Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-05-28
The Three 6iftss

There was once poor weaver who became
known to three rich students, who, seeing tina
the man was very poor, gave him for his house
keeping hundred dollars. The weaver was
overoyed at the gift, and resolved on employ
ing it to the greatest advantac e, but would first
| for time feast his eyes on the shining money
| He would not tell his wife fhis good fortune
| who happened just then to be from home, and
| concealed the money where no one would think
| of looking for it-namely. among some old
rags. One day, while he was out, rag>colec.
tor came to the house, and his wife sold him
the whole bundle ofrags for few pence. Now,
there was grief Of heart when the weaver res
turned, and his wife, full of joy, showed him
! the tritie of money she got for her old rags
When year had passed, the three students
came again, hoping to find the weaver in COM
Portable circumstances; instead of which they
found him poorer than ever, and on expressing
wonder for this, he informed them of bis mis-
fortune. After warning him to be more care>
full in future, they gave him another hundred
dollars. Now he thought he would be more
prudent, so without saying word to his wife,
he hid the money in dust tub; and this time it
fell ont as on the former occasion. His wife ex-
changed the ashes with a dustman for two or
three pieces of soap, while her husband was
just gone out to carry some work to a custom
or. When he returned and was told of the bar.
gain of the ashes, he was so enraged that he
gave his wife q beating.
When another year had passed away, the
three students came for the third time, and
found the weaver in rags and misery. They
said, throwing at the same time piece of lead
at his feet, "Of what use is q nutmeg to COW!
to give thee money again would prove us to be
greater fools than thou art. We will never
come to thee again." Thereupon they went
away in anger, and the weaver picked up the
piece of lead and laid it on the window-sill.-
Soon after, his neighbour entered the room-he
was isherman-bade himgood day, and said,
"My friend, have you perchance piece of lead,
or anything heavy, that can Use for my net.
for have just now nothing at hand" The
weaver gave him the piece of lead which the
students had left, for which the fisherman thank.
ed him, aud promised that he chould have in re-
turn the first large fish he caught. "Very WE'LL"
replied the weaver; sbut it is not worth speak,
ing about" Soon after the fisherman actually
brought fine fish weighing four or five pounds,
and obliged his neighbor 10 accept it. He i'm
medateIy cut up the fish, and found great
stone in his belly. This stone the weaver also
it became dark the stone began to shine, and
the darker it grew the brighter the stone be-
came, and just like candle.
"That's a cheap lamp" said the weaver to
his wife: "would'st thou not like to dispose of
it as thou didst the two hundred dollars!" and
he placed the stone so that it illuminated the
whole room. The next morning merchant
chanced to ride past the house, who, on seeing
the brilliant stone, alighted and entered the
room, looked at it, and offered ten dollars for it,
The weaver answered, shat it was not for
sale." "What, not for twenty dollars! "Not
even for that" replied the weaver. The mer-
chant, however. kept on bidding and bidding
for the stone, till at last he offered thousand
dollars, for the stone was precious diamond,
and really worth much more. Now the weaver
struck the bargain, and was the richest man in
the village. His wife would have the last word,
and took much credit to herself, saying, "See,
husband, how we'll it was that threw away
he money twice, for thou hast me to thank for
This good luck. ."-Yule Tide Stories; Bohn's
Antiquarian Library.