Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-03
THE FRIETD AND THE ENEMY.
BY JOHN NEWTON, JR

There was once in Cashmere certain
prince, who had a favorite ape, which he
petted with princely caresseS. The af.
fiction OF this animal was so great that
| it ntyer left its masters side, and at
night it would stand by bis pillow with
a sharp dagger in Its hand, aud there
watch with patience until merning.
Ii happened one night that cunning
robber, from some tar-off country, en-
tered she city, and began to wander from
house to house and street 10 street, In
search Of plunder. About the same time
q foolish thief, who lived in Cashmere,
came forth from his den with the same
intention, and socn after fell in with the
stranger. As they were both engaged in
the same pursuit, they agreed to work
together that night. Said the travelled
rC5ber TO bis companion:
"Friend, in which district shall we be-
gin, and whose house shall we rob first?'
The foolish one answered: "In the
stable OF our city governor there is fat
and swift-f0Oted ass, which is highly
valued by its master, and which is well
secured by Grain, and guarded by two
slaves. My advice is that We go. first of
all, and steal the ass. After that, let US
repair to the shop of certain glass
maker, who lives at the corner of the
street. There with bis glass we will
load the ass, and taking it home, make
lmoney."
The wise thief was astonished at his
| friends discourse, and was c0nSiderin.
whether he had not spoken in jest. But
ljust at that moment the coterGl Ia kind
Of constable) came in sight. The dis
creet rascal prompted by his cunning,
hid behind 4 wall; while the senSeless
rascal stood still, and was taken pris-
Toner.
Whittier do you goa" asked the
officer, {" and who are you?"
81 am thief" be replied, "and
am going TO steal the governors ass
land after breaking open the house of the
glass makea, shall make the beast carry
home the glass"
The COtearGL burst into laugh, and
said:
"For the sake of an ass, which is Sc
curely chained and carefully guarded,
and for the sake Of few worthless glass
vessels, OF which ten may he bought for
a tuccd Ia coin worth about cent and
half,) you have thus cast yourself into
the whirlpool Of perdition But this
foolish design is as wicked and danger
Ious as if you had intended to plumber
the princes treasury"
With these words he tied the mans
hands together, and took him off to
Iprison. When they were gone, the wise
robber took warning from the words of
his silly companion, but profited by the
remarks Of the coteirdI.
THAT thief" thought he, "was q
dangerous friend; but the cO.ecal shall
prove useful enemy; for now that he
has mentioned it, I will 60 rather to the
treasury Of this very prince"
| With this intention, he made his way
to the prince palace, and began a
breach in the wall. After a long and
toilsome labor, he at length finished a
hole large enough to admit his body.
When he entered, he found himself
standing in bedchamber before him
was the prince, stretched in sleep on a
golden couch, while jewels lay scattered
around him, mingled with the riches of
many lands. The apartment was hung
with curtains of Cashay, and camphor
lamps shed their soft light on every OBJ
lject. But after looking about the room
a moment, the robber was not a little
amazed to see monkey standing at the
head Of the royal sleeper, fourishing a
naked blade in his hand, and he gazed
from right TO left with careful and
knowing air. Unable to comprehend the
truth Of the matter, the housebreaker
became alarmed.
"How can this wretched man, !" thought
he, save himself from the murderous
weapon Of the beast !'
AS he thus pondered, multitudes of
ants suddenly began to fall from the CELL
ing of the canopy upon the sleeper's
breast. The prince being annoyed, in
voluntarily, in his sleep, struck his hand
across his bosom. The ape instantly
perceived what was the matter, and,
burning with rage, and was about to
plunge it into the coverlet in order to de-
stroy the puny intruders.
| Hold, you cowardly villain !" shout
ed the robber; would you slay the
Beauty.of. thew 2"
And he rushed forward, and seizing
the uplifted hand of the monkey, held it
in his own tight grasp. This noise awoke
the prince, who started up, and seeing
the robber, cried out:
"Who are you 2"
am your wise foe" was the replv.
"I came here to plunder your house; had
l been single instant later, this sense
less brute, your foolish friend, would
have filled your dreaming-room with
| blood"
When the prince heard this, be was
overcome with gratitude, and with many
thanks, exclaimed: a4 q
$50 true is it, that when the pity Of
Allah would save man from destruc-
ton, he causes even a robbcr to become,