Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-03-29

The CobbIer AstroIoger.
In the great city of Isfahan lived
Ahmed the cobbler, an honest and indus
triOls man, whose wish was to pass
through life quietly; and he might have
done so, had be not married handsome
wife, who, although she had condecended
to accept of him as a husband, was far
from being contented with his humble
sphere of life.
Sttara, such was the name of Ahmed's
wife, was ever forming foolish schemes
of riches and grandeur; and though
Ahmed never encouraged them, he was
too fond a hus band to quarrel with what
gave her pleasure. An incredulous smile
or a shake of the head was his only
answer to her often-told day
and she continued to persuade herself
that she was certainly destined to great
fortune.
1t happened one evening, while in this
temper of mind, that she went to the
Hermann. where she saw lady retiring
dressed in magnificent robe, covered
with Jewels, and surrounded by slaves.
This was the very condition Sittara had
always longed for, and she eagerly in
CURED the name of the happy person
who had so many attendants and such
| fine Jewels. She learned it was the wife
of the chief astrologer to the king. With
this information she returned home. Her
husband met her at the door, but was
received with frown, nor could all his
caresses obtain a smile or word; for
several hours she continued silent, and
in apparent misery. At length she said
cease your caresses, unless you are
ready to give ne proof that you do
really and sincerely love me-"
"What proof of love- exclaimed poor
Ahmed. ''can you desire which | Will not
give:'
GIVE over cobbling; it is a vile, low
trade, and never yields more than ten or
twelve dinars day. Turn astrooger
your fortune will be made, and | shall
have all | wish, and be happy"
"Astrologer cried Ahmed, -"Astrol-
oyer, Have you forgotten who am
a cobbler, without any learning-that
you want me to engage in a profession
which requires so much skill and knowl-
edge"
IL neither think nor care about your
qualifications, said the enraged wife
"all know is, that if you do not turn
astrolOger Immediately | will be divorced
from you tomorrow"
The cObber demonstrated, but in vain.
The figure of the astrologer's WIFE with
her Jewels and her slaves, had taken COM
plete possession of Sittara's Imagination.
All night it haunted her; she dreamt of
nothing else, and on awaking declared
She would leave the house if her husband
did not comply with her wishes. What
could poor Ahmed do: He was no asst oil
oyer, but he was dotingly fond of his
wife, and he could not bear the idea of
losing her. He promised to obey, and,
having sold his little stock, bought an
astrolabe, an astronomical almanac, and
a table of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Furnished with these he went to the
market place. crying, IL am an astrol-
oyer know the sun, and the moon.
and the staIs, and the twelve signs of the
zodiac; can calculate hativities; | can
fortell everything that is to happen"
No man was better known than Ahmed
thS NOcbItI' ~ CIOMu SOON Rdlnereu
around him. "What, friend Admed. .
said one, "have you worked till your
head is turned?" Are you tired of
looking down at your last" cried an
other, "that you are now looking up at
the planets?" These and thousand
other Jokes assailed the ears of the poor
cobbler, who, Notwithstanding, con
tinued to eXclaim that he was an astrol.
oyer, having resolved on doing what he
could to please his beautiful wife.
1t so happened that the kings ieweller
was passing by. He was in great dis.
tress, having lost the richest ruby be-
; longing to the crown. Every search had
been made to recover this inestimable
Jewel, but to no purpose; and as the
ieweler knew he could no longer conceal
ITS loss from the king, he looked forward
to death as inevitable. In this HOPELESS
state, while wandering about the town.
} he reached the crowd around Ahmed and
asked what was the matter. "Don't you
know Ahmed the cobbler?' said one of
the bystsnders, laughing; she has been
inspired, and is become an astrologer."