Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-05-31
Ehe Three fsnes.

1here was once a wise EnDeror ybo
made law, that to every STRANGER who
came 10 his court, a fried fish shouJd bo
served. The servants were directed tn
notice II, when the stranger had eaten the
fish 10 the bone on one side, he turned II
over and began on the other side. If he
did, he was to be Immediately seized, and
on the third day thereafter he was to be
put to death. But by great stretch of
imperial clemency, the culprit was per-
mltied TO utter one wish each day, which
the Emperor pledged himself to grant. pro-
vlding 1t was not to spare his life Many
had already perished IN consequence OF
thIs edict, when, one day, count and his
young son presented themselves at court.
The fish was served as usual, and when
the count had removed the fish from one
side, he turned ii over. and was about TO
commence on the other when he was
--'zed and thrown into prison, and was
to! OF hIs approaching doom.
Sorrow-stricken, the counts Young son
hesought the Emperor to allow him to die
in the room of his father; a favor which
the monar,h was pleased 10 accord him.
The count was accordingly released from
prison, and his soh WAS thrown into his
cell in his stead As soon as fhis had
been done, tiIe young man ssid to the
jalIOrs-'' You know [ have a right TO
make three demands before ! Jie 90 and
tell the Emperor to send NE his daughter,
and priest 10 marry US" This first de-
mand was not much TO the Emperor's
taste, nevertheless he felt bound to keep
his word, ard he therefore complied with
the request, to which the princess had no
objection. This occurred in the iimes
when kings kept their treasures IN a cave,
or in tower at apart tor the purpose,
like the Emperor IF Moscow In these
days; and on the second day of his i'm
prisonment the young man demanded the
Emperor,s treasures
Ii his first demand was bold one, the
second was not less ~ still, an Emperor's
word is sacred, and having made the pro-
mise, he was forced To keep il and the
treasures of gold and silver were placed at
the disposal Of the prisoner. On getting
possession Of them, he distributed them
profuseiy among the courtiers, snd soon
he had made host Of friends by his
liberaLitv.
in-ly uncomfortable Unable to sleep, be
rose early on tie third morning and vent
with fear III his heart to ihe prison TO hear
what the third wish was to be
- Now" said he to his prisoner, 20 tell
NE what YOUR third demand is, that il
r,ay be granted at once. and that You
may be out of hand, for | am tired Of
your demands"
Sire answered the prisoner, "I
have out one more favor to request of
your majesty, which when you have
granted shall die content Il is Dlarely
that you will causa the eyes of those who
saw my father turn the fish over to be put
out
Very good,7 replied the Emperor,
. Your demand is but natural and springs
from a gocd heart Let the chamber
lain be seized" he continued, turning to
his guards.
81, sire !" cried the chamberlain " 1
did not see anything-it was the stow
ard
But the steward protested with tears in
his ewes, that he had not witnessed any
thing OF what had been reported, and said
IL WIS Inc OuliCt- uS DuLlCr declared
that he had seen nothing Of the matter
and that it must have been one of the
Wallets.
But they protested that they were ut
terlv ignorant of what had been charged
against the count; in short it turned out
that nobody could be found who had seen
the count commit the offence, upon which
toe princess said
q appeal to you my father, as to an
other Solomon. If nobody saw the Of
/ fence committed, the count cannot be
/ guilty. and my husband is innocent"
The Emperor frowned and forthwith
/ the courticvs bc"an to murmur; then, he
smiled and Immediately their visages be-
! came radiant.
/ - Let it be So" said his majesty; g let
/ him live. though | have put many man
to death for lighter offence than his
But he is not hung he is married. jus
tice is done"
G. Luv il like the mcazles; we kant
alwuz tell when we ketched il, and amt