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

There was once wise emperor VINO meoe
law, that, to every stranger who came to
his court, u fried fish should be served. The
servants were directed to take notice if, 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
mediately seized, and, ,on the third day there.
after, he was 10 be put 10 death. But, By o
great stretch of imperial clemency, the ,cul-
prit was permitted to utter one wish each
dar, which the emperor pledged himself to
grant, provided it 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 all the fish from one side,
he turned it 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, the
counts Young son besought the emperor to
allow him to die in the pa. q of his father; q
favor which the monarch was pleased to ac-
cord him. Tho 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 die: go and
tell the emperor to send me his daughter, and
n priest to marry u.s." This first demand
was not 60 much TO the emperor,s taste (;
nevertheless, he f.lt bound to keep his word,
aud be, therefore, complied with the request:
to which the princess had no kind of objec-
ton. This occurrei in the times, when kings
kent their treasures in cave, or in tower
set apart for the purpose, like the Emperor
of Morocco in these days; aud, on the Sc;
cond day of his imprisonment, the young
man demanded the kings measures. II his
frst demand was bold one, the second was
not less so still, an emperor's word is, sacred,
and, having made the promi:e, he was forced
to keep it; and the treasures of geld and
silver were placed at the prisoners disposal
On getting possession Of them, be distribu ed
them profusely among the courtiers, and soon
4 he had made a host of frieRdsby his liberality
The emperor tegan now to feel exceeding
" uncomfortable. Unable to sleep, he ROSE
early on the third morning, aud went, viii
fear in his heart, to the prison to hear what
the third Hish was to be.
sNow," said he to his prisoner, "tell me-
what your third denaad is, that it may bt
granted at once, and you may be hung ou
Of hand, for am tired of your demands
"Sire," answered his. prisoner havt
but one more favor to request of your moJes
Ety, which when you have granted, shall DIT
content 1t is merely thatyou will cause TIL
eyes of those who saw my father turn tn
fish over to be put out"
every good" replied the emperor, "you
demand is bat natural, and springs from
good heart. Let the chamberlain be seized
} he continued, turning to his guards. ;.
81, sire!" cried the chamberlain VI dit
not see any.hing-is was the steward" !.
, "Let the steward be seized, then," said th
king. =, .: !:
: his ewes, tha. he had not witnessed anythfn
tof what had been reported, and said it ya
ftbs butler. The butler declared that be ha
seen nothing of the matter, and that it nuH
baEe been one of the Wallets. But they pre-
p tested that. they we're utterly ignorant Z
what had been charged against the count; !
short, it turned out that nobody cyuh b
Il E.bunds wka had seen tho count .coEn!t;t tn
!. offence, npou which: The princess said :-La
{ II appcM to you, my fsfher, as to anothe
lSnacwo9, II uObody saw the offence coz