The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-10-29
Getting Ahead Of a Monarch.

A friend of ours from across the waters, re-
lated to us the following anecdOte as an actual
occurrence in oriental chimes. 1t possesses
depth of thought and freshness of wit too good
to be lost
A priest, learned in the lore of ancient and
modern literature. had opened rooms for public
instruction, and styled himself upon his door,
professor ofUniversal knowledge"
The king, in passing one day, observed the
notice, and walking in, inquired what was
meant by Universal knowledge. The priest
answered, Ofcourse it was the knowledge of all
things possible. This answer not exactly suit
ing the king, he resolved to test the capabili-
ties of the Professor.
eff" says he, "you profess Universal Know
ledge, then you will be able to answer three
questions, which shall propose to you. They
are as follows, and you must answer them by
tomorrow at this time, or your head will be
struck from your shoulders. First, tell me how
many baskets of earth there are in yonder
mountain. Secondly, inform me how much the
king is worth. Thirdly, tell me, exactly. of
what the king is thinking about at the time"
This was different turn to affairs from what
the professor expected. and he was sOrely per-
picked. He went at once to his study. resolved
to do his utmost to comply with such an I'M
heard-Of and to him unreasonable request.
Books were snatched from his shelves; manu-
scripts were carefully examined !; calculations
made, and all his available means put in requi-
sitiOn to solve these questions, on which depend
ed his life. So few hours to accomplish so much
death the price of failure, together with de-
sire to establish his reputation, all wrought
upon his mental and physical frame to such a
degree that he was soon in a fever of excite
ment. He had almost buried himself in his
bOOks-scraps of paper with figures and signs
covered his table, and lay scattered on the floor
yet the result was unattained. Still more
intense grew the excitement as he thought fl
Cured and read, while the perspiration stood
in large drops upon his forehead, and rolled
down his face. He was vergng towards des-
pair-his whole system trembling with nervous
agitation, when his servant entering the room,
and alarmed at the wild and excited look his
master, eagerly inquired the cause. Huriiedly
he related what had happened-the strange
questions, the fearful penalty. Instead. howe
yer, of partaking of his masters emotion, the
servant very coOlly replied
SIS that all the trouble. Leave the matter
to NELL answer for you
After some conversation, it was proposed by
the servant to adopt his masters habit. and
meet the king at the appointed hour. This of
fer was readily acceded to by the priest, who to
speak the truth, thought more of his own head
than his servants, just at that moment Dis
guised as the Professor, the servant met the
king, and told him he was ready to answer his
questions.
"Tell me, then" said the king. show many
baskets of earth are in yonder mountain
THAT depends. your majesty, upon circum-
Stances
"What circumstances?'
"The size of the baskets. If one is as large
as the mountain, one will contain it. If half as
large, two ifone-fOurth, four &C."
The King was so much amused at the reply,
that he expressed himself satisfied, and proceed
ed to the second question.
"Tell me how much the king is WORTH"
"Well, your majesty, Jesus Christ was sold
for thirty pieces of silver. and he was the King
OF Heaven and Earth so l conclude you are
worth about one piece
To this answer the king could not object, and
he was nevertheless SO pleased with the wit dis
played. that he said
every well, sir A; but can you answer my last
question, and tell me of what am now think
ing"
"Most certainly, your majesty. You are
now thinking that you are talking with the
Priest Professor, whereas it is only his ser
want"
1t is unnecessary to add that both heads were
safely upon their shoulders. and both received
rich tokens of kingly favor.