Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-09
Translated from the French.
The Sfnaafer ODtic.

Tine sinister Optics
A rich old man who had resided at the ex-
tremty of the camp, quite apart from the
rest had three daughters, the youngest OF
whom, named Kookju, was much distin-
guished for her beauty as for her extraordin-
AIRY wisdom. flaaIs sff 4.tl, t.1aI
; One morning, as he was about driving his
cattle for sale TO the Chan's market place he
begged his daughters to tell him what pres
ents they wished him to bring them on his
return. The two eldest asked him for trink-
cts, but the handsome and wise Koohju said
that she wanted no present, but that she had
a request to make which it would be difficult
and even dangerous for him to execute. Upon
which her father, who loved her more than
the two others, swore that he would do
her wish, though it were at the price of his
life.
'If il be so replied Kookju; 'do as follows:
sell all your cattle, except the short-tailed OK,
and ask no other price for it except the
Chan's left eye"
The old man was startled; however, re-
membering his oath, and confding in his
daughters wisdO ON, he resolved TO do as she
bade him .-rE ,-t
After havinri sold all his cattle, and being
asked for the price of his short-tailed OK, he
said he would sell il for nothing else but the
CHAINS left eye. The report of this singular
and daring request soon reached the ears of
the CHAINS ,ourtiers. At first they admon-
ished him nut to use such offensive speech
against the Sovereign; but when, they found
that he persevered in his strange demand they
bound him and carried him as madman before
the Chan. The old man threw himself at the
Princes feet, and confessed that the demand
had been made at the request of his daughter
of whose motives he was perfectly ignorant;
and the Chan, suspecting some secret must be
hidden under this extraordinary request, dis
missed the old man under the condition that
he would bring him that daughter who had
made it. -ar y
Kookju appeared, and the Chan asked.
"Why didst thou instruct thy father to de-
mand my left eyep'
Because expected, my Prince, that after
SO strange a request curiosity would urge
thee to send for me- ar HHaH
"And wherefore dost thou desire to see
me 2"
81 wish to tell thee truth important to
thyself and thy peoplep'
Name it"
"Prince, replied Kookju, "when two per-
sons appear before thee in case the wealthy
and noble generally stand on the right hand,
while the poor and humble stand on the left
have heard in my solitude that thou most
frequently favorest the noble and rich. This
is the reason why persuaded my father to
ask for thy left eye, it being ofuo use to thee,
since thou never aeest the moor and unnro-
taotod - WV -
T5e Chan ;rcansod and surnrisad az ,ha
daring Of ths maiden conmsndpd his his court NJ
try her Tho court was onened and fhe
President who was the eldest Lama nro.
nosed that thev sbouId trv WHETHER her
strange nroceedings were the effect of malice
or wisdom. - - 'HSO
The first step was to send to KoolSju log
of wood. cut even on ali sides. ordering her
IN find ont which was The root and Sbich
the ton. Kookiu threw it into the water.
and soon knew the answer. on seeing tbe
root sinking, while the tor rose to thee sur up
face. face o. '''o '''' y. p 80 " ~ 'i ~
Alter which tbey sent her two snakes IN
determine which was The male and which
was The female, The wise maiden laid them
on cotton, and SEEING one coil ;tself in a rine-
while the other crsnf ayvsy sba indeed thsst
tha latter ,vas.the Isis p, IA 1he & &rs'ar tbo
'iI' Fron tbaue TRIALS tho corrt NO. con rv;,,ooa
that Kookiu had not offended the Chan if,a from
motives of maIace1 but at The insnirat;on Of