New-York tribune., 1909-04-04
By d. E. S. Fields

monarch. yawnIng
Yes Prince. said Ahmed.
"' Well, thou Canst 60 away, the barber was
right
The ass driver was beginning To doubt him
self now. The veil Of Justice and hight OF the
Empire had condemned him also Could It be
that he was really wrong Had he been
cheated by his own simplicity. and had the
barber been more clever than dishonest,
SUCH were the reflections Of the unhappy
- fellow as he withdrew from the presence OF
the Prince But what would his wife say. who
was waiting for him IN the next village Surely
She would beat him And he lamented, wept.
in corner OF the steps leading to the palace
lust then a begg4r happened 10 pass that
way. On his head he had green turban as a
mark of holiness. his long white beard which
fell on his chest from pale and sweet face IN
dicated his responsibility. and his eyes and
manners gave one confidence lie drew near
the man. leaning on "a knotted staff. and squat
ting before him, asked gently.
"A misfortune has entered thy house, my
brother. Wilt thou trust me- l am Moham-
med-cl-HaIi
Then the donkey driver lifted up his head
and again repeated his story. he wePt. and
finally was near doubling divine justice after
having been denied t.c human
&C. oh. my brother, what vert thou going %
sav'' interrupted the old man. coming nearer
Go back again and see the barber. for he was
right unhappily. but listen to me.
And in a whisper he gave HIM good piece
Of advice
Suddenly the face Of the man frightened
He rose with haste, thanked the begsar
warmly. emptied almost ms purse IN his aims
box, embraced him. and returned to the town
Soon ne arrived before the public writer. who
exclaimed. aS soon rs he saw him
'Holloa. old man. Hast thou obtained
Justice,
Alas" answered the ass driver. Justice Is
l.. 0rlI he
cts precepts are rarely followed. But keep
my ass for little while | am gong to the
marketplaCe and VIII soon come back
HE soon was agaIn before the BARRIERS house
II The man was leaning against his door. and
when he saw his victim he began laughing
"' Well thought Ahmed, those laugh best
who laugh last. | wait my turnE
" Here thou art said the barber Thou
lookeSt quite happy
'' Indeed am. answered Ahmed checrtullv-
/ have Just met relative OF mine who Is going
to get married this very dav, and my friend
and | are going to take HIM To- his handsome
bride. But tell me-thou hast Just reputa-
tion in thy profession. and | would like that
thou shouldSt shave us. my friend and me. We
must be worthy t. he present at the festival
How much wilt thou charge t. shave us both
You are not among my customers. SAID
the barber. neither thou that | know. nor thy
friend that do not know However, IN com
pCllStIi'l loI tllc bl bstIStlll caused Iltc,
am willing to shave YOU both for a small silver
piece. though you viii certainly notch my
razorS.
"A small silver piece. 1t Is a great deal for
my friend and me-. observed Ahmed but S1
be it, 1t IS settled And he paid the price re-
quIred before numerous witnesses among idle
people who had gathered around them Then
he left the place.
4 short time afterward he came back pulling
his donkey. which looked as sad Is its
master was joyful, and, stopping before the
barber, he exclaimed
go Eh, FL Farsi. celebrated barber time
passesi Hurry to thy work. We are waiting
to be shaved
And thy friend'' inquired the barber.
'' Forsooth' here he is, my friend, my best
friend, and he drew his donkey nearer TO him.
3" How is that. old ruffian2 Thou wouldSt
ike to have thy donkey shaved by me-,
That is Just what | say. good man. Hast
thou not promised to shave us both my friend
and me- Well, as thou saidSt in another cir
cumStance, II IS a settled bargain regular
bargain, as said the kadI after YOU.
They went TO see the Judge again IN great
pomp; for all the people of the town followed
the two parties but the judge could not say
word, he laughed SO much.
To say nothing IS not judgment and the
barber refused to comply with the request
So they went before the Chief of the Believers.
Then. barber. it has been arranged that
thou wouldSt shave the ass driver and his
friend for a small silver piece said the illus
trious monarch. Then the ass driver IS right,
and thou art going 10 comply with the con-
ditionS of the bargain right here before mel
He was forced to obey. From the topOf the
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