The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-29
PERSIAN TALES.
A King Can Always Find Way Out
of Any Difficulty.

One day. as His Royal Highness was
wandering about the city in disguise.
he heard much talk of a famine in the
land. and upon reaching his palace he
pressed the button and summoned Alb
dullah. his prime minister, and said:
What is all this talk about famine
in the land2 1 have heard nothing of il
before today.
..All the crops have failed and thou
sands Of your subjects are facing star
Vatio..-"
.But why was I not informed of the
fact long go, that l might issue proc
lamation commanding fun crops to
zroW2"
Alas. your Majesty ! was so busy
that it slipped my mind
HIM. So there is famine?" NUT
tered the King.
.It is true"
And unless ! come to the rescue OF
my people thousands may starVe 30
1T viii be so, o Ruler, but alasl what
can you dOe"
What can do. YOU old siab-sided
scuint-eyed crOakeri can issue
prOclama ton Of course You grab up
that nen and dash it off at once. Say
that the king has learned that all crops
have failed and q famine is imminent
and that his sympathies are deeply
stirred on behalf of his people
Ills done. King" said -Abdulla5l
as he finished.
Then follow it by a second. We have
announced that our symDathies are
with our subjects, but at the same time
We DON'T want our subjects to lose sight
of the main question a issue. You VIII
therefore sag that the tax levy viii be
the same as usual. and that prompt
payment viii be expected from all.
There-the matter is now off my mind
and the country is going ahead towards
renewed prosperity
Having summoned the Royal Treas
1f. Ii
King took his arm and-walked with him
into the garden and said
Murphy. the people are complaining
of f1sh taxes. 7 hear
There are many complaints, 0, sire
They say I am recklessly extrava-
giant with the public funds
Tt is so said, your Majesty.
Il am charged with exciting useless
wars. am ! not2"
ut seems to me have heard So
In fact my people are ready to rebel
against me for cause. and if I cannot
make satisfactory explanations 7 may
be dethroned. That's about the situa-
ton. take it,"
Something like that. O. Ruler. but
let us hope it will not go as far as that
II don't mean to let it. said the King.
Murphy. you understand, don't YOU,
that a King can do no wrong
Fl have so read. your Majesty"
Its always some one else who IS to
blame you understand"
IL think so"
In this case. for instance AS soon
as nv people are informed that you
/ advised all these extravagances shall
+ be acquitted of all blame"
And the people viii howl for my life,
( o. Ruler walled Murphy.
That's where the joke will come in.
Old man. They Will howl in vain, be-
cause you viii be dead. Kindly step
INTO that brick building down there and
ask my eXecuuOner to make you
head shorter, and not bungle the job
Goodby, Murphy. Sorry to part with
YOU but I've got to hang to my job and
satisfy the people
The King had asked for boiled eggs
Tor MS breakfast. and as none were
Forthcoming he threw his robe of state
/ around him and stalked into the room
or his Prime Minister and Numbered
out:
BY the great hornspoon. MustaDha
Muchohand. but who is King of this
country. if YOU please2"
You are, O. Ruler was the reply
months ago I ordered you to make war
on Abdul Sizar. Why haven't you done
So"
Because we have no cash to fit out
an army, your Majesty. I was going
TO sneak to lou about it today"
NO cash in our treasury What has
become Of it2"
You have spent most of it in build
ing gof-links and backing baseball
S'death, I cannot believe it. Weeks
and weeks ago I issued a royal procIa-
nation commanding the rebel leader,