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

Inc thieves promised obedience 70 his
commands and departed. Ahmed then
fell on his knees, and returned thanks to
God for this signal mark of his favor.
About two hours after the royal guards
came, and desired Ahmed to follow them.
He said that he would attend them as
soon as he had taken leave of his wife. to
whom he determined not TO impart what
had occurred until he saw the result He
babe her farewell very afiectOnately;
she supported herself with great forth
tude on this trying occasion, exhorting
her husband to be of good cheer, and
said few words about the goodness of
Providence. But the fact was, Sittara
fanced that If God took the worthy cob
bier to himself, her beauty might attract
some rich lover, who would enable her
to go to the Herman with as much
splendor as the astrologer's lady, whose
Image, adorned with Jewels and fine
clothes, and surrounded by slaves, still
haunted her Imagination.
The DEGREES of Heaven are Just: re-
ward suited to their merits awaited
Ahmed and his wife. The good man
stood with a cheerful countenance before
the king, who was impatient for his ar
rival, and Immediately said, "Ahmed,
thy looks are promising; hast thou dis
covered my treasurer"
"Does your Majesty require the thieves
or the treasure? The stars will only
grant one or the other" said Ahmed,
looking at his table of astrological cal
culations. "Your Majesty must make
your choice. can deliver up either, but
not both
81 should be sorry not to punish the
thieves" answered the king; "but if it
must be So | choose the treasure
And you give the thieves a full and
free pardon?''
81 do, provided find my treasure I'M
touched"
Then said Ahmed, "if your majesty
will follow me, the treasure shall be re-
stored to- you
The king and all his mobiles followed
the cobbler to the ruins of the old Hem
nam. There, casting his eyes towards
heaven, Ahmed muttered some sounds
which were supposed by the spectators
to be magical COMPUTATIONS. but which
were in reality the prayers and thanks
givings of sincere and piOus heart to
God for his wonderful delverance. When
his prayer was finished, he pointed to
the southern wall, and requested that
his majesty would order his attendants
to dig there. The work was hardly be-
gun, when the whole forty chests were
found in the same state as when stolen,
, with the treasurer's seal upon them still
unbrOken.
The kings Joy knew no bounds; he
| embraced Ahmed, and Immediately APP
, pointed him his chief astrooger, assigned
to him an apartment in the palace, and
: declared that he should marry his only
, daughter, as it was his duty to promote
the man whom God had so singulary
favoured, and had made instrumental in
, restoring the treasures of his kingdom.
The young princess, who was more
= beautiful than the moon, was not dissats-
, fled with her fathers choice for her
, mind was stored with religion and virtue,
, and she had learnt to value beyond all
earthly qualities that piety and learning
f which she believed Ahmed to possess
The royal will was carried into execu-
| ton as soon as formed. The wheel of
+ fortune had taken complete turn. The
morning had found Ahmed in a wretched
p hovel, rising from a sorry bed. in the ex-
= pectation of losing his life; in the even
"a ing he was the lord of rich palace. and
| married to the only daughter of a pow
n erful king. But this change did not
! alter his character. As he had been
. meek and humble in adversely, he was
/ modest aud gentle in prosperity. Con-
: scious of his own ignorance, he contin-
p ued to ascribe his good fortune solely 10
the favour of Providence. He became
: daily more attached to the beautiful and
: virtuous princess whom he had married
and he could not help contrasting her
character with that of his former wife
= whom he had ceased TO love, and of
p whose unreasonable and unfeelIng vanity
, he was now fully sensible.-Folk-Io Lore
: and Legends.