Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-08


the crowd. consented, but when we reached
the market place, he refused to get down, assert
ing that my horse belonged to him, and that your
worship would surely adjudge it to him, who
wanted it most. That my lord Cadi, is precise
ly the state of the case-I swear it by Mahom-
ct!
My lord said the cripple, as was coming
on business to the market, and riding this horse,
which belongs to me, saw this man seated by
the roadside, apparently half dead from fatigue.
good naturedly offered TO take him on the
crupper, and let him ride as far as the market
place, and he eagerly thanked me; but what
was my astonishment, when, on my arrival, he
refused to get down, and said that my horse was
his. I Immediately required him to appear be-
fore your worship, in order that you might de-
eide between us. That is the true state of The
case, swear it by Mahonet
Having made each repeat his deposition, and
having reflected for thSment, the Cadi said,-
Leave the horse here, and return Tomorrow
+ 5as done, and Bou, Akas and the cripple
withdrew in different directions. On the NOR
row, number Of persons besides those imme-
diatey interested in the trials, assembled to hear
the Judges decisions.
The EaLeb and the peasant were called first,
Take away thy wife, said the Cadi to the for
mor, and keep her, advise thee, in good Or
DER
Then turning towards his chnalr, he added
pointing to the asant,-Give this man fifty
blows
He was instantly obeyed, and the taIeb carried
off his wife.
Then came forward the oil-merchant and the
butcher
Here said the Cadi to the butcher, is thy
money; it is truly thine, and not his Then
pointing 10 the oil merchant, he said to his chin
aur, Give this man fifty blows
1t was done, and the butche. went away in
triumph with his money.
The third case was called, and Bou- -Akas and
the cripple came forward.
'Wouljst thou recognize thy horse amongst
twenty other? said the Judge to Bou-Akas.
'Yes my lord
'And thou p
Certainly, my lord,' replied the cripple.
Follow me- said the Cadi to Bou -Akas,
They entered large stable, and Bou-Akas
pointed out his horse amongst twenty which
were standing side by side.
"Tis WELL said the judge. Return now to
the tribunal, and send thine adversary hither.'
The disguised Schek obeyed, delivered his
message, and the cripple fastened to the stable,
al quick as his distorted limbs would allow. He
possessed quick eyes and a good memory, SO
that he was able, without the slightest hesitation,
to place his hand on the right animal.
otis wel' said the Cadi, return TO the trbu-
nal.'
His worship resumed his place, and when the
cripple arrived, judgment was pronounced.
'The horse is thine,' said the Cadi to Bou-A-
kas. Go to the stable and take him. Then to
the chinaur Give this cripple fifty blows
1t was done, and Bou-Akas went 10 take his
horse.
When the Cadi, after concluding the business
of the day, was retiring to his house, he found
Bou-Akas waiting for him.
Art thou dscontented with my award /? ask
ed the Judge.
mo, quite the contrary, replied the Schiek.-
But want to ask by what inspiration thou hast
rendered justice for doubt not that the othel
two cases were decided as capitally as mine.
am not a merchant, am Bou-Akas, Schiek O
FeruI Onah, and wanted to judge for myself o.
thy reputed wisdom
The Cadi bowed to the ground, and kissed hi
masters hand.
i am anxious, said Bou-Akas, to know tht
reasons which determined your three decisions
Nothing, my lord, can be more simple. You
highness saw that | detained for night th
three things in dispute"
Il did,
Well, early in the morning caused the VIC
man to be called, and said to her suddenly
Put fresh ink in my nkstand.' Like a perso
who had done the same thing hundred time
before she took the bottle, removed the cottor
washed them both, put in the cotton again, an
poured in ink, doing it all with the utmost nea
ness and dexterity So | said 10 myself, =
peasant't wife would know nothing about ink
stands she must belong to the taIeb.'
Good said Bou-Akas, nodding his head
And the money
did your highness remark that the melchal
had his clothes and hands covered with OF"
Certainly did
'Wel, took the money, and placed it in
vessel filled with water. This morning ool
ed at it, and not particle of oil was to be see
on the surface Of the water. So said to m,
self, 'Ifthis money belonged to the oil merchal
it would be greasy, from the touch of his hands
as it is not so, the butchers story must be true
Bou.Akas nodded in token of approval.
Good said he. And ny horse"
sAh! that was different business and, III
i'll this morning, was greatly puzzled
The cripple, suppose, did not recognise tt
animal
'On the contrary, he pointed him out imm
diately.'
How then did you discover that he was n
the owner|
My object in bringing you separately to Il
stable, was not to see whether you would knc
the horse, but whether the horse would acknov
edge you. Now, when you approached him, t
creature turned towards you, laid back his ca
and neghed with delight but when the cripr
q touched him, he kicked. Then knew that v
/. were truly his master.
G Bou.Akas thought for a moment, and tn
said
Allah has given thee great wisdom. TIL
oughtest to be in my place, and in tLne, A