The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-03-20
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 robbers, though he wa,
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 it's 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, as this a 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
Nd |
in disguise and said, BE not so hasty,
to judge, o 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 its 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! it 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 casket to be 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 ,
hleves were all there in disguise, and
eagerly asked him whence he obtain 8
ID the casket full of precious stones. 4
From the king" replied the trusty
Messenger. He was so pleased with
he dust l brought him that he show
red all sorts of things upon me-" At
MS the robbers opened their eyes
VIDE, and after he had departed, n
made all haste to gather a large GUAM G
Ity OF dust. This they put into cart
nd brought it to the king, saying: "
We greet thee o king, and ask thee k
D accept this modest gift from us. D
his is the same dust of which the Jew b,
rought only a meagre specimen"
ne king, wishing to test it's wonder to
IL power, scattered some about him, re
Ut no such transformation took W
lace. In terrible wrath the king al
led out: "Ye miserable slaves, do "
wish to mock me? Away with
lem, and let them die at once" The
ieves were led away, according to VI
e commands of the king, and exc. va
tied. The pious messenger, hearing
their punishment, mumured. This, CT
o, is for the best!'-Rev. G. 4. En- w
1t, i'll Sunday School Times so