Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-03-17
THE CUNNING FISHERMAN

ing'on's Book of Beauty, superb En-
gllsh Annual for 1887, H Il Il This
fisherman had long followed his occupa
ton and supported large family by the |
sale Of what he caught he was clever and !
well versed in all cunning which is as
common 10 the East, and to which neces |
sity obliged him to have recourse. lie |
had had the good fortune TO catch O khrcet
of a size rarely met with in that species
and thinking it a pity that so fine a hsb
should be cot into small portions for the
market to suit convenience of ordinary
customers, he resolved on presenting 1t to
his sovereign, and repaired with this proud
specimen of his sport TO tho royal palace.
! No SOONER had he entered the door be
meath the sitting room of the sultan, than
he was summoned TO appear before him
and explain the object of his visit.
Fortune said the fisherman, 'bps given
me this fine kbreet, which appeared to me
of uncommon size and bcau'y,tha sctuplcd
to send it to the market, and knowing that
| no mans table was so well suited to receive
it as your majesty. have brought it here
to lay q, your feet, and to beg you to &C
cept it,
'Makbool, MakoooI-the gift is wei
come said the sul,an--fIerc are an hun
dred gold mahboobs take them and pros.
per-
The grateful and delighted fisherman
kissed the ground before him and retired
but scarcely had he left the room when the
sultana upbralded her husband for his
eXtravagant generosity.
How said she, could you think Of Civ
ing the man n hundred mahboobs for a
paltry fish ? A hundred mahboobs.-
Would not one no much than II Is
worth Had you given him five, the pre-
sent would have been noble one, and be
would have had cause to bless you, and to
pray that your life may be long but to
throw away one hundred mahboobs in
such manner is absurd. | have no pa
,lence with you ; men have discretion.
Do call him back and take them from him
| desire that you do
How SAID the sultan, 'can | take away
gift 1t would be unworthy Of mon
arch
Not at at all : has not he who gives
a right to reclaim his gift p
"A right yes but how mean it-WouId
it not be said that Sultan Mustapha was
caprcious, and did not know his own
mind p
'W"ll, ihon.' said the eultana, make
some excuse, but take the money you
must
YET what excuse can make what
can say?'
Say oh ask him the fish is male
or female-and if he answers a male, say
l wanted female and if he tells you il is
female, sayyou wanted male.
The fisherman was sent tor and brought
back.
Tell me- said the sultan, is that fish q
male or a female
beg your ma cstys pardon, it would be
dis grace to my beard # ! spoke an IN.
truth this kind Of fish is both male ana
female
The sultan could say 10 more : the f..
erman saved his hundred mahboobs, and
the plans of the angry sutana were deica
ted.
But seeing that the fisherman was aware
OF The snare ,hat had been laid for him,
{ admlrng the ingenious manner in which
he had cXtricated himself, the sultan doub
LED the present and once more dismissed
him with good wishes for his prosperity.
ihn indignation of the sultana was cXcQe-
slvc all complaint however was IN vain
and she was silent. The fisherman walked
slowly across the court, carrying the sack
which contained the money on his shoul
ders but hearing one of the gold coins ia II
/, upon the hard ground, he stopped to look
for It; and after having searched for it
, some time, found it and then proceeded on
his way.
Look. said the sultana, observe the av
arce OF that wretch; one mahboob fell
{ from bis bag, and not content with the 1919
that remained, he has had the mcancss to
stop to pick it up, aud even to TOT in search
ing for it. Could he not have left it for
, some of our servants who might chance
to pass that way, and fluid it What o
| vile monster Do call him back, and
take it all away from him would
] have him bastinadoed he really deserves
to be punished the stick would be toe
0 enient for such sordld creature. by
= your head! l."
k We'll, well, YOU shall be satisfied
d really do think his meanness deserves q
severe punishment, and the money shall be
taken from him.
h The fisherman was sent for and brought
n again into the royal presence.
o Why,' said the sultan, 'coud you no
Y leave tina, one mahboob which fell to the
q ground, and rest con,enled with tho los
n that remained Could you not spare il
for some one, vino accidentally passing
!, that way, might have found it, and besscC
c me for his good luck Are you so covel
Il Gus, and that too after all my liberaIny tC
It you 2
;, 4, was originally my Intention, reptile,
5. the fisherman, to have done as you sug
is gesled. was actually pursuing my wa!
o resolved to leave the coin where it lcll,whel
d it occurred TO me that your majesty,
n sacrnd hnal and rnYnrrd nnmn wnrn IN