Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-04-26
Persian Legend.

The Persians say that Alexander, coming
to understand that in the mountain OF Kaf
there was great cave, very black and dark
wherein ran the water of immortality, would
needs take q journey thither But being
afraid of losing his way in the cave, and con-
sidering With himself that he had committed a
great oversight in leaving the more aged in
the cities and fortified places, and keeping
about his person only young people, such as
were unable to advise him, he ordered to be
brought to him some old man, whose counsel
he might follow in the adventure he was then
upon. There were in the whole army two
brothers, named Chiddcr and Elias, who had
brought their father along with them, and this
good old man bade his sons go and tell Alex
ander that to go through with the design be
had undertaken, his only mode was to take
mare that had q coIt'at her heels, and ride up
on her into the cave, and leave the colt the a
entrance of it, and the mare would infalIibly
bring him back again to the same place with
out any trouble. Alexander thought the ad-
vice SO good that he whould not take any
other person with him in that journey but
these two brothers, leaving the rest of his re-
tinue at the entrance of the cave He advanc-
ed so far that he came to gate, SO well pol
ished that, Notwithstanding the great dark
ness, it gave light enough to let him sec there
was bird fastened thereto The bird asked
Alexander what he would have! lie made
answer that he looked for the water of immor
tality The bird asked him what was done in
the world ? Mischief enough" replies Alex
ander, " since there is no vice or sin but rcigns
there"
Whereupon, the bird getting loose and fly
ing away, the gate opened and Alexander saw
an angel sitting, with a trumpet in his hand,
holding it as if he was about to blow it. Alex
ander asked him his name The angel said he
was called Raphael, and that he only awaited
the command of God to sound the trumpet
and call the word to judgment. Having said
this, he asked Alexander his name Alexan-
der told his name and errand when the angle
gave him stone, and said to him "Go thy
way find another stone of the same weight
with this. and thou shalt find Immortality
Alexander than asked him how long he had
to live when the angel said to him, till such
time as the heaven and the earth which en-
compass thee be turned to iron Alexander
having come out of the cave, sought a long
time, and not meeting with any stone of Just
the same weight with the other, he put one in
to the balance which he thought came very
near it, and finding but very little difference,
he added thereto little earth, which made
the scales event being Gods intention to
show Alexander thereby that he was not to
expect immortality till he was Mingled with
the earth. At last, Alexander having fallen
from his horse on the barren ground of Char,
they laid him upon the coat he wore over his
armor, and covered him with his bucker to
keep off the heat of the sun. Then he began
to comprehend the prophecy of the angel, and
was satisfied that the hour of his Immortality
was at hand.
They add to this fable that the two broth
crS, Chddcr and Elias, drank Of the water Of
Immortality, and that they are still living,
but invi>ible-Elias upon the earth, and Child
der in the water, wherein the latter hath so
great power, that those who are in danger of
being destroyed by water, if they earnestly
prey, vowing an offering to him, and firmly be-
Iieviug that he can relieve thcm shall escape
the danger.-EmJaSsador's Irarcls.