Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-11-06
THE PEARL MERCHANT.

! evening breeze tanned the turDalis anu tHe
long flowing robes Of the people who had
come to the shore to refresh themselves af-
ter the tolls of the day. Just as the disk
of the sun touched the horizon, they saw
long train of camels approaching. Men
We're riding on some of them in little car
riages, or on richly embroidered saddles
Others carried on their backs large bundles
and the cloths thrown over them almost
touching the ground. There were men walk
ing beside the camels leading them, and a
troup of horsemen on their white Arab
steeds were galloping round the train. 1t
was caravan. --E
The people were glad to see this sight;
for this town was noted place for pearls
and the people who were riding on the cam
els were coming to buy their pearls. So
they invited the merchants to their houses,
and the rest of the caravan went 10 the inn.
There were no rooms there: it was simply
a large empty shed. But they unloaded
their camels and gave them their supper; !;
and then they spread their own mats on the
floor and lay down to sleep.
The next morning the little town was in
great commotion. Every one who had
any pearls to sell took them to the market
place. There they sat down on the ground,
spread their mats before them, and laid out
their oyster shells upon the mats. For
pearls, as You know, are found in oyster
shells; and they would not open the shells,
but sold them to the merchants as they
were.
The merchants soon arrived, and then
the business began. They went round to
each seller and examined his shells. They
took up one shell after another and held it
up to the light, and tried to open it and
peep inside, and looked at the marks out
side; and, if they liked it, they sat down
and bargained for it. And thus the work
went on.
There was one among the merchants
who made no purchases. He had been
with the caravan; but throughout the
whole journey he had spent nothing, and
when they asked him what he would buy,
he said that he was in search of a valuable
pearl. This day he walked about from
place to place, taking up few shells occas-
ionally. and putting them down again with
a melancholy look.
At last he came 10 one man who was
sitting among the rest. He took up one of
his shells in his hand to look at it. As he
looked at it his face frightened, till at
length he clasped his hands, and lifted up
his eyes to heaven. He had found what
he was searching for.
ssWhat is the price of this shell ?" he
said to the owner.
'This SHE'LL" replied the owner. dis be-
yond all price. Nothing but esteem for
thee could induce Inc to part with ii. But
out of love to thee, 1 will let thee have it
for two hundred talents"
81 will pay that sum-" said the other.
The bystanders were astonished. They
had never known such sum given for a
pearl shell before. But he was in earnest; !;
and witnesses were called to prevent any
mistake.
That same day the merchant sold all his
goods. All the jewels which he had
brought for the perpose of his business,
and all his beautiful clothes, and even his
camel, were sold; so that nothing was left
to him. In the evening he came back TO
the owner of the pearl aud counted out the
sum, and then, after carefully examining
the shell, he took it away with him to the
inn. All the town was in wonder; some
said he was magician, but others shook
their heads, and said he was mad.
The caravan soon started on their jour
ney home, and with them the poor mer-
chant. He had no camel to ride, and hard
" any food to eat. He was forced to
walk all the way and he would have per-
ished with hunger if it had not been for the
kindness of some of his fellow-travelers, who
took pity upon him. He got many hard
words, and many blows; but still he was
cheerful and contented, for he could think
of nothing but his pearl.
AT length the caravan reached the great
city where the king lived; and the mer-
chants began to prepare the merchandise
But many of them were sadly disappointed.
Some of them found that their shells, which
thev had carried all the way from the sea-
/, coast, were empty. Others found that the
pearls which, when they first came out Of
their shells, were pure white, had turned
yellow, and were of little value.
But the merchant who had sold every
thing that he had to buy his pearl, came
forth with JOY from the trial. This pearl
was pure white. There was not spot up
on it. 1t was perfectly round, and larger
than any that had ever been seen. Th>
despised merchant was now the first man
in the city. He sold his pearl to the king
for an immense sum, and became a ricl
man. Those who had ill-reated him were
glad to beg his favor, and he did not forget
those who had been kind to him. And
for years afterwards the merchant and hi,
valuable pearl were remembered and talk
ed of
We are all seeking for pearl; and that
pearl is happiness. Some seek it in riches
They give themselves no rest They sit "
late at night, and they rise up early in tho
morning, in order to get rich, and some
times they succeed. But often riches takc
to themselves wings and flee away; and i
not, they die and leave their riches. Thei
f pearl shell is empty.
, Others again seek their happiness il
: pleasure. They spend their whole life il
| amusement, and never look beyond th,
f present day. But they soon get tired o
their amusements, and then they try new
t ones, until they have gone through all the,
can get, and then they have nothing t.
. look to. And when they get old they can