Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/167

Rh am I to know that there is no error in the high praises you bestow on it?"

"Sir," replied the crier, "the truth is known by the whole city of Samarcand. Ask all these merchants you see here, and hear what they say. You will find several of them will tell you they had not been alive this day had they not made use of this excellent remedy."

While the crier was detailing to Prince Ahmed the virtues of the artificial apple, many persons gathered round them, and confirmed what he declared; and one amongst the rest said he had a friend dangerously ill, whose life was despaired of, which was a favorable opportunity to show the apple's power; on which Prince Ahmed told the crier he would give him forty purses for the apple if it cured the sick person by smelling it.

"Come sir," said the crier to Prince Ahmed, "let us go and make the experiment, and the apple shall be yours."

The experiment succeeded; and the prince, after he had counted out to the crier forty purses, received the apple. He then spent