The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-08-20

the scene; whilst here and thore, on the
side, or ON some jutting point, the
daring goat was seen browsing on the luxrri-
ant herbage.
As Shah Abbas gazod on the delightful
scene, the dusk Of the twilight imperceptibly
changed into the lovely brilliancy Of moon
light. The Prince had often admired the Of.
feet Of the moons rays on the glitiering.
dvyes Of palaces and mosques; but whether
i was the parialiiyfor novelty, or tie
Just preference Of good taste aud reason,--
be thought he hid never seen anything half
50 beautiful--so heayenly--as the moonlit
Valley.
NSurely this must be The place Of which
the Dervisf spoke," said the Prince, as he
descended the winding track Of the noun
tain path h;--ssand one Of these sweet homes
Of innocence and humility must be the abode
of Mirza.n
Having crossed the little stream at the
mountains base, by its rude bridge Of trees,
he went up to the first cottage door that pre-
sented ITSELF II was the abode Of Mirza.--
The Prince described himself as traveller
from Pcristan, who had been assured Of
hospitable reception at the peasants cottage
by Dervish whom he had met on the road
Ut was the good Deryish Ferishtah," J" said
the peasant, tive must not forfeit the char
acter he thought us unworthy Of receiving
Accustomed as Shah Abbas had been to
smiling faces, kind looks, and fair words,
there was something in the language and
countenance Of the peasant Mira, as he
welcomed the Prince to the cottage, he had
never before seen. For the first time in his
life, too, he met with kindness, which was
neither the peace-ofering Of fear, nor the OBJ
legation Of selfinterested sycophancy; and a
delightful feeling arose in his bosom, when
he who had only been feared as Prince,
found himself treated as man.
Every thing Jhe produce Of the Valley af-
forded was set before the Prince by the peas-
ants daughter with cheerful alacrity, and a
smiling grace, that bespoke heart as kind,
as her face and form were beautiful. 1t
was the beauty ofsimplicity and nature, that
would have charmed any where, but in that
valley--in that cottage, charmed doubly from
its accordance with all by which il was sur-
rounded.
The Prince partook Of the humble repast
with zest and pleasure he had never felt
at the sumptous banquets Of hisregal palace.
"Yeu are surely highly favored of Allah"
said the Prince, "to whose lot it has fallen
to inherit so beautiful spot in this valley"
"We must be ungrateful before we can
be unhappy" replied the peasant. 81
"But do you never suffer from the devas-
tations ofthe storm, or the ravages Of the
mountain torrent?" inquired Shah Abbas.
"We have the changes and vicssitudes Of
seasons here, as well as elsewhere" answer
cd Mira; sand we sometimes experience
what many, who dwell on the other side Of
the mountains, call accidents, but which we
believe to be the will Of Allah; we know
that he proposes the good Of his children.
and we dare not murmur at the way in which
he may choose to accomplish his ends,
whether by the sunbeam, or the storm; we
know that the yisitations Of bis power are not
| like the aimlsss, wanton cruel.ies Of an
earthly Prince, but the exertions of omnis-
cient goodness. If we should be happy only
when the sun smiles on our valley, or when,
as now, the moon illumines It with her rays
We should find many opportunities Of being
miserable; whilst all is bright and calm
WITHIN, il matter, not, though the darkness
and terror Of the tempest may prevail WITH.
oUT.n
| "But suppose you should lose oil that
now makes you happy" said the Prince.
81 have happy home in this cot" rejoin-
ed Mira; "I have wealth in the focks that
are feeding in the pasture around it, have
a treasure beyond price in the daughter oi
my bosom; but If happiness depended upon
these outward blessngs-how could | now
be happy? knowing, as ! do, that few
hours, nay, few moments, may rob me Of
any of them and that few short yeari
must rob me Of allg If we endeayor to de.
serve the blessings of life, whilst they are
good for US they will be continued--to for
felt them at last is but q trife to pay for ar
inheritance Of unceasing bliss"
However just these statements might ap-
pear to the Prince, he was by no means con.
vinced that happiness WAS SO entirely inde-
pendent Of outward circumstances as Mira
supposed; yet Of one thing he felt assured
on returning to his palace--that neither
great power nor much wealth were requisite
thereto.
Il was notlong before the Prince again Wis
tied the Peaceful Valley, disguised, as be-
fore. He met with the same kind welcome
from the peasant and his daughter as he ex-
pericnced on his first visit.
1Itis we'll for me-" said Mira, when the
pleasures Of frugal rspast gave place TO
friendly converse, "that truth was in the
words ] spoke at our last meeting; since then