The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-01-15
A Folklore story.

There was a man whose name was
"All is for the Best" because it was
his custom to praise God for whatever
he received at His hands. Come good,
or ill, he would be content and say,
"All is for the best!" Once he was
the bearer of a gift to the king, in be-
half of the community wherein he
dwelt-a casket containing rare pre-
coius stones. He journeyed through
the woods, and when night fell he lay
down and was soon asleep.
Now. he had been followed during
all that day by@pbbers, though ne was
not aware of it, and as soon as they
were certai nthat he slept they opened
the casket, took the treasure it con-
tanned to themselves and filed it up
with dust. The pious messenger
awoke in the morning and opened the
box to see if its contents were safe.
Finding nothing but dust therein, he
said, God be praised; this, too, is
for the best"
Not at all disturbed by his startling
discovery, he continued on his way
and, arriving at the palace, presented
the casket to the king. The monarch
opened it, and when he saw that IT
was filed with dust he grew very
angry and exclaimed, us this q Jest,
or do the wretched Jews who sent you
wish to scott at me?"
AT this critical juncture Elijah, the
Prophet, who always appears when
his help is needed most, came forward
in disguise and said, BE not so hasty,
to judge, 0 king, and know that the
box containeth treasure whose worth
is beyond computation. The dust thou
,despisest is from the grave OF Abra-,
ham, our Father, and it's virtue may
be tested. If it is scattered on the
ground it will change into swords and
arrows, which are much needed in thy
kingdom"
The king threw some dust on the
ground and behold! 1t was changed
into weapons of warfare, as the Pro-
phet had declared. He was so pleased
with this miracle that he caused the
bearer of the casketl to DE laden with
rich gifts, the empty box to be reflled
with precious stones, and the messen-
ger was escorted beyond the city
gates with much pomp and ceremony,
assured of the favor of the king for
himself and his people.
He started again for home, and to-
ward evening arrived at the place
where he had been robbed. The
thieves were all there in disguise, and
eagerly asked him whence he obtain
ed the casket full of precious stones
From the king" replied the trustyi
messenger. "He was SO pleased with
the dust brought him that he show
cred all sorts of things upon me-" At
this the robbers opened their eyes
wide, and after he had departed,
made all haste to gather large guam
tity of dust. This they put into cart
and brought it to the king, saying:
''We greet thee, o king, and ask thee
to accept this modest gift from us.
This is the same dust of which the Jew
brought only meagre specimen"
The king, wishing to test it's wonder
full power, scattered some about him,
but no such transformation took
place. In terrible wrath the king
cried out: "Ye miserable slaves, do
We wish to mock me? Away with
them, and let them die at once" The
thieves were led away, according to-
the commands Of the king, and exc
cuted. The pious- messenger, hearing
of their punishment, mumured "This,
too, is for the best"-Rev. G. A. Ko-
hut, i'll Sunday School Times.