Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-02-10
The Folly of castIe-Building.

AlnaScnar, says Inc faole, was very
idle fellow, who never would set his
hand TO any business during his fathers
life His father, dying, left to him the
value OF hundred drachmas in Persian
money. Alnaschar, in order TO make the
best OF it, laid il out in glasses, bottles,
and the finest eathenware. These he
piled up in large open basket, and hav-
ing made choice of very little shop,
placed the basket at his feet, and leaned
his back upon the wall, in expectation OF
customers. As he sat in this posture,
with his eyes upon the basket, he fell into
a most amusing tram of thought, and was
overheard by one OF his neighbors, as he
talked to himself. This basket" says
he, "cost me at the wholesale merchants
a hundred drachmas, which is all have
in the world.
al shall quickly make two hundred out
OF il by selling il in retail. These two
hundred drachnlas will in a little while
rise TO four hundred, which OF course will
in time amount to four thousand. As
soon as by this means | am master Of ten
thousand, will lay aside my trade OF
glass-man and turn jeweler. shall then
deal in diamonds, pearls, and all sorts OF
rich stones. When have gotten togeth-
er as much wealth as can well desire,
will make purchase OF the finest house
| can find. shall then begin TO enjoy
myself and make noise in the world. !
will not, however, stop there, but still
continue my traffic, till have got togeth-
er hundred thousand drachmas.
"When have thus made myself mas
ter of hundred thousand drachmaS, !
shall naturally set myself on the footing
OF prince, and will demand the Grand
Vizier's daughter in marriage, afterhaving
represented to that minister the informa-
ton which have received OF the beauty,
wit. discretion, and other high qualities
which his daughter possesses. will let
him know at the same time that it is my
intention to make him a present Of a
thousand pieces OF gold on our marriage
night. AS soon as | have married the
Grand Vizier's daughter, ! will make my
ther-in-law visit with a grand train
and equipage; and when am placed at
his right hand - where ! shall be. OF
course, il II be only 10 honor his daugh-
fer will give him the thousand pieces
OF gold which promised him, and after
ward, TO his great surprise, will present
him with another purse Of the same val
ue, with some short speech, as, Sir,
you see am man ofmy word; always
give more than promise.
"When have brought the princess to
my house, shall take particular care to
keep her in due respect for me. To
this end, shall confine her to her own
apartment, make her a short visit, and
talk but little to her Her women will
lGDlGSGlll W llldl olN 10 liNOhocloSiN
by reason of my unkindnesS, and beg me
with tears to caresS her, and let her SIT
down by me but shall still remain in
exorabIe, and she will fling herself at my
feet and beg of me to receive her into my
favor Then will |, to imprint in her
thorough veneration for my person, draw
up my legs and spum her from me with
my foot, in such manner that she shall
fall down several PAGES from the sofa"
Alnaschar was entirely swallowed up
in this chimerical vision, and could not
forbear acting with his foot what he had
in his thoughts So that, unluckily strik-
ing his basket Of brittle ware, which was
the foundation Of all his grandeur, he
kicked his glasses 10 great distance into
the street, and broke them into ten thous-
and pieces.