Year: 1865

There was once Q wise emperor, who
made . Law that to every stranger who
came to his court . fried fsh should be
served. The servants were directed to
take notice, IL when the stranger had
eaten the fish to the bone on one side, be
turned it over and begun on the other
II be did, be was to be Immediately seiz'
cd. and on the third day thereafter be
was to be put to death. But, by great
stretch of imperial clemency, the culprit
was permitted to utter Wish each day,
which the emperor pledged himself to
grant, provided it was not to spare his
life. Many had already perished in con-
sequence of this edict when one day .
count and his son presented themselves
at court. The fish was served, ss usual,
and when the count had removed ell the
fish from one side, be turned it over, and
was about to commence on the other,
when he was suddenly seized and thrown
into prison, and was told Of bis approach
J ing doom. Sorrow stricken, the counts
young son besOught the emperor to allow
him to die in place Of bis father-a favor
which the monarch was pleased to accord
him. The count was accOrdly released
from prison, and his son WAS thrown into
his cell in his stead. As soon ss this had
been done, the young man said to his
goaler-" You know have the right to
make three demands before die 60 and
tell the emperor to send me his daughter.
and priest to marry u.s." The irst de-
mand was not much to the eTnperor's
taste, nevertheless he felt bound to keep
his word, and he therefore complied with
the request, to which the princess had no
kind OF objection. This occurred in times
when kings kept their treasures in cave,
or in a tower set apart for the purpose
and on the second day Of his imprisOn'
ment the young man demanded the kings
treasures. II his Hrst demand was bold
one, the second was not less SO; still ar
emperor's word IL sacred, and, having
made the promise he was forced TO keeE
it; and the treasures oil gold and silvel
and jewels were placed at the prisoner
disposal. On getting possession Of then
he distributed them profusely among th'
courtiers, and soon he made host o
friends by his liberality.


The emperor began now to feel exceed
ingly uncomfortable. Unable 10 sleep, h
rose early on the third morning and went
with fear in his heart, to the prison L
hear what the third wish was to be.
Now" said he 10 the prisoner, tie
me what your third demand is, that i
may be granted at once, and you may b
hung out of hand, for am tired OF you
demands"


"Sire." answered the prisoner, hav
but one more favor to request OF you
majesty, W hich, when you have granted,
shall die content. 1t is merely that yo
will cause the eyes Of those who saw m
father turn the fish over, to be put out.
"Very good" replied the emperor
''your demand iS but natural, and spring
from a good heart. Let the chamberlain
; be seized" he continued, turning to hi
guards. -. -,


Il, sire!" cried the chamberlain "l
did not see anything-it was the stew
ard"


LET the steward be seized, then" "
said the king.


But the steward protested with tears il
his eyes that he had not witnessed any
thing of what had been reported and Said
it was the butler. The butler declared hC
had seen nothing Of the matter, and thai
it must have been one Of the Wallets
But they protested that they were utterly
ignorant Of what had been charged against
the count in short, it turned out that no.
body could be found who had seen the
count commit the offence, upon which
the princess said:


IL appeal to you, my father, as to an
other Solomon. If nobody saw the offence
committed, the count cannot be guilty
and thy husband is innocent"


The emperor frowned, and forthwith
the courtiers began to murmur, and then
he smiled, and Immediately after their
visages became radient.


"Let it be So" said his majesty, "let
him live, though have put many man
to death for lighter offence than his
But if he is not hung, he is married.
Justice has been DONE"