The Washington herald., 1911-05-14

III educated with the greatest care
When his education was almost fin
ished, one day the father said u
him: MY son, know this; that amongst ths
many wants Of life the greatest is that Of Z
sincere friend. Spendthnft habits quickly
diminish our riches, midortunes crush ~ q
first II we do not look to the AI.Powerful.
but death alone can deprive one Of q true
friend. This ID the only happiness which ns
human power can withdraw. Find one true
and sincere friend in the whole course Of your
life. and you win have found the best Of an
blessings. ] wish you, my son, to see the
world; travels give true experience; the more
people one sees the better one knows how to
live amongst them. The world il q book
which teaches all who know how to read Il.
My son, receive my blessing before you de-
part, and in your travels try to gain one real
Erien2"
The son took leave of his father. Travelled
TO- distant country, but soon returned.
Il did not expect you back 90 soon, my son. |"
said the father, astonished at his speedy ~
turn. s.
You wished me-" answered the son, "to
60 in search Of friend. l have brought
you back fifty, who are all models Of true
friendship"
my son." replied the merchant. do NOT
give them this sacred title thus thoughtlessly.
Have you forgotten what the Persian poet
said: DO not praise friend until you have
proved him? 1t is rare to find one. Many
will pretend to be friends; but they act
tawards their friends as the drunkard does
towards bottle Of wine-cmbracing it ten
derly whilst there is anything in it, but cast
ing it away directly they have got all out Of
it that they can. Think carefully, my son.
and see il those friends with whom you are
so content not like those Of whom have
just told YOU"
"Oh. father" replied the son. ''your sus-
picions are unjust All those Of whom
have spoken would be as sincere friends to me
ii ] fell into adversity as they are now"
Il have already lived sixty years." the mer.
chant answered, "and have proved how con-
trsry fortune it. ! have known and tried
many men. and hardly in that long course Of
years can safely say have found one true
friend. How, then, can you, in your youth,
have found fifty! Learn from me to know
men,"
The merchant then took sheep. killed IL
put il in a sack, smeared his sons clothes
with some Of its blood. and having arranged
everything waited for night to come. Wher
his sons shoulders. and having INSTRUCTED
him what to do, he went out with him. .
The youth knocked at the door of one q
his fifty friends, who came hurriedly to ope!
it. to see what he wanted. "ln disgrace,
said the merchants SON, "one can prove tn
sincerity Of ones friends. You have Otter
het rd me speak of an eumity that existeC
between my. family and courtier. It hap
peDed that l met him in a lonely place. w,
came to words, then blows, and ! struck hin
blow which killed him. Fearing to be pur
sued by justice, took the body and put i
irto this sack. which you see on my shoulders
!, come new to beg you to keep the corps,
bidder hidden in your house until the affair ha
MY house is so very small" answered th,
friend, that il can really hardly hold thos,
who are alive in it. How. then. can ] 6nt
room for dead body!. Every one know
ceurtier. You will coon be accused Of Ii,
murder, and il our friendship 10 madasknowr
they will begin TO search my house; and ther
l should not be able to hide you from dis
grace grace saa cannot. @ do You any better servic'
The youth prayed and entreatcd afresb. bu
his friend was deaf TO his prayers; and Al
last, seeing that he could do no good by re
manning there. he went round TO all the othel
refusals.
."You see at last, my son." said the mcr
chant, "how little reliance you can place or
men. Nnere is now the fervor OF those whom
you praised and adnirei?. All have abandon
these are Ike painted walls, clouds without
rain, trees which bear no fruit. Now in.
tend to show you the difference between the
one friend ] possess and the fifty whom you
thought YOU possessed.
Thus talking they walked towards the house
OF the man who had been represented to the
youth as a moael Of perfect friendship.
They told their tale, and the man exclaimed
erful has given me the opportunity OF proving
my affection for you! You had faith in me,
and did me justice. My house is so large
that 1t could hide a hundred corpscs, not
in some peril by hiding the body will will.
ingly risk any peril for your sake. Go with
your son to my country-house. There you
can live quietly and secure from all inquiries
OF the law"
The merchant thanked his friend, and then
told him that all they had said was only a
tale, invented to show his son the difference
between real and pretended friendships.