The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-06-25
THE TWELVE PURSES.
An Aneedote OF the Emperor Jo-
sSfte@ SeDh Second. -99 ~

An Aneedote OF the Emperor Jo-
~ seph Second.
One night the Emperor Joseph H., of
Germany, determined on visiting his
guards to ascertain their fidelity and what
might be placed on their vigi-
lance. Finding them all asleep, or at least
in appearance, he returned TO his cham
bers for SONS money which he had re.
served for different purpose, contained
in as many purses as there W ere soldiers
on duty--twelve in number. These he
visited once more, and placed under the
arm of each one of these purses, in ev-
cry one of which we're a hundred pieces of
gold.yi bsses9i(T 3 79 9er,.sf,,5e
One of the soldiers who was not asleep,
although be feigned to be so,took particd.
lar notice ofthe Emperor. and at his de-
parture examined the purse which had
been putunder his arm, and finding that
1T contained hundred pieces Of gold, sup
posed each of his companions had as
much of which he mig gltotake possession
before they awoke. This he Immediately
|putinpractice by gently easing them Of
their valuable burdens. e aa-5s .
The Emperor, who had no doubt that
all the soldiers were asleep when he visi.
ted them, and that they must be overjoy-
ed on awakening, at discovering their
good fortune caused them to be called to.
gether early in the morning, and asked
them successfully what they had dreamed
the preceding night, anu whether the
success wss answerable to the vision,
imagining each would say that he had
found purse under his arm OF a hundred
lpeces of gold. But not a word Of the
matter did he hear from the first eleven
thathe examined until he came to the
twelfth, the wa'chful sentinel Of the pre-
ceding night, who making profound
bow to the King, said. 81
"Sire, l fancied at night that person
\ who very much resembled Your Majesty
visited US one after another, and, finding
4 rs all asleep, returned to his chamber
but soon came back with a dozen purses
which he attached severally to the arm o
each of us, and then withdrew. After
ward, ,Sire,it was evident,unless my dream
deceived me, that when that generous anG
venerable person had retired, began tt
examine the contents of the purse unde
1 my own arms, and finding in it a hundred
pieces of gold, supposed each of my
companions had so many, when | wa
seized with a sudden zeal to put them al
together, saying to myself that, for man,
cogent reasons which then occurred to M
l it would be well to do so; and so / did
which pleased me exceedingly on awak
ling. This, Sire, is the whole of IN,
dream. Ihope Your Majesty approve
of my devotion, which, assure you, i
very sincere and affectionate."
q The Emperor, learning from this inge
nious haransue that the soldier was no
one of those who slept, and that, not with
standing he had feigned being in the sam
condition with his companions. he wa
i the only one at his duty, permitted hin
: alone to enjoy the reward, saying:
Eyes, approve OF your decision; th
the prize is yours alone, for you only wer
awake. As for the rest, is sufficient 70
themto know that each had hundred
pieces OF gold, which he lost by bein,
asleep. Hence, they will learn that rich
es arenot acquired by slumber, or ii b
| some lucky accident they fall to the shar
Iof the slothful they take flight as suddenl
land as unforeseen as they came"