Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-01-31
The Three WisAsss.

There was once wise emperor who mode
q law, that, to every stranger who came to
his court, fried FISH should be served. The
servants were directed to take notice it, when
the stranger had eaten the fish to the bono
on one side, he turned it over and began on
the other side. If he did, he was to be i'm
mediate!y seized, and, ON the third day there.
after, he was TO be put 10 death. But by q
great stretch Of imperial clemency, the ,cul-
prit was permitted to utter one wish each
day, which the emperor pledged himself to-
grant, provided it was not to spare his life.
Many had already perishcd in consequence
of this edict, when, one day, count and his
young son presented themselves at court
The fish was served as usual, aRd when the
count had removed all the fish from one side,
be turned i. over, and was about to commence
ON the other, when he was suddenly seized
and thrown into prison, and was told of his
approaching, DOOM. Sorrow-stricken, tho
counts Young son besought the emperor to
allow him to die in the pa, Q of his father q
favor II hich the monarch was pleased to &C.
cord him. The count was accordingly re-
leased from prison, and his son was thrown
into his cell in his stead. AS soon as this
had been done, the young man said to his
iailors:-" You know [ have the right to
make three demands before l die: go and
tell the emperor to send me his daughter, aud
priest to marry u.s." This first demand
was not 60 much TO the emperor's taste /;
nevertheless, be felt bound to keep his word,
aud be, therefore, complied with the request:
10 which the princess had 10 kind of objec-
t;on. This occurred in the times, when kings
kert their treasures in cave, or in tower
set apart for the purpose, like the Emperor
of Morocco in these days; ard, on the sei
cond day of his Imprisonment, the young
man demanded the kings measures. II his
first demand was bold one, the second was
not less so; still, an emperor word is, sacred,
and, having made the promise, he ives forced
to keep it and the treasures of geld and
silver were placed at the prisoners disposal.
On getting possession of them, he distributes
them profusely among the courtiers, and soon
he had made a host Of friendsby hisiberality
+ The emperor tegan now to feel exceeding
" uncomfortable. Unable to sleep, he rose
early on the. third morning, and went, Y i'll
fear in his heart, to the prison to hear what
the third rish was to be.
"Now," said he to his prisoner, "tell me
what your third demand is, that it may be
granted at once, and you may be hung ou
Of hand, for am tired of your demands
"Sire," answered his prisoner, l havt
but one more favor to request Of your mo)cs
Fty, which when you have granted, shall dit
content. 1t is merely thatyou will cause th'
oyes of those who saw my father turn th'
fish over TO beput out"
every good" replied the emperor, You
| demand is but natural, and springs from
good heart. Let the chamberlain be seized
he continued, turning to his guards.
81, sirei" cried the chambesIain ~ dit
not sce anything-it was the steward :,
g Let the steward be seized, then,' said th
But the steward protested, with tears il
his eyes, that he had not witnessed anythIn
of what had been reported, and said it ya
Fthc butler. The butler declared that he fiA
seen nothing of the matter, and thatis nun
have been one of the Wallets. Bnt they pre-
;. tested that they were utterly ignorant Z
what had been charged against the count; J
short, it turned out that nobody could b
sthund wkae had seen the count Commit tn
5 offeuoe, ppou which; The princess said sc
! az sppeai to you, my father, as T. anothe
lSJacan1. II nCboay saw the offence ce1