The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-11-07
An Economical Prince
torIginall

-SarvanIa-which has Disappeared
from the map of Europe, having been
absorbed by the Kingdom Of Prussia.
Its domain consisted OF about rocco
acres, its Inhabitants Of about 1000
people. The prince who governed lived
in palace surrounded by court, pos
sessed an army. indeed was ut the
head OF q miniature monarchy. His
brothers and cousins were his minis.
tiers and chief officers, his female rel.
atives danes OF honor to his princess.
The government was supported by Il
tax on the people which produced in
| our money about $4,000 u year. OF
course 1t was necessary to be very. eco
nomical.
The occupation of the inhabitants OF
Sarvania was growing grapes which
produced sour wine. After awhile
| the soil became barren. and there was
no crop and no income. The people de-.
clnred that since there was nothing to
pay with they should not he taxed. but
the prince argued: "If there is no tax,
! there is no government. That means
anarchy. Anarchy means no more
crops. The people will starve." That
| did not satisfy the mulcOntents. aud
there was II rebellion Three hundred
men armed with scythcs and pitch
forks stormed the palace. They Were
met by the regular army of nifty men
under the gcurr;.l In ch!.t, routed an
their leader was captured.
The possession OF this arch rebel oc-
casioned the prince as much mental
dlsquletude us the capture Of Jefferson
Davis caused President Lincoln. In
the Sarvanla case 1t was simply a mat
ter OF economy. There was no execu-
toner in the principalIty, and to send
for one from distance would be very
expensive Considering that the royal
revenue was cut of. this was not to be
thought Of And yet II the man lived
his keeping would be drain on the
excheQuer. cabinet council was
called to consider what was to be done.
The prince stated the case. 1t would
require an expenditure Of $500 to de-
priye the traitor of the necessity for
food, and It would require 500 year
to feed him. The cabinet decided in
favor of the smaller expense, hoping
that the income to the people and con-
sequently the government might be re-
stored.
A jailer being expensive, the prisoner
was put on bis parole not to leave ut
first his Jail, afterward the Kingdom.
He readily gave the required promise.
since he had no means Of support and
his Jail was a small house hired for his
especial occupation, there being no
other prisoners in the prlncipaltty.
Some makcshifts at fertilizIng the soil
were adopted which were partially
successful, slender crops raised, and at
the end OF five years sufficient sum
of money was saved by the govern
ment TO hire an eXecutioner, But that
year the prince desired to go on n tour
and required all the means he could
scrape together. When he returned, he
received petition from the prisoner,
who stated that he was tired Of life
and desired that the sentence be car
rled out.
Here was an embarrassment. A cab
met council was called. and II was de-
termined to attempt to secure the serv-
ices OF an executioner on credit Eu-
rope was searched for one who would
agree to accept debenture of the
principally, but none was found:
Meanwhile the prisoner was taken III
with a fever and the government was
encouraged BY secret hope that he
would die, Unfortunately he recoV-
cred. The physician who pulled him
through was banished.
! One day while the prince was hunt
ing he became separated from his suit.
His horse, stumbling. threw him. and
his royal hlghness plunged headlong
into a well. man who was fishing In
stream near by heard his calls for
help and. going to the well. leaned over
the wellhouse and asked what was the
matter.
Il am drowning" called a feeble
voice.
The man above let down the bucket
and then aid down the rope Present.
Iy the princes suit came up and hear
ing sounds In the well, went there to
hnd out whence they emanated.
wind up the rope" cried a voice
nom below.
The crank was turned. the work re-
curing several men. and the prince
was brought up in the arms Of
Great heaven-the prisoner!
When the prince. who was more
frightened than hurt. recognized bis
preserver. bis heart beat with a new
hope. Here was good cause for
pardon.
You have saved our royal life." be
said. Ask any boon. and it shall be
granted"
II have only to beg that your high
ness willy free me from an existence
that has long been burden"
The countenance OF the prince fell
and the courtlers made no effort to
conceal their dIspIeasurc. Taking the
prime minister aside. the prince con-
fered with him.