The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-12-31
Gbt 9ailg gourMal
THE THREE MAxIMs.
A story OF Ancien. "a Rom e

mitian. good and wise prince, who suffered
no offenders to escape. There was high feast
in his hall, the tables glittered with gold and
silver, and groaned with plenteous provision:
his mobiles feasted with him
sAnd twas merry with all
lH the Kings great hall, -.,-
When his mobiles and kinsmen great and small,
Were keeping their Christmas holiday
The porter in his lodge made his fire blaze
brightly and solaced himself with Christmas
cheer; every now and then grumbling at his
Office that kept him from the gaieties of the re-
tainer's hall The wind blew cold, the sleet fell
quick, as the bell of the kings gate sounded
heavy and dull.
"Who comes now?'' .grumbled the porter;
"a pretty night to turn out from fire and food.
why, the very bell itself finds it to cold to
tclank loudly. WE'LL well-duty is duty:
some say it's a pleasure-humphl Hilloa, friend
who are you? whatdo you want MANI"
The traveller whom the porter thus address
ed was a tall, weather beaten man. with long
white hair that futtered from beneath his cap
| of furs and whose figure; naturally tall and
robust, seemed taller and larger from the vast
lcloak ofbearskins with which he was envelop-
ed.
II Tam merchant from far country said
the man; ''many wonderful things do bring
your Emperor, if he will purchase ofmy valua-
lbies"
"Well come in; come in man." said the por-
ter; "the king keeps high Christmas feast, and
on this night all men may seek his presence.
Wilt take some refreshment, good sirr
liam neverhungry, nor thirsty, nor cold"
/ "I'm all--there-straight besoroe you, good
lsir-the hall porter will usher you in-straight
before" uttered the old porter, as he returned
Ito his fire and his supper. "Never hungry,
Thirsty, nor cold--what good poor man he
would make; humphi he loses many pleasure
Though" continued the porter, as he closed the
door of the lodge.
The strange merchant presented himself tc
the hall porter, and was ushered by him into
the presence of the Emperor.
"Who have we here?'' said Domitian, as the
strange visiter made his obeisance. "Wha
seekest thou of me?''
! az bring many things from far countries
: Wilt thou buy of my curiosities%
: "Let us see them," rejoined Domitian.
81 have three maxims of especial wisdom
y and excellence, my lord"
4 'Let us hear Them"
"Nay, my lord; if thou nearest them, ant
llikest not then | have lost both my maxm
], and my money"
Il "And if pay without hearing them, ant
they are useless Hose my time and my money
What is the price?"
"a thousand forms, my lord"
ga thousand 1orins for that of the which
know not what it is, replied the king.
n "My lord,' rejoined the merchant, ''lf tn
maxims do not stand you in good stead, / vii
return the money!
"Be it so then: let us hear your maxims
'The first, my lord is on this wise; Neae
}, Jegin anything until you hare calculated egtat I'll
end fciU 6e.''
81 like your maxim much,' said the king
( 'let it be recorded in the chronicles of tin
kingdom, inscribed on the walls and over tn
K Idoors of my palaces and halls of Justice, an
linterwoven on the borders of the linen OF m
= table and my chamber A1
"The second, my lord, is, Neue'' leauea hag'
ltoay for a bye ray .,
Il see not the value of this maxim; but
the third
q "-Neper sleep IN the house maere the master
= Ian Gilman and the aUge young acon'an The,
: three maxims if attended to, my lord, WI
ta stand you in good stead.s s
"We shall see,' said the king; "a year an
ofla day for the trial of each, at the end OF tn
= time we will settle accounts
+ ..Good master" said the kings Jester, "wi
es sell thy chance of the thousand fiorins for m
g. FOOLS cap?', IL
Il "Wait, and see what the end will be,' r
ljoined the merchant; "a year and day hen
= II will return to see how my first maxim b
,s. Jared. Farewell my lord