The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-06-02
The Three Wishes.

| dent; had II been originally composed in q
northern land, II is probable that the King
would have been represented ne dethroned
| by means of bribes obtained from his own
! treasury.
There was onco wise emperor who made
law that to every stranger who came to
bis court fried fish should be served. The
servants were directed to take notice. ",
| whom tho stranger had eaten tho fish to tho
bono on one side, he turned it over and be-
gan on the other side. If he did he was to
be Immediately seized, and on tho third day
thereafter he was to be pat to death. But
by great stretch of imperial clemency, the
| culprit was permitted to utter one wish
each day, which the emperor pledged him
self to grant. provided it was not to spare
his life. Many bad already perished in
consequence of this edict, when one day
the count and bis Young son presented
themselves at tho court. Tho fish was
served as usual, and when the count bad re-
moved all the fisb from one side, be turned
1t over and was about TO commence on the
other side, when be was suddenly seized and
thrown into prison, and was told of his ap-
preaching doom. Sorrow stricken, the
counts young son besought tho emperor to
allow him to die 10 the room of his father
favor which the monarch was pleased to
| accord him. The count was accordingly
released from prison, and bis son was thrown
in in his stead. As soon as this bad been
done, tho young man said to his jailor
You know l have the right to make three
demands before die; 20 and tell the EN-.
peror to send mo bis daughter and the
priest to marry US" This first demand was
DOT much TO the emperor's taste, nevortbo.
less be feit tound to keep his word, and he
therefore complied with the request, to
which the princess had no kind of objection
This occurred in times when kings kept
their treasures in cave. or in tower go,
apart for the purpose. like the Emperor OF
Morocco in these days. And on the second
day of bis imprisonment tho young man de,
manded the Kings treasures II his first
demand was bold one, the second was not
less so (; still an emperor's word is sacred,
and having made the promise, he was forced
to Keep II; ; and the treasures of gold un6
silver and jewels were placed at tho priso.
ner's disposal. On getting possession OF
them, bo distributed proiusely among the
cour'lers, and soon he had gained u host of
friends by his liberaIity.
! The emperor began to feel exceedingly
uncomfortable. Unable to sleep, he rose
early on the third morning and went with
fear in his heart, to hear what the third
wish was 10 be.
Now" said he to his prisoner, "tell me
J what your third demand lie, that it NAV be
granted at once, and you may be hung out
o: hand, for am tired of your demands"
"Sir. answered his prisoner. IL have but
one moro favor to request Of your majesty,
which when you have granted, shall be
ready and willing TO die 1t is merely that
n fh., - h,
father turn the fish over to DO put out"
Very good" replied the emperor, "your
demand is but natural, and springs from a
good heart. Let the chamberlain be seized"
he continued, turning to his guards.
II, Sir" cried the cham berlain, Il did not
see aDything-it was tho steward"
Lot the steward be seized, then," said the
king.
But the steward protested with tears 10
bis eyes, that be had not witnessed any
thing OF what bad been reportec, aud said
it was the butler. The butler declared
that be had seen nothing of the matter, and
that IL must have been the Wallets. But
tboy protested that they were utterly igno.
rant of what lad been charged against the
count in short it turned out that nobody
could be found who had seen tho count
commit the otfense; upon which the priu.
cess said:
II appeal to you, my father, as to another
Solomon. 1t nobody saw the otfense com.
mitted the count cannot be guilty, and my
| husband is innocent"
The emperor frowned, and forthwith the
ccurtiers began to murmur; then he smiled,
and Immediately their visages became ra-
diant.
"Let it be So" said his majesty, "let him
live. though have put many a man to death
for lighter offense than his. But if he is
not hung, he is married. Justice has been
done."