The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1828-03-22

been meek and humble in adversely, he was mo
dest and gentle in prosperity. Conscious of bis
own ignorance. he continued to ascribe his good
fortune solely to the favour of Providence He
became daily more attached to the beautiful
and virtuous princess whom he had married
and he could not hep contrasting her character
with that of his former wife, whom he had
ceased to love; and of whose unreasonable and
unteeling vanity he was now fully sensible
AS Ahmed did not return to his house, Stta
ra only heard Of his elevation from common ru-
mour She saw with despair that her wishes
Tor his advancement had been more than &C
complished, but that all her own desires had
been frustrated Her husband was chief as:ro-
ioser-that very situation she had set her heart
on he rich enough TO enable hi. wife to
surpass all the ladies Of Isfahan, in the number
Of her slaves. and the finery of her clothes and
jewels, whenever she went to the Hermann
but he had married princess and his former
wife, according to custom, was banshcd from
his house, and condemned to live on whatever
pittance she might receive from man whose
love and esteem she had forever forfeited
These thoughts distracted her mind her envy
vas excited b. the accounts she daily heard Of
Amheds happiness, and of the beauty Of the
princess; and she now became anxious only for
his destruction, looking on him as the sole cause
of her disappointment.
An opportunity of indulsins her revengefu
feelings not long wanting. The king of
Sccstan had sent an emerald of extraordinary
size and billiancy as present to the king Of
irak. 1t was carefully enclosed i'll a box, TO
which there were three keys, and one of them
was given in charge to each Of the three conf
Dental servants Employed to convey it. When
they reached lsiahan, the box was opened, but
the emerald was gone Nothing could exceed
their CONSERVATION each accused the other as
the lock was not broken, it was evident one of
then, must be the thief They consulted what
was to be done; TO conceal what had happened
was impossible; the very attempt would have
brought death on them ALL 1t was resolved
therefore, to lay the whole matter before the
king. and beg that by his great wisdom he
would detect the tulprit, and that he would
show mercy to the other two.
The king heard the story with astonishment
but was unable to tind any clue BY which he
might ascertain the truth He summoned bis
sizler and all the wisest men of his court but
they we're as much at loss as their master -
The report spread through the city; and Sittara
thought she had now the means Of working her
husbands ruin Size solicited private audi
ence of his majesty, on the plea Of having
communication Of Importance tn make. Her
request was granted On entering the royal
presence she threw herself at his feet, exc.aim-
ing, Pardon. . klrg! my having SO long con
cealed the guilt of nv husband Ahmed, whose
alliance is disgrace to the royal blood. He is
no astroioger, an associate Of thieves, and by
that means only did he discover the royal trea-
sure. Ii any doubts are entertained Of my
speaking the truth. let his majesty command
Al.