Delaware patriot & American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1828, 1828-03-25
From Malccin's " Sketches of Persia.o
AHMED THE COBBLER,

She with despair that her wishes for his adj
vancement had been more than accomplished. but
that all her own desires had been frust,at Her
husband was chief astrologcr-tha very situation
she had set her heart on he was rich enough to
enable his 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 Danish
ed from his house and condemned to live on what
ever ptance she might receive from man whose
love and esteem she had forever forfeited. These
Thoughts distracted her mind her envy was ex
cited by the accounts she daily heard of Ahmed's
happiness and of the beauty of the princess; and
she now became anxious only for his destruction.
looking Oh him the sole cause Of her disappont-
ment.
An opportunity of indulgns her rcvengeful feel
lngs was not long wanting. The king OF Seestan
had sent an emerald of extraordinary size and
briisiancy as present TO the king of irak. 1t
was carefully enclosed in box, to which there
we're three keys, and one of them was given in
charge to each OF the three confidential servants
employ ed IN convey 1t. When they reached Ista.
han. the box was opened, but the emer4!d was
gone Nothing could exceed their Consideration:
each accused the other; as the lock was not rokcn,
! 1T vas evident one Of them mast be the thief
| They consulted what was t. be done to oonceal
what had happened was impossible; the very at
'H'rb NSHie uh'C UtCuSHt utliu OH lutui AZ
was resolved. therefore to lay the whole matter
before the king, and beg that b. his great wisdom
~ would detect the culprit, and that he would
shaw mercy to the other two.
Inc King heard the starry with establishment,
but was unable to find any clue by which he might
ascertain the truth. He summoned his vizcr and
all the wsest OF bis court; but they were
as much at a loss as their master. The report
spread through the city; and Sittara thought she
had tho m nj work, nu hnr hDchoniss ri.
in. She solicited private audience of his MAZE
ty, on the plea Of having communication of i'm
portance to make. Her request was granted.
On entering the royal presence she threw herself
at his feet, excaiming, Pardon, o king, my hav-
ing so long concealed the guilt Of my husband All
med, whose alliance is disgrace to the royal
blood lie is astrologer, an associate of thieves,
and by that means only did he discover the royal
treasure. If any doubts entertained of my
speaking the truth. let his majesty command All
med to recover the emerald which the servants of
the king of Seestan have stolen. Surely the man
who has by his wonderful art ascertained where
all the treasures of the kingdom was concealed,
will find it an easy matter to discover single
: precious stone.'
The king who loved his son-in-law, was grieved
by this information. Still, as the honor of his
family was concerned, he resolved to put hmed
to the test; and if he found him an impastor to
vindicate the royal dignity by his condgn punish
ment. He therefore sent for Ahmed, told him
what had happened, and added, 8 4 give you TWEEN
ty days to discover who stole the emerald Ii
you succeed, YOU shall be raised to the highest
honors of the state If not you shall sulicr death
for having deceived me-
Poor Ahmed quilted his presence quite discon
!, solate. The princess, perccivng his aliction, in
CURED the cause. Ahmed was by nature as sim
cere as he was pious and humble. lie related,
without concealmcnt or disguise, every event of
his past life and concluded with these words :
You must see, from what have said, how incapa-
r Bile am of doing what your father cnjons. My
life must answer tor it and my only consolation
: is, that shall in twenty days, relieve you from a
husband whom from this time you must despise.'
Il only love you the better, my dear Ahmed for,
your sincerity and TRUTH said the princess 'One
who has been SO favourct by Heaven must be dear
to every pous heart BE Of good cheer; will
, turn astro6ger this time, and see whether can
find out the thief All that require is, tina you
B endeavor to be composed, while consult the
stars and make my calculations
Ahmed delighted by this proof of affection, and
y treasured by the confidence ct her manner, prom
sed to be obedient; and said he would only ven
ture to assist her exerons by his earnest prayers
to that power which had never deserted him.
E The princess Immediately invited the ncssen-
gers from the king Of seestan to her palace. They
were surprised at the invitation, and still more at
their reception. You are strangers said she to
them. and come from powerful king; it is my
n wish to show you every attention. AS to the
lost emerald, think no more of it it is mere tri-
ne. will intercete with the king my father, to
give himself no further concern on the subject,
: being convinced that it has been lost by one of
S those strange accidents for which it is impossible
to account
The princess entertained the strangers for sew
eral days, and during that time the emerald SEEM
ed to be forgotten. She conversed with them free
y, nquring particularly of Seestan, and the coun-
.r;as tho had oann m fha;r travels Eatfered by