The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-05-13
[Fiom Cushing's KemIniscences.l ]
a SPANISH LEGEND.

and truly, think, he was more learned
than wise, for he had the presumption to
say, that if his counsel had been taken
at the creation of the world, he could
have arranged things much more con-
venicntly than we find them; and the
ancient writings tell us that God pun
ishsd him for his impunity, with many
and grievous Affections in his old age.
Well, Don Alfonso was pricking on
towards Aranda, at the head of troop
of lancers, when darkness overlook him
near the convent of San MILAN de Cog
olles. Of course it was resolved, as of
common accord, to demand the hospital
ity of the good fathers of San MILAN,
aud the party rode up to the gates, moth
ing doubling they should be cordially
received, and should mend their re-
past by emptying few of the wine skins
of the monastery. But when they ar
rived at the gate and asked for admis-
sion, the porter surlily bade them be-
gone, supposing or pretending to suppose
that they were band of mountain out
laws come to rob the convent, and it was
some time before Don Alonso's people
could bring the friars to their senses
and procure admission within their
walls; nor even then until the soldiers
had begun to devise means of entering
I by force. The King by this, had fallen
into towering passion, which it required
all the obsequiousess of the Abbot, and
all the hospitable attendance of his
monks to pscify and allay. But in dis
cussing the contents of the cellar and
larders, Don Alfonso came to be. some
what Modified, and thus ended with
imposing on the monks such terms as
none but bookworn and stargazer like
himself would ever have imagined.
Father Cayetano,' said he, you or
your people have done that which I
might we'll visit upon you to your cost
but feel inclined to admit your humble
Acknowledgements and overlook your Of
fence and 1 will do go, provided you
will be prepared on the morrow, be-
fore depart, to answer me four ques-
tions. You shall tell me how much
the moon weighs; how many casks it
would take to hold the sea; how much
the King of CASTLE is worth, and wha,
I am thinking about at the time and
woe betide you and your house if you
fail to answer me correctly to all these
Inquiries
Hereupon the old king retired to rest,
leaving the monks sorely puzzled by the
questions which he had given them for
meditation, for they had abundantly
more money than wit. They pondered
in vain upon the odd fancies of the king,
and the morning found them as i'll pre-
pared to solve the mysterious questions
as when they were first propounded.-
| When honest Jose, the miller of the
convent, came in the morning to leave
them wherewithal to furnish for the roy
al table for breakfast, he found the
monks full of trouble and dismay; and
on learning the cause of alarm from the
porter, he undertook to answer the king s
questions, if they would permit him to
assume the gown and tonsure. Father
Cayetauo saw not we'll what course to
pursue; but rejecting, at length, that
the miller was known for shrewd auJ
cunning varlet, aud that if he failed tc
satisfy the King, it might all be passed
off as a matter of merriment, he couciu
ded to venture upon the expedient So &
gested by the miller, jose, in fine, wa
carefully shaven, dressed In the garb O
the order, and presented himself at thu
apr rointed time before Don Alfonso.
WELL says the king, 'how much does
the moon weigh p
"a pound replied the miller without
a moments hesitation.
"a pound + demanded the king. 'hoW
do you make that out p
Why said Jose, the moon has fun
quarters, all the world knows, aud fnur
quarters make but one pound; and il
you think it weighs more, you are vel
come to send and have it weighed
The king was at a loss to know what
to say at this, aud so he proceeded to
the next question. 'How many casks
would it require to hold the sea p
Only one . be sure said Jose, pro
vided it be large enough
1t was impossible to dispute this, So
the king had no alternative for it but to
put his third question. How much am
1 worth p
How much is the King of CASTLE
worth p said the miller, why twenty
nine pieces of silver
Only twenty-nine pieces of silver p
cried the king in q rage.
Yes, said the the miller, 'for our Saw
iour was rated and sold for thirty, ard
I put you but one piece below our Saw
Jour-
At this palpable evasion of his inqui-
ry the king began to laugh, and could
do no less than put his last question
What am I thinking of at this mo-
ment p