Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-21
VOL. 7O.-35SS. NO. 40.

"You will soon know better" said the
second
If you do" said the third, arm steal all
the clothes the man has upon him, or forfeit
my pretentions to professional excellence"
Bah y said the other two, "you will al.
tempt what you cannot accomplish"
We will see" said the third.
| The unsuspecting man was plodding along
without thoughts of injury, when the first
approached and cut the cord and bell from
the Sleeps neck, and attached the bell to the
donkey's tail, where its jingle continued to
be heard.
In due time the man looked behind to OBJ
serve the condition of his sheep, and to his
horror found ii was gone. In dismay and
distress he appealed TO the first person he
met, and asked IL he had seen any one with
a sheep.
Yes replied the person, +" | saw a man
clambering down the hillside with such
prize but | thought it was his own"
Hold my donkey for a moment" said
the man, and as the person did so, he went
IN the wrong direction in pursuit Of the rob
Der and his sheep.
Finding, however, that his pursuit was
vain, he returned tired and breathess to
where be had left the donkey. But 10 il
was not there sheep and donkey both were
stolen from him. Sad and perplexed, he sat
down to reflect, and grieve over his losses;
but soon he heard the wailing Of some one
IN distress. lie listened for moment, and
the sound became audible.
What is this 2" he said. "Can any one
be more miserable than / ''
But the cry Of anguish became louder and
still louder. lie hastened to the place whence
it proceeded, and there behcld a man weep
| ing as though there vas no comfort for him.
"What is this, my friend 2" said he.
How are you afflicted 2"
Alasw said the man, "I'm ruined for
ever"
Ruined I" said he. "How are you ru-
mined ?"
al came to this well for draught of wa
ter" he replied, "and while drank let
drop costly gem, and it lies beneath the
water"
as that all ?" said he
"Ah p exclaimed the other, ait is Of great
worth"
$50 it may be-" said the honest man;
but | have lost my sheep aud donkey
which was unwllingly about to sell at the
next market, that | might pay off some
pressing debts, yet do not bewail my loss"
whats that loss" replied the other,
sands of ducats, and without which it would
only cost my life to return to the king, my
master, who sent me with it as gift to
royal friend beyond the seas ?"
"Why do you not go down in the water
and recover it n asked the man.
ALAS p said the other, " | cannot swim
| would only drown"
"Then | will go down for you, said the
good, honest man."
"Will you p exclaimed the other. DO
so, and here are four golden pieces for your
pains-more than the sum Of all your losses
and If you regain my treasure I.shall forever
owe you my gratitude"
The honest man received the pieces OF
gold, and placed them in his pocket, and
then took off his clothes and descended into
the water. But after long and careful
search he came out of the well to ask the
stranger on which side tho gem had fallen,
when 10 he was gone, and the poor country
man was without sheep, or donkey, or cloth
ing-there all alone by the brink of a deep
well-and the robbers were all far awaywith
the trophies of their artful roguery.