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

|
he went up to Ahmed, told him what had
happened, and said, "If you understand
your art, you must be able to discover
the kings ruby. Do so, and | will give
you two hundred pieces of gold. But If
you do not succeed within six hours,
will use all my influence at court TO have
you put to death as an impostor."
Poor Ahmed was thunderstruck. lie
stood long without being able to move or
speak, re flectng on his misfortupes, and
grieving, above all, that his wife, whom
he so loved. had, by her envy and selfish
ness, brought him to such fearful alter.
native. Full of these sad thoughts, he
exclaimed aloud, 40 woman, woman
thou art more bareful to the happiness
of man than the poisonous dragon of the
desert"
The lost ruby had been secreted by the
jewellers wife, who, disquieted hv those
alarms which ever attend guilt. sent one
OF her female slaves to watch her hus-
band. This slave on seeing her master
speak to the astrologer, drew near: and
when she heard Ahmed, after some mo-
ments of apparent abstraction. compare
a women to "A poisonous dragon, she was
satisfied that he must know everything.
She ran to her mistress, and, brcatbless
with fear, cried "You are discovered,
my dear mistress, you are discovered by
a vile astrolOger. Before six hours are
past the whole story will be known, and
you will become infamous, if YOU are
even so fortunate as to escape with life
unless you can find some way of prevail
ing on him to be merciful." She then
related what she had seen and heard 4;
and Ahmed's exclamation carried as
complete conviction to the mind of the
terrified mistress as it had done to that
of her slave.
The jewellers wife, hastily throwing
on her veil, went in search of the dreaded
astrologer. When she found him, she
threw herself at his feet, crying, "Spare
my honor and my life, and will confess
everything"'
"What can you have to confess to
me?' exclaimed Ahmed In amazement.
sob, nothing. nothing with which
you are not already acquainted. You
know too well that stole the ruby from
the kings crown. did 50 to punish my
usband, who uses me most cruelty; and
| though by this means to obtain riches
for myself, and to have him put to death.
But you. most wonderful man, from
whom nothing is hidden, have discovered
and defeated my wicked plan. | beg
only for mercy, and will do whatever
you command me-
An angel from heaven could not have
brought more consolation to Ahmed than
did the jewellers wife. He assumed all
the dignified solemnity that became his
new character, and said, "Woman,
know all thou hast done, and it is fortu.
nate for thee that thou hast come to con.
fess thy sin and beg mercy before it was
too late. Return to thy house, put the
d ruby under the pillow of the couch on
which thy husband sleeps; let it be laid
on the side furthest from the door; and
be satisfied thy guilt shall never be even
suspected"
The jewellers wife returned home, aud
did as she was desired In an houI All
med followed her, and told the jewellel
he had made his calculations, and found
by the aspect, of the sun and the moon
: and by the cOnfiguration of the stars
that the ruby was at that moment lying
: under the pillow of his couch, on the
. side furthest from the door The level
Ter thought Ahmed crazy; but,as a ray
of hope is like "A ray from heaven to the
wretched, he ran TO his couch, and there
[ to his JOY and wonder, found the ruby il
the very place described. He came bacl
: to Ahmed, embracedshim, called him hi,
dearest friend and the preserver of hi,
life, and gave him the two hundred
pieces of gold, declaring that he was the
first astrOlOger of the age.
These praises conveyed no Joy to tho
poor cObbler, who returned home more
: thankful to God for his pres ervatOn thar
elated by his good fortune. The mo
ment he entered the door his wife ran NJ
] to him and exclaimed, "Well, my deal
astrologer. what success
There" said Ahmed, very gravely,-
"there are two hunered pieces of gold
| hope you will be satisfied now, and no
ask me again to hazard my life, as have
I done this morning" lie then related al
that had passed. But the recital made
very different impression on the lady
from what these occurrences had made OF
Ahmed. Sittara saw nothing but the
gold, which would enable her TO vie will
= the chief astrologer's wife at the Hem
e nam. Courage" she said, courage
my dearest husband. THIS is only you,
r new and noble profession. Go on anC
= prosper, and we shall become rich anC
: happy"
In vain Ahmed demonstrated and rep
resented the danger she burst into
tears, and accused him of not loving her
| ending with her usual threat of insisting
upon divorce.
Ahmeds heart melted, and he agreed
, to make another trial. Accordingly
l next morning he sailed forth with his
astrolabe, his twelve signs of the zodiac
and eXclaiming, as before, ~ am an as
trologer. know the sun, and the moon
and the stars, and the twelve signs of the
zodiac. oop naloulota natiuitioe. 1 oo d,