El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-05

ONLY WORN SHEPHERDS VEST WAS FOUND.
| tricts affairs went Ill. The viceroys, or
assistant rulers. were unjust, dishonest
and cruel Who could wonder at this
Their monarch was a weak and wicked
man, debased by every conceivable
vice, an unconscious and willing slave
to the fiattery Of his viceroys.
But It, CHANGED that the king died, q
victim to his own wicked indulgences.
To the throne now came "a king more
wise" He searched for men to aid
him in ruling who should be brave and
Just. The mountain shepherds fame
had reached his ears For Dara he
sent and to him gave n satrapy, or
province. in trust to rule
This unexpected elevation did not
make Dara conceited- He took no
more pride in his viceroy's scepter than
in his shepherds crook which he held
in earlier days. Envy, however. soon
pursued Dara and found more listeners
in cities than in hillside villages.
At stated times Persia's monarch
sent out demand for tax. or revenue,
to every province. This revenue was
not paid wholly In money, but partly
with gold and gems.
So greatly had Dara's province grown
in wealth and honor that Immediately
upon receipt of the tax edict the treas
ures were collected and sent to the
kings exchequer. The advance and
wealth of the province pleased the
king. but displeased others who hated
to see Dara so successful. Soon it was
whispered to the king that he had been
greatly deceived in believing Dara to
be honest Enemies accused the vice
roy of keeping from the kings taxes
some gems more rare than all the rest
for his own private store.
For proof they stated that no matter
where the viceroy went a camel follow
ed bearing a heavy chest Closely
guarded were beast and burden by
archers armed with bows and arrows
directed to shoot any one who came too
near. No one save Dara knew it's con-
tents. At times the chest was carried
into his tent, where. secure from OBJ
servation, he removed the precious
gems from their hiding place. Then
all the tent glowed and glistened with
teweled light.
The king was vexed. With n retinue
among which were Dara's accusers he
Immediately set out for Dara's prov
ince to investigate.
The viceroy heard of his monarch's
approach and. as was fit, with stately
train met him ut the city's gate. And
there in the midst of the procession
was seen, as had been told, a camel
circled round by archers-
The monarch was furious. To his
mind there was no doubt of Dara's
guilt.
"Open me now" he cried, lyon treas
ure chest" Twas done, and only a
worn shepherds vest was found.
The defamers flushed and hung their
heads.
Not Dara. Open IS the sky blue
roof he stood.
"Oh, my lord, behold that 1 was
worthy Of thy trust" he said. ITO rule
wisely / had first to be master of my
self. Fortunes gifts are hard to wise
~ bear. They often bend men from the
truth and make them stagger from the
pressing hard and / was tempted to
yield some point of honor. l ordered
this chest to be borne into my tent.
Alone took from 1t that vest. At its
sight my mind was taken to the days
when. though but a humble sheep tend
er. was honest and trustworthy. As
my better self struggled for victory
this mute witness helped me to be lord
of simple Dara still. With this in view
cannot lose the road of right"
The king felt deeply rebuked for his
distrust. Tears thrilled his eyelids.-
Bessie Clements In Chicago Record.