Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-06-15
THE SHAFTS CHOICE.

The Grand Nizier was dying; and,
as he had been such faithful ser
want. the Shah promised that his last
request, whatever it might be, should
be granted.
Let it be given me to know, q
Commander of Slaves and Ruler of
Thrones" said the dying man, that
one of my Sons shall guard the treas
,.res of the empire Faithfully have
studied the interests of my country.
never letting personal feeling prevail
over Judgment. Let me feel that my
name shall descend in the position
thou intrusted to one of my sons"
1T shall be as thou desirest. Re
jerah, the Adviser" replied the
potentate. I'VE will try thy SONS
to the best fitted shall be given charge
over our treasures. Justice shall be
done thy memory"
Loud were the lamentations of the
nation, and great was the distress of
the old Nizier's family, when at last
lie died. But the people soon became
reconciled to the new Vizier; while
the three Sons Of Reierah We're soon
looking forward to the chance of
Holder OF TIE Golden Key" as the
title went. And shortly the eldest,
Ramedab, known throughout Persia
as the Ready Handed" was called
to the palace.
He prostrated himself to the ground
when brought before the Shah, who
thus addressed him:
'This charge is given thee, Rame-
dab, son of Rejerah, in honor of thy
father, a servant of servants-wise
for his commander, discreet for him
self, and willy toward his enemies
In token of our appreciation of these
traits, we now lend thee, for a time,
the Golden Key to the treasures.
Remember, they are Persia's. It is
a great commissiOn-thy duty is to
guard them. Let not bribery, per
sonal feeling, nor love of renown
cause thee to forget thy charge.
May the spirit of thy father be with
thee, to lead thee to act as becomes
his SON."
Ramedab was then conducted to a
large stone building used as a treas
ury by the Shah; here the gold and
jewels of the kingdom were kept.
It was guarded day and night by
trusted sentinels, whose head officer
ranked among the mobiles of the land.
The great house was rather isolated,
on the top of hill, but the guardian
was given silver whistle. which he
blew if he saw danger; but was for
hidden to use unless in extremity,
when band of soldiers, with shields
and spears, would come at once to
his relief. The handed en-
tered upon his watch in high spirits
of course his sovereign would decide
on him; he was the strongest, bravest,
and oldest of his name. He would
soon be among the grandees of Per
sia. He was too good soldier to
sleep on his post, so one o'clock found
him awake and alert. A noise, a
step-his hand was on his javeiin.
Peace be with thee and rewardr'
exclaimed voice out of the dark
ness, and the son of the Shah, Hafiz,
appeared before the astonished SEN
tinel.
soften have I seen thee in games
of skill and strength, Ramedab," he
continued, seeing the Ready Handed
was too surprised to speak. "But
little did 1 think such honor was in
store for thee Changes are sudden
and great"
"Why seekest thou me, most noble
of the nobles?" inquired the soldier
"My father is stricken with illness.
''What, the Shah?"
Even SO. He may cease to live
at any moment. What then will be-
come of thy promised honors?"
Here a pause ensued, as if Hafz
wished to let his words produce an
effect.
'Better look forward and plant thy
foot on the next step, Ramedab. The
ready are the lucky. A chance il
now thine l am in debt. AS. perhaps
thou hast heard Let me but Obtain
some gold, and thy future greatness
Is secured"
'Betray my trust?" demanded the
other.
Il ask thee not to betray. Dro,
the key. go to the end of the walk:
will only secure a bag of gold, which
will never be missed; or if it shoult
be, who will know that it disappeared
during thy watch? Does not tn.
brother succeed thee here tomorrow
II would be easy for me to promote
thee by degrees, and this I swear
Thou shalt be made Grand Vizie
when 1 succeed my father. Thy ia
ther would rejoice if, instead o
Holder of the Key, thou shoulds
rank as himself-second only to TIN
Shah"
My fatherw shouted the youns
man. Enough! My father woul,
curse me for bartering my honor. 4
thousand times NO! Let the Com
mander Of Slaves live or die, l betra.
not my trust"
In vain the heir to the throne o
Persia tried to recall the hesitatin;
mood of a few minutes before-th'
name of his father bad brought Rame
dab to himself The .tempter left
and Ramedab passed the rest of tn