The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-04-06
Sslett storg.
THE RUBY MINE.
BY GEO. L. AIKEN.

Iersian court OF lspahan that a small
Hindoo tribe, dwelling near their Dor.
ders, possessed valuable mine of pre-.
cious rubics. The Persian monarch
excited by the accounts of its great
wealth, determined to possess it. For
this purpose he dispatched an army
commanded by one Of his ablest gener-
als. 1t was soon discovered that these
illndoos were possessed Of spirit to
defend their own, for they met the in.
vading Persians, routed them in battle,
and drove them baak into their own
country.
Their success, however, was but
shortlived. Bravery cannot contend
against overwhelming numbers. Flu.
ragged at this repulse the Persian mon
arch strongly reinforced his army and
ordered :hem to lay waste the Hindoo
country and utterly exterminate the
tribe.
In the next battle that eusued the
brave but small army OF the Hnduos
was surrounded aud cut to pieces, aud
their rajah slain Many saved them
selves by flight; but Que survivor was
left upon the field, a boy of twelve years
OF age, who c!ung convulsiycly to the
dead form Of the rajah, aud would not
leave him.
Though the Persian generals orders
were, Gu pain Of death, to spare neither
young nor old, he however forgot his
duty as soldier, and listening to the
voice Of humanity, saved the youth with
the determination Of rearing him as his
own sou.
The slaughter Of the innocent Hin.
docs availcd nothing towards the dis
covery Of the secret Of the mine. The
lugitives retreated 10 some secure re-
treat among the hills and forests wither
the Persians could not trace them
Gen. Assad abandoned the search, and
led his army home again.
Being relieved from active service he
established himself in comfortable
home near the frontier. Islnail, the
governor Of the province, occupied Il
strong fortress within short distance
Of the spot that Assad had selected for
his residence. 1t was his duty to
watch the wandering tribes that har-
rassed the borders, and gain if possible
the much sought after secret of the ruby
mine.
To his new home Gen. Assad brought
the Hindoo boy whom he found upon
the battle field. Though his extraction
was not we'll known 10 the Persian mon
arch, he was suffered to live in the
hopes that one day he would reveal the
secret Of the precious mine Of rubies.
The boy gave his name as Araxa and
said that he was the favorite page of the
slain rajah; hut he was not disposed to
part with the secret of his race. For
years he resisted threats, promises, re.
wards, and every other means employed
to draw the secret from him. lnflexi-
Bile and firm he seorned them all. He
was willing to fight for Persia and her
laws, he told Gen. Assad, but he would
die sooner than betray his country.
He did fight for Persia by Assad's $
side, and by his brave and gallant de-
meanorrose quickly to chief command.
Indeed, he soon superseded Assad at
the head Of the army; the old general
being worn with age aud service, being
only too glad to yield him his place,
Araxa was generally regarded by the
soldiers as Assads son, his Hiudoo ori.
gin being known to but few.
10 the full promise of his early man
hood strong temptation to betray his
trust beset him. He loved the daugh.
ter of Ismail, the governor, a lovely gill
with whom the happiest days of youth
had been spent,
His passion had been reciprocated by
its fair object, who, for his sake, reject
cd the suit of Nasrod, proud aud
naughty chief.
The governor favored his suit in the
hope that her possession would prevail
on him to disclose tho secret of the
mine, knowing that such an event would
enrich him, and gain the lasting graft,
tudc Of his monarch. To prove his con,
stancy he sent Araxa to fight the foes
of Persia upon the Caspian shore, from
which after a most successful campaign
he returned copqucror.
On his return Ismail received hiu
with great pomp and ceremony, and
conducted him to the citadel Of the for
tress, there to make trial Of his faith
To add greater force to the request h,
was about to make, he commanded hi
daughter, the beauteous zaphyra, I,
array herself in her most becoming at
tire, aud be present at the interview
! She was the only witness TO this audi