Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-02-23
GETTING AHEAD OF A MONARCH.

kNu UE A NUNAktH.
A friend of ours from across the waters
relates to US the following anecdote as an
actual occurrence in oriental climes. L.
possesses depth Of thought and fresh
ness 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 of Universal!
knowledge"
The King. in passing one day. observed
the notice. and walking in, inquired what
he meant by Universal knowledge. The
priest answered. of course, knowledge
of all things possible This answer not
exactly suiting the King. he resolved to
test the capacities of the Professor.
II" said be, you profess universal
knowledge, then you will be able to an
swer three questions which shall propose
to you. They are as follows, and you
must answer them by to morrow morning
by 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
hing is thinking at the time"
This was different turn of affairs from
what the Professor expected, and he was
sorcly perplexed He went at once to his
study, and resolved to do his utmost to
comply with such an unheard of. and, to
him, unreasonable request. Books were
snatched from his shelves, manuscripts
were carefully examined /; calculations
made, and all his available means put in
to reqnisition to solve these questions, on
which depended his life. SO few hours to
accomplish SO much-death the price of
failure, together with desire to establish
his reputation, all wrought upon his men
tai and physical frame to such a degree
that he was soon in fever of excitement.
lie had almost buried himself in his books.
scraps OF paper. covered with figures and
signs covered the table and lay scattered
on the floor. yet the result was unattained
Still more intense grew the excitement. as
he thought and figured, while the pcrspi.
ration stood in large drops upon his fore
head, and rolled down his face Ee was
verglng towards despair; his whole sys-
tenn trembled with nervous agitation, when
his servant entered the room, and alarmed
1t the wild and excited look of his master
eagerly enquired the cause Hurriedly
he related what had happened, the strange
questions, the fearful penalty. Instead
however, of partaking of his masters emo
ton. the servant very coolly replied:
SIS that all the troube2 Leave the
matter to me-I1l answer for you"
After some conversation. it was propo-
sed by the servant to adopt his masters
habit, and meet the King at the appointed
hour The offer was readily agreed to by
the priest, who. to speak the truth, tho't
more of his own head than of his servants
just at that moment. Disguised as the
Professor, the servant met the King. and
told him he was ready to answer his ques-
tions.
Tell me, then" said the King. show
many basket, of earth there is in youder
mountain"
That depends, your Majesty, upon cir
cumstances:'
@What circumstances ?"
'The size of the baskets If one bas
ket is as large as the mountain, one will
contain it. If half as large, two if one
fourth, four. &c"
The E,ing was so much amused at the
reply, that be expressed himself satisfied.
and proceeded to the second question.
Tell me how much the King is worth"
We'll your Majesty. Jesus Christ was
sold for thirty pieces of silver. and he was
King of Heaven and earth. so l conclude
the King is worth about one piece"
To this answer the King could not OBJ
ject, and he was nevertheless SO pleased
with the wit displayed, that he said
Very well perhaps you can tell me
what / am thinking"
''Most certainly, your Majesty You
are now thinking that you are talking with
the Priest Professor, whereas it is only
his servant"
It's unnecessary to add that both heads
were safely upon their shoulders, and both
received rich tokens of kingly favor