother an

.account of his travels, saying that for
forty years he had been from home, in

order to see the wonders of distant
countries. Then turning towards Alad-
din, he asked his name ; “ I am called

Aladdin,” said lie. “ W ell, Aladdin,”
replied the magician, ■'‘ what business do

you follow ? Are you of any trade ? ”
At this question Aladdin hung down
his head, and was not a little abashed when

his mother made answer, ” Aladdin is an
idle fellow ; his father strove all he could

to teach him his trade, but could not suc­
ceed i and since his death, in spite of all
I can say to him, he does nothing but

idle away his time in the streets, so that
I despair .of his ever coming to any good.”

With these words the poor woman burst
into tearsy and the magician, turning to

Aladdin, said r “ This is not well, nephew;
you must think of helping yourself and
getting your livelihood, and I will help

you as far as I may ; what think you,
shall I take a shop and furnish it for you ? ”

Aladdin was overjoyed at the idea,- for
he thought there was very little labour