THE UNGRATEFUL MAN. VITALIS, anoble Venetian, one day, at a hunting party, fell into a pit, which had been dug to catch wild animals. He passed a whole night and day there, and I will leave you to imagine his dread and his agony. The pit was dark. Vitalis ran from the one side of it to the other, in the hope of finding some branch or root by which he might climb its sides, and get out of his dungeon; but he heard such confused and extraordinary noises, growlings, hissings, and plaintive cries, that he became half dead with terror, and crouched in a corner motionless, awaiting death with the most horrid dismay. On the morning of the second day he heard some one passing near the pit, and then raising his voice, he cried out with the most dolorous accent, "Help, help! draw me out of this; I am perishing!" A peasant crossing the forest heard his try. At first he was frightened; but after a moment or two, taking courage, he approached the pit, and asked who had called. "A poor huntsman," answered Vitalis, "who has passed a long night and day here. Help me out for the love of God. Help me out, and I will recompense you handsomely." "I will do what I can," replied the peasant. Then Massaccio (such was the name of the peasant) took a hedgebill which hung at his girdle, and cut a branch of a tree strong enough to bear a man,-"Listen, huntsman," said he, "to what I am going to say to you. I will let down this branch into the pit. I will fasten it against the sides, and hold it with my hands; and by pulling yourself out by it, you may get free from your prison." "Good," answered Vitalis; "ask me anything you will, and it shall be granted." "I ask for nothing," said the peasant, "but I am going to be married, and you may give what you like to my bride." So saying Massaccio let down the branch-he soon felt it heavy, and the moment after a monkey leapt merrily out of the pit. He had fallen like Vitalis, and had seized quickly on the branch of Massaccio. "It was the devil surely which spoke to me from the pit," said Massaccio, running away in affright. "Do you abandon me, then ?" cried Vitalis, in a lamentable accent; "my friend, my dear friend, for the love of the Lord, for the love of your mistress, draw me out of this; I beg, I implore you; I will give her wedding gifts-I will enrich you. I am the Lord Vitalis, a rich Venetian; do not let me die of hunger in this horrible pit. Massaccio was touched by these prayers. He returned to the pit -let down another branch, and a lion jumped out, making the woods echo with a roar of delight. "Oh! certainly, certainly, it was the devil I heard," said Massaccio, and fled away again; but stopping short, after a few paces, he heard again the pie rcing cries of Vitalis. Will no "O God! O God!" cried he, "to die of hunger in a pit. one then come to my help? Whoever you may be, I implore you to return; let me not die, when you can save me. I will give you a PRICE ONE PENNY. house and field, and cows and gold-all that you can ask for; save me-only save me." uttered. the branch, and a serpent, hissing joyously, sprang out of the pit. Massaccio, thus implored, could not help returning. He let down Massaccio fell on his knees, half dead with fear, and repeated all the prayers he could think of to drive away the demon. He was only brought to himself by hearing the cries of despair which Vitalis "Will no one help me ?" said he. Ah! then, must I die? O God, O God!" and he wept and sobbed in a heartbreaking manner. "It is certainly the voice of a man for all that," said Massaccio. Oh, if you are still there," said Vitalis, "in the name of all that is dear to you, save me, that I may die at least at home, and not in this horrible pit. I can say no more; my voice is exhausted. Shall them all; and may I die if I forfeit my word. Life, life only-save I give you my palace at Venice, my possessions, my honours? I give only my life." Massaccio could not resist such prayers, and mingled with such promises. He let down the branch again. "Ah, here you are at last," said he, seeing Vitalis come up. 66 Yes," said he, and uttering a cry of joy, he fainted in the arms of Massaccio. then, giving him his arm, "Let us," said he, "quit this forest;" Massaccio sustained, assisted him, and brought him to himself; but Vitalis could hardly walk, he was exhausted with hunger. "Eat this piece of bread," said Massaccio, and he gave him some which he took out of his wallet. "My benefactor, my saviour, my good angel!" said Vitalis "how can I ever sufficiently recompense you!" "You have promised me a marriage portion for my bride, and your palace at Venice for myself," said Massaccio. But Vitalis now began to regain his strength. 66 Yes, certainly, I will give a portion to your wife, my dear Massaccio, and I will make you the richest peasant of your village. Where do you live?" "At Capalatta in the forest; but I would willingly quit my village to establish myself at Venice in the palace you have promised me." "Here we are out of the forest," said Vitalis; "I know my road now; thank you, Massaccio." "But when shall I come for my palace and the portion of my intended?" returned the peasant. "When you will," said the other, and they separated. Vitalis went to Venice, and Massaccio to Capalatta, where he related his adventures to his mistess, telling her what a rich portion she was to have, and what a fine palace she was to live in. The next day early he set out for Venice, and asked for the palace of the Signor Vitalis,-went straight to it, and told the domestics that he should come shortly with his mistress, in a fine carriage, to take possession of the palace which the Signor Vitalis had promised to give him. Massaccio appeared mad to those who heard him, and Vitalis was told that there was a peasant in his hall, who asked for a marriage portion, and said the palace belonged to him. "Let him be turned out immediately," said Vitalis, "I know him not." The varlets accordingly drove him away with insults, and Massaccio returned to his cottage in despair, without daring to see his mistress. At one corner of his fire-place was seated the monkey, at the other corner the lion, and the serpent had twisted itself in spiral circles upon the hearth. Massaccio was seized with fear. "The man has driven me from his door," thought he, "the lion will certainly devour me, the serpent sting me, and the monkey laugh at me; and this will be my reward for saving them from the pit." But the monkey turned to him with a most amicable grimace; the lion, vibrating gently his tail, came and licked his hand, like a dog caressing his master; and the serpent, unrolling its ringy body, moved about the room with a contented and grateful air, which gave courage to Massaccio. "Poor animals !" said he," they are better than the Signor Vitalis; he drove me like a beggar from the door. Ah! with what pleasure I would pitch him again into the pit. And my bride! whom I thought to marry so magnificently! I have not a stick of wood in my wood-house, not a morsel of meat for a meal, and no money to buy any. The ungrateful wretch, with his portion and his palace ! Thus did Massaccio complain, Meanwhile the monkey began to make significant faces, the lion to agitate his tail with great uneasiness, and the serpent to roll and unrol its circles with great rapidity. Then the monkey, approaching his benefactor, made him a sign to follow, and led him into the wood-house, where there was regularly piled up a quantity of wood sufficient for the whole year. It was the monkey who had collected this wood in the forest, and brought it to the cottage of Massaccio. Massaccio embraced the grateful ape. The lion then, uttering a delicate roar, led him to a corner of the cottage where he saw an enormous provision of game, two sheep, three kids, hares and rabbits in abundance, and a fine wild boar, all covered with the branches of trees to keep them fresh. It was the lion who had hunted for his benefactor. Massaccio patted kindly his mane. "And you, then," said he to the serpent, "have you brought me nothing? Art thou a Vitalis, or a good and honest animal like the monkey and the lion ?" The serpent glided rapidly under a heap of dried leaves, and reappeared immediately, rearing itself superbly on its tail, when Massaccio saw with surprise a beautiful diamond in its mouth. "A diamond!" cried Massaccio, and stretched forth his hand to stroke caressingly the serpent and take its offering. Massaccio then set out immediately for Venice to turn his diamond into money. He addressed himself to a jeweller. The jeweller examined the diamond; it was of the finest water. "How much do you ask for it ?" said he. "Two hundred crowns," said Massaccio, thinking his demand to be great; it was hardly the tenth part of the value of the stone. The jeweller looked at Massaccio, and said, "To sell it at that price you must be a robber, and I arrest you!" "If it is not worth so much, give me less," said Massaccio; "I am not a robber, I am an honest man; it was the serpent who gave me the diamond." But the police now arrived, and conducted him before the magistrate. There he recounted his adventure, which appeared to be a mere fairy vision. Yet as the Signor Vitalis was implicated in the story, the magistrate referred the affair to the State Inquisition, and Massaccio appeared before it. "Relate to us your history," said one of the inquisitors, "and lie not, or we will have you thrown into the canal." Massaccio related his adventure. "Let the Signor Vitalis appear," said the same inquisitor. Vitalis appeared. "Do you know this man, Signor Vitalis ?" said the inquisitor. "No, I know him not," replied Vitalis. an illusion of the demon, but it is true that I saved the Signor Vitalis. Signor Vitalis" (turning to him), "I ask you not for the marriageportion for my bride, nor for your palace of marble, but say a word for me; suffer me not to be thrown into prison: do not abandon me; I did not abandon you when you were in the pit." "Noble signors," said Vitalis, bowing to the tribunal, "I can only repeat what I have already said: I know not this man. Has he a single witness to produce ?" 66 At this moment the whole court was thrown into fear and astonishment, for the lion, the monkey, and the serpent, entered the hall together. The monkey was mounted on the back of the lion, and the serpent was twined round the arm of the monkey. On entering, the lion roared, the monkey spluttered, and the serpent hissed. "Ah! these are the animals of the pit," cried Vitalis in alarm. "Signor Vitalis," resumed the chief of the inquisitors, when the dismay which this apparition had caused had somewhat diminished, you have asked where were the witnesses of Massaccio? You see that God has sent them at the right time before the bar of our tribunal. Since, then, God has testified against you, we should be culpable before Him if we did not punish your ingratitude. Your palace and your possessions are confiscated, and you shall pass the rest of your life in a narrow prison. And you," continued he, addressing himself to Massaccio, who was all this time caressing the lion, the monkey, and the serpent, "since a Venetian has promised you a palace of marble, and a portion for your bride, the republic of Venice will accomplish the promise; the palace and possessions of Vitalis are thine. You," said he to the secretary of the tribunal, "draw up an account of all this history, that the people of Venice may know, through all generations, that the justice of the tribunal of the State Inquisition is not less equitable than it is rigorous.” Massaccio and his wife lived happily for many years afterwards in the palace of Vitalis with the monkey, the lion, and the serpent; and Massaccio had them represented in a picture, on the wall of his palace, as they entered the hall of the tribunal, the lion carrying the monkey, and the monkey carrying the serpent. THE ADVENTURES OF HAITIM TAÏ. A PERSIAN TALE. CHAPTER II-(Continued.) WOW as to the guards, when they awoke from their slumbers and found no trace of Haitim they began to search for him in all directions, but to no purpose. They then held a consultation on what was best to be done. Most of them believed that Haitim had made his escape, and could not as yet be far off, while others suggested that probably some youthful peri, enamoured of his beauty, had stolen him during the night. "If the King "What shall we do?" said they to one another. should hear of this affair he will assuredly flay us alive." In short, they resolved to keep the affair secret, and in the meantime to make the strictest search. If the man should be found, they were to conduct him before the King as if nothing had happened, and if not, they considered it safest to absent themselves. After a considerable period had thus elapsed, Mahpari, becoming impatient, said to his courtiers, "Can you tell me the reason why this man has not yet made his appearance? I must make further inquiries concerning him." His Majesty immediately despatched a messenger to the guardians of the shores of Kulzum, who received as an answer from the latter, "It is now a considerable time since we sent our prisoner to the capital, escorted by a strong guard of soldiers; we have heard nothing of them since, nor can we conjecture what may be the cause of their delay." The messenger conveyed this information to the King, who became exceedingly wroth. He ordered his troops to scour the country in search of the delinquents, and find out, if possible, what had becomeof the man. Agreeably to his Majesty's commands, emissaries were sent forth in all directions, and not long after one of Haitim's escort was seized and carried to the capital. Mahpari threatened him with the severest punishment, unless he told truly what had become of the man whom they had had in The inquisitors consulted together. "This man," said they, speak-charge. ing of Massaccio, "is evidently a knave and a cheat; he must be thrown into prison. Signor Vitalis, you are acquitted." Then making a sign to an officer of police, "Take that man," said he, "to prison.' Massaccio fell on his knees in the middle of the hall. "Noble signors, noble signors," said he, "it is possible that the diamond may have been stolen; the serpent who gave it me may have wished to deceive It is possible that the ape, the lion, and the serpent may all be me. The peri guard, with trembling voice, replied, "Spare my life, O King, and I will tell truly all that I know respecting the man." "Speak the truth, then," said the King, "otherwise you shall speedily die." The guard proceeded, "Sire, we received the man in charge, and for several days journeyed with him most carefully towards the foot of your throne. "It happened, as we halted for the night in a certain spot near a garden, that we were all overpowered with sleep, and when we awoke the man was nowhere to be seen. "It is certain that some one must have stolen him from us, for he would not have gone away of his own accord, as he frequently expressed his most ardent desire to have an interview with your Majesty. It is most likely, then, that some of the peri damsels, on seeing him, became enamoured of his person-for, verily, he is of rare beauty and gracefulness, and contrived to carry him off while we were asleep. "Next morning, when we awoke and missed our charge, we fled in all directions from fear of your Majesty's just wrath; and this, Sire, is the whole truth." On hearing this statement, Mahpari ordered the culprit's life to be spared, and contented himself by detaining him prisoner until such time as the man should be found. Meanwhile, he sent forth all his servants, with orders to search every corner of peri-land until they discovered Haitim. It happened, about three months after, that one of the escort from Kulzum entered unobserved the garden of Masnapari, and having concealed himself in a corner, what does he see but the beautiful peri and Haitim walking hand in hand among the flowers. He instantly recognised the object of his search, and, leaving his hiding-place, he boldly presented himself amongst the peri troop, saying, "Most foolish damsels, you are aware that the King has ordered this man to be brought into his presence, whither we were conducting him, and yet you had the temerity to carry him off by stratagem. Now, if you value your lives, surrender him into my charge; otherwise, degradation and death will be your lot." On hearing this unexpected address, Husnapari, instigated by fear and resentment, cried to her attendants, "How dare you, without my permission, admit a stranger into the garden? Seize the villain! let him be severely punished, and for the remainder of his life confined in fetters." The spy, with the utmost activity, bounded off as they were about to lay hold of him, and fled beyond their reach. With all speed he made for the capital, and, on his arrival, blackened his face, and taking his station at the palace gate, stated that he had a complaint to lay before the King. Mahpari ordered, in the first place, that the father should be brought before him. Masnapari entered, and, making a low obeisance, said, “Sire, I swear by your Majesty's salt, which I have so often tasted, that I knew nothing of this affair. I have come, however, obedient to your commands, accompanied by my family, and all of us are ready to undergo whatever punishment your Majesty decrees." "Enough," said the King, "you are innocent, and we accordingly forgive you; let us now examine the man who has caused all this trouble." The attendants immediately introduced Haitim, and placed him before the King. 'When Mahpari beheld his noble form and fair countenance, all his resentment towards him vanished, and having seated Haitim beside him, he began to converse with him, and said, "You are a bold youth to enter our dominions; may I ask what is the cause of your journey hither ?" 66 Sire," replied Haitim, "I had heard much of your majesty, and of your celestial realms, from Farokash, the King of the Deevs, so that I felt an irresistible desire to visit your country, and to tender you my humble services, whatever might be the risk." Who," asked the king, "were your guides hither ?" "The subjects of Farokash," said Haitim. "Know you," continued the peri king, "whether there be any learned and expert physician among the Deevs?" "From what I have there observed," replied Haitim. "I believe the subjects of Farokash have no great skill in medicine; but may I ask, what occasion has your Majesty for a physician ?" "I shall tell you in good time," said Mahpari, "for, after all, you may be able to serve me, as the human race are allowed to be the noblest and most skilful of the creation, and from their superior wisdom they are enabled to hold under their control the regions of the Peris and Deevs, as was the case with Suleiman, with whom be peace." "Well," said Haitim, "may I once more presume to ask, what would your Majesty have with a physician ?" Mahpari, in a voice of sorrow, replied: "I have a son who is the admiration of the world, accomplished in every art and science that enrich the mind, matchless in the beauty and elegance of his form, and beside him I have no other child." "He has been lately seized with a pain in his eyes (which constantly flow with water), so intense that he is now quite blind; nor does he experience a moment's relief. His Majesty was pleased to admit him, and inquired, "Why hast thou blackened thy face? Tell me who has injured thee." "Sire," replied the spy, "my complaint is against the beautiful daughter of Masnapari. I am one of those who formed the escort of the Arabian prince from Kulzum; and while we were conducting our charge hither, agreeably to your Majesty's order, this damsel, whose name is Husnapari, contrived to steal him from us by night, and since then she has detained him in her father's garden. I hap-ness." pened to discover the circumstance, and demanded of her the man as my prisoner. Enraged, she threatened me with severe punishment and confinement for life; however, I fortunately made my escape, and hastened to lay my complaint before your Majesty." When the sovereign of the peri realms heard this intelligence his wrath was excessive. He instantly despatched his commander-inchief, accompanied by thirty thousand troops, with orders to seize Masnapari, and make him responsible for his daughter's conduct. When Masnapari beheld this formidable array drawn up around his palace he was greatly perplexed, and, addressing the commander, said, "For what purpose are all these troops? In what respect have I incurred his Majesty's displeasure ?" "Pray, sir," said the commander, "where is your daughter?" "For some months past," replied the other, "she has been enjoying the delights of our garden in the country." "Wretched being," rejoined the commander, "I pity your case; be it known to you that your daughter has privately conveyed into that garden the man whom the sentinels of Kulzum found upon their coast, hence the cause of the King's resentment towards you." When the mother of Husnapari heard this statement, pale with fear, she hastened to the garden, where she found her daughter seated on a bed of flowers, and engaged in conversation with Haitim. The enraged mother struck Husnapari on the head, saying, "Abandoned hussy! you have caused the ruin of yourself and family. The King's troops have surrounded our dwelling in quest of this man whom you have chosen for your lover.” Husnapari, surprised and terrified at these tidings, stood motionless, and her beautiful countenance assumed a saffron hue. The mother then gave her daughter and Haitim in charge to the commander of the troops; and, with the whole of her relations, was ordered to follow to the capital. In the course of three days they arrived at the palace, where the commander informed his Majesty that Masnapari was in attendance to plead his own cause, and that his daughter and the Prince of Yemen, her lover, were now at hand to be disposed of as his Majesty might deem proper. "If you can procure me a learned leech who may succeed in restoring him his sight, I shall ever remain grateful for your kind "What reward will your Highness bestow on that physician who may be the means of curing the prince ?" "I will give him whatever he asks," replied the King. Agreed," said Haitim; "I myself will undertake, on these terms, to restore the prince to perfect health." The King then took Haitim by the hand, and solemnly swore to abide by his promise, and as it was now late, they retired to rest for the night. Haitim was ushered into a splendid apartment, while troops of peris attended him to execute his commands. They presented him with every sort of food, and a variety of delicious fruits, with cool water, pure as crystal. When the morning dawned the peri king conducted Haitim to the apartment of his son, who lay stretched upon the bed of restlessness. Haitim took out the talisman (presented him by the bear's daughter), and having dipped it into pure water, applied the liquid to the prince's eyes, who in the course of the day obtained some relief, and the pain was greatly alleviated, but his sight was not yet in the least restored. Mahpari, with the anxiety of a parent, watched the progress of the cure, and addressing Haitim, said, "Most learned man, the eyes are indeed cured of the pain, but, alas! the vision, I fear, is for ever lost." After a little reflection, Haitim said, "Sire, there is a tree that grows amidst the shades of Zulmât, which is called the Nandar; from this tree flows a liquid of rare qualities, of which, if even a single drop could be procured, it would be the means of restoring the prince's sight." When Maphari heard this, he addressed his peri subjects, saying, "Is there one among you who has the courage to enter the region of Zulmât, and bring me a vial full of the juice of the Nandar ?" All the peris listened to this proposal, with downcast looks, and replied: "The valleys of the Zulmat abound with Deevs, the very scent of whom we cannot endure and besides, being our enemies, they would not leave one of us alive were we to venture thither." The King, well aware of this fact, held down his head in silent grief, when Husnapari respectfully approached him, and said, "If my lord the King will forgive my past transgressions, and again restore me to the Prince of Yemen, I will endeavour to find out the tree in question." Maphari, delighted, said to her in reply, "Fair lady, I heartily forgive your pranks; nay, in receiving an explanation from your father, I had extended my full pardon to you all; but so far as regards the Prince of Yemen, I have no control over him he is entirely at his own disposal." Haitim then addressed the beautiful peri, saying, "Noble lady, if it is your wish that I should dwell with you during the whole of my life, it is more than I can by any means promise you; but if you will be satisfied with my remaining in your society only during my own pleasure, and having full liberty to depart when I think proper, then I sincerely promise not to deceive you." The beautiful peri replied, in the accents of love, "Alas! I can lay no claim to your affection; but say you will stay with me at least a few days. My time shall be wholly spent in your society, and when I shall have sufficiently admired you, if that be possible, then your departure will be in your own choice." 66 Enough," said Haitim, "for the present; lose no time in the accomplishing of your dangerous enterprise." Husnapari, accompanied by seven thousand of her peri troops, immediately set out upon her journey and so swiftly did she wing her course, that all her convoy were left far in the rear. In the space of forty days she entered the regions of darkness, and arrived at the tree of Nandar, the top of which seemed to pierce the skies. From its trunk flowed a liquid, white as milk and sweet as honey. She caught the drops in her vial as they fell, and when it was filled she carefully sealed it up, and began to retrace her steps from those dreary abodes. Meanwhile a host of Deevs, twelve thousand in number, who acted as guards of the tree of Nandar, observed the beautiful peri as she was returning, and immediately pursued her. Husnapari increased her speed, and fled as swiftly as the bird that flies for its life. The Deevs followed fast for some distance, when finding that they were losing ground, they returned to their haunts. After forty days the beautiful peri returned to the court of her sovereign, and presenting to his Majesty the vial containing the precious elixir, she recounted the events of her journey. The King expressed his gratitude, and exalted her into the rank of the most select in his household. Haitim dipped his talisman into the elixir, and applied a few drops of it to the eyes of the prince, which still remained closed. At the end of eight days he repeated the process, and a complete cure ensued. When the prince again beheld the faces of his father and mother, his joy was excessive. Grateful, he prostrated himself at the feet of Haitim, who speedily raised him to his bosom, saying, "Let thy thanks be rendered unto God." Well," continued the King, "I will strictly abide by my promise, but the daughter of Harith shall never retain possession of this treasure." Haitim suggested that as soon as he had acquitted himself of his task, the Shahmuhra might be returned. The King approved of this proposal, and having loosened the Shahmuhra from his arra, he fastened it on that of Haitim, who immediately perceived its rare qualities; for he had no sooner placed it on his arm than all the treasures of gold and precious stones concealed within the bosom of the earth were now clearly displayed to his eyes; nor was he at any loss to discover the reason why Harith's daughter so eagerly desired the possession of this key of wealth. Malipari summoned three of his most cunning magicians into his presence, and gave them instruction to this effect: "When this man shall have delivered the Shahmuhra to Harith's daughter, and she in consequence accepts her lover in marriage, you shall transport yourselves thither, and after she has had it ten days in her possession, bring it back to me." Haitim then took leave of the peri king, and proceeded to the residence of Husnapari, with whom he spent three months in the enjoyment of every happiness. At length he bade adieu to that beautiful lady, and accompanied by the peris, some of whom carried his treasures, while others conveyed him in a litter, he left the capital, and in a few days reached the territories of Farokash. When arrived at the line of separation between the two regions, the peris left him, and the deevs, who had previously been his guides, and had remained there during his absence in peri-land, instantly took him up, and conveyed him with all his treasures to their own capital. Haitim had an interview with Farokash, who received him with the utmost kindness and hospitality. Next day he continued his homeward journey, and by his former route through the cave, in the course of time arrived safely in the city of Suri. Haitim immediately on his arrival sought out the lover Naim, on whom he bestowed all the wealth he had brought from peri-land. The youth accepted the valuables with a profusion of thanks, after which Haitim waited on Harith's daughter and presented her with the Shahmuhra. The lady, on receiving this treasure, was extremely delighted, and said to Haitim, "Now, brave sir, I am yours." "Excuse me," replied Haitim, "if I reject your offer; you know what anguish the youthful Naim has been suffering for years on your account; him, therefore you shall accept as your husband." The lady agreed, saying, "I am entirely at your disposal." The father and the lover were immediately sent for, and Haitim made them join hands as father and son. The marriage contract was then drawn up after the usual form, and signed; in short, the love-sick Naim was blessed in the possession of his mistress, and Haitim pleased in what he had himself done. In the course of ten days afterwards the Shah muhra mysteriously disappeared from the lady's hand, whereupon her grief and lamentations were excessive. Haitim earnestly endeavoured to console her, saying, "Lady, you have in your possession such vast treasures of gold and jewels as will be amply sufficient for your posterity, even unto the seventh generation; why, then, should you not be content ?" Haitim shortly after took leave of his friends in Suri and betook himself seriously to the attainment of the object of his journey, viz., the solution of Husn Banu's second question. He travelled many roads without success, till at length he arrived on the banks of a large river. There he beheld a lofty mansion built of stone, over the door of which was written," Do good and cast it upon the waters." On seeing this motto, Haitim devoutly thanked the ruler of events, and said, "I have now reached the object of my desire." While he was contemplating, a crowd of attendants issued forth, and conducted him into the house. There he beheld seated upon a throne a venerable man, whose age amounted to a hundred years. On Haitim's entrance, the aged sire rose up and courteously received him; after which he hospitably presented him with food and drink of various kinds. When Haitim had appeased his hunger and allayed his thirst, he said to his entertainer, "Venerable sir, pray, what is the meaning of the motto which is written above your door ?" 66 Young stranger," replied the aged man, "listen to my tale, which will explain it. "In the prime of my life I was a most daring robber, and lived by plundering my fellow creatures, whose property I used to seize by violent means. avocations, I used to bake two large loaves, the ingredients of which But every day, when I rested from my sinful I mixed with oil and sugar. "Two such loaves I daily threw into the river, saying, This I give away to propitiate the favour of heaven.' "A considerable period had thus passed, when one day I was seized with sickness so violent that my soul seemed to quit my body. Methought a man seized me by the hand, and pointing out to me the way to the infernal regions, said, 'Behold! there is the place des tined for thee.' "While he was on the point of hurling me amidst the damned, two youths, divinely fair in countenance and angelic in form, came up to my rescue. My guardian angels laid hold of me, one by each arm, and said, 'We will not permit this man to be cast into Hell; sinful as he has been, his future station is in Paradise, and thither let us convey him.' "They swiftly wafted me to the regions of the blessed, where an angel of exalted rank stood up and asked them, 'Why have you brought this man? He has still a hundred years to live on earth; but there is another of the same name whom you were commissioned to bring.' "The same two angels who carried me to the gates of Paradise, again brought me back to my own house, and said to me at parting, 'We are the two loaves which you used to cast into the river for fishes to feed on, as a service acceptable to the Almighty.' "When I recovered from my trance, I rose up and fled for refuge to the threshold of divine mercy, exclaiming in the voice of supplication, Gracious God! thou art merciful, and I am a sinful creature. I repent of my evil deeds, which I committed in the depravity of my heart. To Thy gates I now flee for protection; spare me, merciful Creator, and from Thy secret stores of divine grace bestow upon me that which is meet for me.' "When my health was restored, I prepared the two loaves as formerly, and went with them to the side of the river, in order to cast them upon the waters. "On the shore I found a hundred dinars, which I took up and carried with me to the village. I there caused it to be publicly proclaimed, that if any person had lost a sum of money, he could obtain the same from me. "No one came forward to claim the money; I therefore laid it aside, in hopes that the real owner of it might some day appear. Next day, when I went to the river-side, according to my usual custom, I threw my two loaves into the water; and another sum of a hundred dinars made its appearance on the shore. I took the money home, and in the same way it happened to me for ten successive days. "On the eve of the eleventh day, as I was asleep, a man appeared to me in a vision of the night, saying, "Servant of the 'Almighty, thy two loaves have pleaded thy cause in heaven, and the merciful Creator has forgiven thy sins. The dinars which you receive are for thy maintenance; what is not necessary for thy own support, bestow in charity upon the poor. "I awoke from my dream and betook myself to prayer, and rendered thanks to the Bountiful Giver. I have since built this mansion, on the door of which I have written the motto that has attracted your attention. "Every day I receive the sum of a hundred dinars on the shore of the river; and I occupy myself in giving it away in charity. Nearly a hundred years of my life still remain, and this, young stranger, is my history." When Haitim heard the wonderful story of this aged man, he devoutly expressed his sense of the divine mercy. After staying a few days he took leave of his venerable entertainer, and began to retrace his way to Shahabad. Having travelled a considerable distance he came to a desert, where he beheld, underneath a tree, two serpents eagaged in deadly strife; the one was black and loathsome, the other beautiful and graceful to view; but the black snake had the advantage in the struggle, and was on the point of killing the other. Haitim speedily approached, and raised a shout that terrified the black serpent, which let go its victim and fled. The serpent of beautiful colour, being quite overpowered, remained beneath the tree looking gracefully at Haitim, who thus addressed it, "Fear nothing from me, I will here watch over you till you are recovered." In the course of a few hours the serpent began to move slowly round the tree, and then it assumed the form of a beautiful young man. Haitim stood rapt in astonishment, when the youth, addressing him, said, "My good friend, I am of the race of the Deevs, and the son of their king. The black serpent which you saw is my father's slave, who bears deadly hatred towards me. To-day he happened to find the time apt, and having transformed himself and me into serpents, he was about to slay me when God the Supreme sent you to my relief." On hearing this Haitim rejoined, "As you are now recovered, proceed to your abode without delay; as for me, I have urgent business to attend to." The Deev replied, "My residence is not far distant; if you deign to honour me with a visit, nothing can be more agreeable to me." Haitim proceeded to the prince's palace, and rested there for the night, seated upon a throne, and charmed with musical sounds the most melodious. Next day he was presented with boundless treasures of gold and all sorts of jewels, which he rejected, saying that such things had no value in his sight. As he was about to depart from this hospitable mansion, the Deevs caught the base slave that had attempted to kill the prince; and having dragged him to the place of execution, they put him to death in Haitim's presence. Haitim took leave of the Deev, and continued his journey till he arrived in Shahabad. He went straight to the cavavanserai, where he was joyfully received by Munir the Syrian prince. Husn Banu's people, in the mean time, conveyed to their mistress. the news of Haitim's arrival. She sent to him the next day, and said, "Brave youth, this time you have been long absent; pray, have you attained the object of your journey, or not ?" "Praised be God," said Haitim, "I have been quite successful." He then related to Husn Banu all that he had witnessed since his. departure, and particularly the history of the aged man on the banks of the river. When Husn Banu heard this wonderful adventure, she looked towards her nurse, who said, "The youth speaks truly: your second question is answered." Food and drink were then called for, of which Haitim and the Prince of Syria partook. Haitim assured the prince that, through divine aid, he would accomplish the solution of the remaining question. Three days were spent in discharging the rites of hospitality, at the expiration of which Haitim waited upon Husn Banu, saying, "Now, fair lady, let me hear your third question, that I may endeavour to solve it?" 6 "There is a man," replied Husn Banu, "who says, from experience, Injure no one: if you do, evil will befall you! Find out where that man lives, what injury he has done, and what evil has befallen him.” (To be continued.) THE ORPHAN BROTHER. Он, hush, my little baby brother; What though, dear child, we've lost our mother, You are but ten weeks old to-morrow; Peace; cry not so, my dearest love; Hush, my baby-bird; lie still;— He's quiet now, he does not move : Fast asleep is little Will. My only solace; only joy, Since the sad day I lost my mother, A DROP OF DEW. BEHOLD yon drop of crystal dew, which hangs pendant from a blade of grass. How it sparkles in the sun; it looks like a little star in the green mead. Whence comest thou, little diamond drop? and why comest thou? I have seen thee as a pure gem on buds and leaves and flowers, making all bright and cheerful about thee. Sometimes thou liest like a deep, fond tear in the snowdrop's bell, and one would almost think the flowers did weep, were you not so bright and they so gay. I came from the sea, my child; from the palace of pearls, and shells, and gems; from dark rocks and whirling sands; from coral caves and diamond mines,—but I had no light from them. The sun called me from the deep sea that I might rejoice in his light. I arose at his call, and leaving the salt and bitter ocean, became pure and clear; and then he threw his beams upon me to make me bright. I came not for my own good, but that I might do good to others. I moisten the drooping plant, and it springs up again. I restore the withered flower. I call the dying unto life. So hast thou been called from the dust, my child, by the God who made thee. So must thou rise to welcome His light and love. So must thou shed blessings and comfort around thee, sweet child. Look at me again; do you not see that while I sparkle, the whole image of the sun is reflected in me? So beameth the spirit of God in thine own soul; so will His light illumine thy heart, and so will His image be reflected from thee, if thou art His child. So wilt thou give new life, and joy, and peace to all around; comfort the stricken heart, brighten the darksome breast, and be a solace to those that droop and mourn, |