Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-01-20

reached the small buthhappy Kingdom oI
Burinapoor. The native king knowing his
own weakness against the mighty hosts oi
Alexander, received him and, kis army hos
ipitably. Tie sent, messengers TO invite
Alexander to his modest palace, and pre-.
pared banquet. When the conqieror
was seated, he beheld a most singular spec
tacle. Instead OF the usual fish and flesh
and fowl and bread. all that was placed
before him was either Of Gold SILVER. or
precious stonesg Thus, inSteAdor the soup
there was a plate Of emeraldS. ~ The goblet
Of wine was represented by goblet oi
pearls. Birds. artiStic9llY .pale Aof gold
iwerAl served up tA him. Aad tav% bayes
were there TO represent the wheaten
loaf.
4 "Dayou eat gold and jlYTIand drink
pearls In your lAAd N asked alexander
lastohiSAed. = t1k Z eyAg 4
"Can l believe" said the native king,
that you, the great, eopquerqr Of the
world, who has lett your ewn laIh 70 sub
due the rshbteA kiugtbne OF he earth
can | think that You can feel satisfied to
be fed from the usual productions of the
land ike other menl Surely, OF grain,
meat, and wine you have plenty in, your
country Your roaming and oonquests can
have no other object but riches and power.
Here there is gold, silver. and precious
stones. Eat and drink them, and show us
that YOU are more than common mortal I"
Alexander who could at times appreci-
ate stern truths, kindly answered, '"My
friend, have not come to conquer nor to
rob yoln HngiouAl II visa SIMPLY TO in
form myself OF your habits, your customs,
and your laws rnv
I Alas, great lcdnqusrorl7 said the native
prince, ii inquisitive princes thirsting for
knowledge should all adopt your plan, by
bringing an armed host along with them
TO learn the customs and laws Of distant
lands, there would be little Of either left
after the depsrtussof such q body OF PHI
losophic travellers. However, viii gra-
tify the curiosity Of my great guest" Clap
ping his hands he demanded of the attend
ants whether any causes or lawsuits were
at that moment before the great gate OF
the palace; and, finding that there were,
" Let the suitors come before me, said the
native king
Two villagers then appeared before the
king. The first ona addressed him thus:
81 have bought small piece OF ground
from this my neighbor. Digging upon it
| suddenly discovered hidden treasure,
which forthwith took TO my neighbor
telling him that although n 'bo1sht land |
did not buy gold and silver from him
therefore the treasure belongs to,him."
The second villager said, May it please
the king, when sold my neighbor the
land 4 felt that I had nofGrther right nor
title to il; howthen can ! accept the treas
ure which no longer belongs TO mel'
The king, strokng his long beard, asked
whether the oonsending parties had
children ''Yes." was the reply. I've have
both Of US sons and daughters
Well, then.n said the king, z my jndg
ment is that the daughter of the one liti
CANT marry the. son sof the,ethers and the
treasure be given as dewfy." ,a;,al
The villagers thanked the king and left
rejoicing. ~ of 5aAD
Alexander, who had listened TO this
strange suit and to the kings decision,
could not conceal his astonishment.
aE's IiasHFS decision faiiei to nbtain your
demanded the native king Of
Alexander. How would you, in youF
own country, in case like this, have
decided ~ - I1gW @f a
.sIn my eountry,S said Alexander, the
aud conqueror speaking in every
word, "a treasure found in the bowels of
the earth, no matter who the owner Of the
surface may be, belongs TO the king and
would put to instant death sny subject OF
mine who, finding treasure, should dare
to conceal or fail to deliver it to the
authorities within the day"
The native king, mucn astonished, and
looking at Alexander attentiyely, at last !
said ; Y Pray tell me, great cOnqueror, does
the sun shine in your country 2"
Certainly, ,"said Alexander. ~
How strange ~ said the native king. |
"Does it rain in your conntry ~
he asked again.
Certainly" replied Alexander. o.
81 w cndertnlJ2 mTmured the native
prince. F'Have you anF domestic aaimals
in your land z" @"FHI
"0f course we have" answered Alex !
lnder' -7uq
"Ha p cried the native prince, relieved, |
it is for the sake of these poor animals that
1 good and wise Providence allows the |
blessed sun to shine and the rain to fall
upon your fields; for surely you and yoar
9eople. o great king. do not deserve these |