The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-12-04
From the German.
THE LEFT EYE.

From the German.
THE LEFT EYE.
A rich old man, " ho resided at the eXtremi-
ty OF the camp, quite apaIt from the rest, had
three daughters, the youngest OF whom, named
Kookju, was as much distinguished for her beau
ty as for extraordinary wisdom.
One morning as be was about driving his
cattle for sale 10 the CHAINS market-p place, he
begged his daughters TO tell him what presents
they wished him to bring them on his return.
The two eldest asked him for trinkets, bu; the
handsome and wise Kooku said that she wanted
no present, but that would be difficult and even
dangerous Tor him to execute. Upon which
the father, who loved her more than the two
others, swore tia; he would do her wish though
ii was the price of his life.
''l it be So" replied Kookjn, II beg you
10 do follows; sell your cattle except the
short tailed OK, and ask no other price for ii
except the Cban's left eye" The old man was
startled however, remembering his oath, and
confding 10 his daughters wiston he resolved
TO do as she badr him.
After having sold all his cattle, and being
asked the price fthe short-iaIIrd OK, he said
that n" would sell ii for nothing eisr than the
Chan's left eye. The report Of this singular
and daring request soon reached the ear oflhe
Chan's courtiers. At first they admonishrd
him not to use such an offensive speech against
the sovereign bot when they found that he
persevered in his strange demand, they Bound
him and carried him as a madman, before the
Chan. The old man threw himself at the
princes feet. aud confessed that bis demand had
been made at the request OF his daughter, whose
motives b" was perfectly lgnorat of; aud the
No., a. =
den under this extraordinary request, dismissed
the old man, uudrr the condition that he would
bring him that daughter who had made it.
kookiu appeared, and the Chan asked
+ "Why do>t thou instruct thy father 10 de-
mand my left eye ~
because expected, my prince. that after so
strange request, curiosity would urge thee to
send for me-"
"And wherefore dost thou desire to see
me ~
81 wish to tell thee truth important to thy
sSsli. aRd thy people"
''Name it.n
"Prince," replied Kookju, swhen two per-
sons appear before thee in cause, the wealthy
and the noble generally stand on thy right
hand, while the poor and humble stand on thy
left. have heard in my solitude that thou
mos! frequently favorest the noble and the rich.
This is the reason why l persuaded my faith
er to ask for thy left eye ii being no use to
thee, since thou never seesL the poor and un-
protected"
The Chan, incenspd and surprised at the dar-
ing Of this maiden, commanded his court TO
try her. The court was opened, and the presl-
dent, who was the eldest Lama, proposed that
they should Try whether her strange proceedings
We're the effect Of malice or wisdom.
Their girst step was to send to kookiu log
Of ood, cut even on all sides, ordering her
to find ont which was the top. h0oklu threw
ii into the water and soon knew the answer,
on seeing the root sinking, while the top rose 10
the surface
After this they sent her two snakes, IN order
to determine which was male and which was
a female. The wise maiden laid them on cot
ton and seeing that one coilrd herself up in
ring, while the other crept away, She jndg-
I'd the latter was a male and the former
female.
From these trials the court twas convinced
that kookiu had not offended the Chan from
motives Of malice, but the inspiration OF WIS
dom granted her from above. But not 50 the
Chan his vanity hurt and he resol we'd
to puzzle her with questions, III order to prove
that she not wise. He, therefore, ordered
her before him, and asked
''On sending a number of rnaidens into the
wood TO gather apples, which Of them will
bring home most 2"
..Shr." replied Kookju, ''who, instead of
climbing up the trees, remains below and picks
up those which have fallen off from maturity or
tne shaking OF the branches"
The Chan then led her to a fence, and asked
her which would be the readiest way to get
over; and Kookju said, eto cross it would be
nearest, going round the farthest."
The Chan felt vexrd at the readiness and
propriety ofhvrIrplrs; and having reflected for
sone time he again inquired:
"Which is the safest means of becoming
! known"
"By assisting many that are unkown."
"Which is the surest means of leading vir-
tuous lie J"
$50 begin every morning with prayer,
aad conclude every evening with some good
action ~
"Who is truly wise ?''
s,He who does not believe himselfso."
I (Which are the requisites for good wife ?''
'sSbr should ne beautiful as proken, gentle
as a lamb, prudent as a mouse, just as faithful
mirror, pure as the scales of fish she must
mourn for her deceased husband like shecam-
e, and live in her widowhood like bird which
has lost its wings"
The Chan was astonished at the wisdom Of
the fair Kookiu; yet, enraged at her having re-
reproached bin with injustice, be still wished
10 destroy her.
After few DAYS be thought he had found
the means of attaining his object. He sent tol
her and asked her 10 determine the true worth
of all his treasures after which he promised tc