Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1871 — The Thief’s Device. [ARTICLE]

The Thief’s Device.

- There is k fabte snrong~the Hindoos that a thief having been detected.and condemned to die, upon an expedient which gave hini nope of life. He so ril for his jiuor, and told, him that he had a secret of great importance which he desired to impart to the king, and whep that had been done he would be prepared to die. Upon receiving this piece of intelligence the king at once ordered the culprit to be conducted to Trii presence, and demandadof him to know his secret. The thief replied that he knew the secret of c rasing trees ttrgrow which would bear fruit of pure gold, The experiment might be easily tried, and his majesty would not lose the opportunity: so accompanied by his prime minister, his courtiers, and Ins chief priest, he went with the thief to a spot selected near the city wall, where the latter performed a series of solemn indurations. This done the condemned urn produced a piece of gold, and declared that if it should-be planted it would produce a tree every branch of which would bear’gold. “ But,” he added, “thismust be put into the ground by a hand that has never been stained by a dishonest act. My hand is not cleMi, therefore I pass it to your majesty,*!’ The kln*>-took,the piece of-gold, but Finally he said: ' " I refn«mkar,4n my Jo linger days, that 1 often filched money fl*>m my father's treasury which was not mine. I have repented of the yet I hardly dare say my hand is wean. 1 pass it,Therefore, to iny prime minlslcr.” The latter,.after brief consideration, answired: f “ It were a pity to break the charm through a possible blunder. I receive taxes from, the people, and as I am exposed to many temptations, how cm I be sure that I have remained perfectly honest ? I must give it to the governor of our citadel.” - “ No, no,” Cried the governor, drawing back. ** Remember that I have the serving out of pay and provisions'to the soldiers. Let the high priest plant it.” A nd. the priest said—- ** You forget; I have the collecting of tithes, and the disbursements for sacrifice.” At length the thief exclaimed—- “ Your majesty, I think it were better for society that’ uH five of ns should be hanged, since it appears that not an honest man can be found among us.” In spite of the lamentable exposure, the king laughed; and so phased was he with the thiers cunning expedient, that he granted him a pardon.