Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-04-29
TRACING A PEDIGREE.

A Shah of Persia, had a superb war
horse brought to him for sale, and cal
led his officers around him in front of
his palace, 10 Judge of the animals va
lue A gang of slaves,with their task mas
ter, at the same time crossed the court,
and one of them, O Greek, paused to
look at the horse. 'And what do you
think Of the purchaser said the Shah,
rather contemptuousIy The horse is
a good one, Sire replied the Greek;
but | will pawn my lite-which TO- q
slave is not much-th at ne was sucked
by an ass Sucked by an ass! 1t was
lmpossiblel Bnt the owner ofthe steed
being sent for. confirmed the statement
The mare who foaled him had died, and
a she ass, who wa IL milk, had been
his ioster-mother by ne hump of the
holy camel y exclaimed the SHAH, the
Christian dog has brains' Give him
hall loaf a day al the expense OF the
public .e Greek'spene,gation dis
turbed the mind OF Tire descendant of
Ali; he thought necessarily of asses
Shortly afterwards, among his treasures
he discovered a costly glooe q Jasper
InshatLah' | viii have this oaryed Into
spacious cup aid he, from which
| may quaf sherhat to the honor Of our
prophet; and that Greek --he of tie ass
shall do the work,'-'Lieht Of the
sun p said the Greek, his task beng
proposed to him, this stone contains
an animai'-Iilch Kerimi This was
too much But the stone was sawed
IN TWO and lizard was found in the
middle. There is but one Cod said
the Shah. BY the beard of the pro-
| phet upon which be eternal oil of ro-
ses-Give him whole loaf day at
the public expense sad The Shah.
Some time after this, his highness, the
Shah, was seized with doubt as to
his own Legitimacy. 1t was nice point
for a King to enquire into; but yet he
had misgivings that Ali Mahommed
had not at all points been his progenitor.
The Greek was this time) privately
sent for. 'You,' said the Shah, moodi-
ly, you rule the stars, tell me, COM
mand you, what was my father Il
have no controul over the stars repli-
ed the Greek, cor / should scarcely
have remained so long your prisoner;
but as can judge from observation, |
should take your highness's father to
have been baker, On this the Shah
pondered more than ever. Once he
thought of resigning the crown. At
length, once more ordered the Greek
to be brought before him. Tell me,
o Christian most accused p said the
Shah, since am the son of baker
(mav the eternal ovens be his portion y
tell me the paticular manipular OF
flour to whom l owe my being Your
highness's commando replied the
Greek, passes my capacity TO obey. |
have no lower over Gent, but derive
my knowledge, little as is, from close
observation, and comparison of preba-
blities.' But how, unless by magic
art asked the King, could you know
that my horse had been nursed by an
ass > 1T was because such fostering
in my country, Sire, is not uncon1mon;
and that horses so nursed, acquire, from
imitation, peculiar mode Of carrying
their ears.' .BismsAah I But how did
YOU discover returned the Shah, 'that
there was lizard within The jewel"
1T was, your highness, thatl have be-
fore, in my travels, seen such prodl-
gies; and that certain opacity about
the stone in question, made me sus-
meet the fact in that particular case
But, whisker to the Prophets cat ex-
claimed the puzzled Prince, what
could lead you to suspect that ! am
the son of baker, Pardon me, Sire;
but it was a circumstance in your High
ness's own conduct In my conduct,
slave? Tell it, or, you son of dog, this
moment is your last'-'Wheh first |
told your Ilighness that the horse you
had bought had been nursed by an ass,
your Highness commended my know
ledge, and ordered half a loaf of bread
to be given to me- 4 did, rejoined the
Shah. When, second time, discover
ed to your Ighness that the globe Of
Jasper contained an animal, your High
ness sot my wisdom above that OF your
whole court, and ordered that should
receive a whole loaf of bread i did;
but what of ell this" cried the inpatient
Shah. On this, Sire, | pondered, and
| said within yself-The sons of Kings
pay good services-with treasure, and
with bonours-with thanks, and with