lic places with idle children of his own age.

[Footnote 41: Aladdin signifies "The Nobility of the Religion."--Lane,
Vol. II, p. 285.]

When he was old enough to learn a trade his father took him into his
own shop, and taught him how to use his needle; but all his father's
endeavors to keep him to his work were vain, for no sooner was his
back turned than the boy was gone for that day. Mustapha chastised
him, but Aladdin was incorrigible, and his father, to his great grief,
was forced to abandon him to his idleness. He was so much troubled
about him, that he fell sick and died in a few months.

Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father,
gave himself over entirely to his idle habits, and was never out of
the streets from his companions. This course he followed till he was
fifteen years old, without giving his mind to any useful pursuit, or
the least reflection on what would become of him. As he was one day
playing in the street with his evil associates, according to custom,
a stranger passing by stood to observe him.

This stranger was a sorcerer, known as the African magician, as he had
been but two days arrived from Africa, his native country.

The African magician, observing in Aladdin's countenance something
which assured him that he was a fit boy for his purpose, inquired his
name and history of his companions. When he had learned all he desired
to know, he went up to him, and taking him aside from his comrades,
said, "Child, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor?"

"Yes, sir," answered the boy, "but he has been dead a long time."

At these words the African magician threw his arms about Aladdin's
neck, and kissed him several times, with tears in his eyes, saying, "I
am your uncle. Your worthy father was my own brother. I knew you at
first sight, you are so like him."

Then he gave Aladdin a handful of small money, saying, "Go, my son, to
your mother. Give my love to her, and tell her that I will visit her
to-morrow, that I may see where my good brother lived so long, and
ended his days."

Aladdin ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle had given
him.

"Mother," said he, "have I an uncle?"

"No, child," replied his mother, "you have no uncle by your father's
side or mine."

"I am just now come," said Aladdin, "from a man who says he is my
uncle, and my father's brother. He cried, and kissed me, when I told
him my father was dead, and gave me money, sending