Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-10-26
The Magic Jar.

ulNAANlf y NAANilI ntuAf diN "a eAANNE UlAN
But beyond this she had not much favored
him and though able and willing to work,
he had often little to do and less to cat But
his mother had taught him to be contented
with his own lot, and TO feel for others.
Moreover, from her he inherited great love
for flowers.
Now one day, when his pockets were empti-
est, fair was held in the neighboring town,
and he must needs 90 as well as others Though
he had nothing to spend. But he stuck u
dandelon in his buttonhoe, for which he had
nothing to pay and strobe along as merrily
as the rest.
Towards evening some of the merrymakcrs
became riotousi and party Of them fell
upon an old Jew who was keeping stall Of
glass and china, aud would smash his stock.
Now as the jew stood before his booth be-
seoching them to spare his property, up come
the strong young man, with the dandelion
still unwithered in his button-hole, and he
took the old jews part and defended him.
For from childhood his mother had taught
him to feel for others.
SO those who would have ill-treated the old
jew now moved of, and the young man staid
with him ILL he had packed up his wares.
Then the jew turned toward him aud said,
My son, he who delivers the oppressed and
has respect for the aged has need Of no re-
ward, for the blessing Of Him that blesseth is
about him. Nevertheless, that | may not
seem iugratelhl, choose, | pray thee, one of
these china jars, and take it to thee for thine
own, Iftlfou choose'h we'll, it may be of
moro USE to thee than than thou woudest
suppose
Then the young man examined the jars
which were highly ornamented with many fig
ures and devices but he chose one that was
comparatively plain only it had bunch Of
flowers painted on the front, around which
was pretty device in spots or circles of gold
Then said the jew, (" My sou, why have
you chosen this jar, when there are others so
much finer? 4" And the young man said,
Because the flowers please me, and have a
love for flowers. Then, said the jew,
, Happy is ho whose tastes are simple |!
Moreover, herein is . rare wisdom, and thou
hast gained that which is the most valuable
Of my possessions. This jar has properties
which will further expluin to thee, 1t was
given to me by wise woman, subject to this
condition. that | must expose it for sale from
oAhttrt W nuhnth Ut tht ltufl1 thlIs W utll L
understood this | took counsel with myself
how should preserve it; and bought other
china jars Of more apparent value, and
marked them all with the same price. For
l said within ny self, There is no man who
does not desire to get as much as he can for
his money, therefore, from its contrast with
these others, my jar is safe. And it wa.
even sos for, truly, many have desired to buy
the jar because of the delicate beauty of the
flowers, if would have sold it for less thar
others which seemed so much more valuable
Many times il has been almost gone, but
when | have shown the others at the same
price my customers have reyiled me saying
Dog OF jew, dost thou ask as much foi
this as for these others which are manfesty
worth double2' and they have either depart
ed, cursing me, and taking nothing oil
they have bought one Of the more elabo
rate jars at the same price. For verify il
most men the spirit Of covetousness is strong
or than'tho love of beauty, and they rather
desire 70 get much for their money than t,
obtain that which is suitable and convenient
But in thee, O young man, have beheld q
rare wisdom To choose that which is gooC
in thine eyes, and suitable to thy needs, rath
or than that which satisheth the lust of over
reaching aud 10 what have so long KEEP
from thousands has become thine
Then ihe young man wished to restore to
the jew the jar he valued SO highly, and t,
choose another but the jew refused, saying
"a Gift cannot be recalled. Moreover, viii
now explain to thee its uses. Within the ja
lies a toad whose spit is poison. But it vii
never spit at It's master Every evening thor
must feed It with bread aud milk, when i
will fall asleep; and at sunrise in the morning
il will awake and breathe heavily against tn,
side Of the jar, which win thus become warm
As ii warns, the flowers will blossom out an
becomereal, aud fall Of perfume aud tho
wilt be able to pluck them without diminish
ing their number Moreover, those lively
rolnd spots Of gold will drop of and becom
twelve gold pieces, which will be thine An
thus II will be every day. Only thou mus
myself rise with the sun, and gather the Gov
ers and gold with thine own hands. Fun
thernore.. when the jar eools, the flowers an
gliding win be as before. Fare thee well.
Aud even as he spoke the jew lifted tn
huge crate Of china on his back, and disaI
peared among the crowd.
All came about ps the jew had promise,
Ashehad twelve gold PIECES a-day, the youn
man now wanted for nothing besides whic
he had fresh flowers on the table all the yea
round. asi wl}
Nov Il is well said, = Thy business is IN
abusiress, aBd the business Of all besides
Tor every mans affairs are his neighbour
property. Thus It came about that all thos
who lived near the young mar were perple,