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


come back to him, as ready TO be destroyed he
could be to make me his prey. The lion stepped
aside and went into the garden.
Il found the old gardener all impotence for my
arrival. He few to meet me, exclai,ning was an
angel l told him was resigned to my engage
ment, but had not long to live. He started and
asked what meant gave him an accoun, of my
meeting with the thief and the lion Wretch
that ann cried the gardener how much misery
have | caused; but bad as | am am not worse
than the thief or beast Of prey, which l should
be, did not absolve you from your vow, and as
sure you the only way in which you can now make
me happy, is by forgving nv wicked presumption
Il was completely relieved by these words and
granted the forgiveness desired; but having deter
mined, IN spite Of the sirlener's enonstrance, 10
keep my promises to the chef ard lion, refused
to accept his protection. On tearing tAc garden,
the lion met me. Noble on, ! said. arr come,
as promised YOU then related to him how the
gardener had absolved NE rom my vow. ant. e.-
pressed hope that the king of beasts would believe
his renownfor generosity. Tn, lion again stepped
aside, and proceeded to the thief, who Was Still
standing where left him. tod him was now
in his power, but that before he stripped NE.
must relate to him what had happened since our
last meeting. Having heard HE, he turned me
away. am not meancv than poor gardener, nor
more cruel than hungry lion : viii not inj urc
what they have respected
Delighted with my escapes, returned to my
fathers palace; where was united to my cousin,
with whom lived happily to his death; persuaded
however that the power Of human beings to do
good is very limited, and that when they leave the
narrow path marked cut for them by their maker
they not only lose their object, bat often wander
far into error and guilt, by attempting more than it
IS possible to perform
The princess paused, and was glad to see her
guests SO enchanted with her story that ii had bah
ished every other thought from their minds. After
few moments she turned to of them. aud ask
ed, Now which, think YOU, showed the greatest
virtue in his forbearancc-the gardener, the thief,
or the lonp
The gardener assuredy, was his answer, so
abandon SO lovely prize, when nearly lis own.
And what is your opinion" said the princess to
his neighbour.
Il thln& the lion was the most generous, he must
have been very hungry; in such state il was
great torbearance to abstain from devouring SO de-
llcate a morsel'
You both seem 20 me quite wrong said the
third npaticntly 'the thief bad bv far the. most
merit Gracious Heavens to have within his grasp
such wealth and refrain from taking ii ! could
not have believed it possible, unless the princess
hcraef had assured us CT the fact
The princess now, assuming an air of dignity,
said to the first wh' spoke, You, perceive, are
an adnirer ct the ladies' ) to the second, you arc
an cpic'lre : and then turning to the third, who
was already pale with fright, You, my friend have
the emerald IN your possession. You have betray-
ed yourself, and nothing bu, An immediate contes-
sion can save your life
The guilty mans counte nance removed all doubt;
and when The princess renewed her assurances of
safety, he threw himself at her feet, and acknow-
lodged his offence and gave her the emerald, which
he carried concealedabout him The princess rose,
went to her husband, and said, There, Ahmed,