Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-12-25
The Uses of Wealth
AN EASTERN TALE.
CHAPTER I.
By PROF. JAMES IYxD.

SAN As
In the far-famed city of Bagdad there former
ly lived a poor cobbler, who had arrived ut the
age of forty, and collected around him n numer-
GUS family, but in spite of all his toll aud ex-
ertiOn had never been able to procure moro
than a daily supply for himself and his depen-
dants. His resources had always correspondent
with his necessities. AT first he was Just ena-
bled to provide for himself; soon, a wife made
an additional demand upon him, which was in
some manner met; and when within a few
years the poor man found himself surrounded
by a numerous progeny he still, unaccountably
procured the means of supporting them. But
he could accomplish no more. The consump-
ton, was inlalibly certain to keep pace with
the production; and occasionally, sad to tell, it
even prOceededit. At such a time, Amrad Null
dilla, for this was his name, would cndeavOr to
quiet his children, for the loss of their morning
meal, aud invoking Allah for relief. would with
pious resignation take his accustomed stand,
confident that some timely Job would enable
him to satisfy the wants of his family. Some
times he was Immediately successful; at others,
an hour or two would pass away before his ser
vices would be required, and several times a
whole morning had nearly elapsed ere his wish.
es were gratiied; and thus he hadlived on anx-
ious, thrifty, aborious-till the dawn of his
fortieth year.
1t was the morn Of his fortieth birthday; and
ere the sun tinted the eastern sky, he rose to
seek antearly supply of food, for the last crumb
had been consumed the evening before. He
proceeded with his. instruments to the usual
stand, and patiently waited for employment
Many were already fastening to their usual oc-
equations, DESTROYS like himself of earning some
thing with which to procure a snbsis!ence.-
Poor Amrad had waited two hours without
realizing his anxious expectations. The sun
was far on his way towards the zenith, and
poured down glorious rays the merchant and
prince of the luxurious city, were passing
quickly from street to street, and its busy pop
ulation hurried to and fro, variously impeiled,
but no one noticed tho poor cObbler. 1t was
noonj yet not n soul had demanded the cobbler's
art. Still he did not despair, for moro than
once he had been relieved at q later hour; but,
like a good Mussulm0n, he duplicated assis-
lance from the prophets, reCitcd a passage of
the Koran, and with much assurance waited
the hoped relief. Long he remained, gazing
wistfully upon each person as he approached,
anxious to find some indication that his servi-
ces were required; but still in vain. The de-
parting sun left him us destitute az he was at
the first greeting. Hungry and sOrrowful he
was vending his way home, when he met an
acquaintance, and while speaking with him an
other came up. They were both poor, although
they had no family; and neither had earned any
thing during the day.
at is u sad thing, Bahia Dabalha," said AM
rad, addressing the first, 'that we should re-
main idle all day, and unable to gain any thing
for our support, when we would so willingly
work to obtain q few zechins?'' sIndeei -
|ubu INV ANHLyT ~ - III ~ uEk6 us u EOIlO
unhOly act, when we sec thousands of the pro.
figate and indOlent, wasting countless pieces of
precious gold, for each of which we would glad
~ submit to weeks of toll, and yet cannot OBJ
tain. IL Allah would but bestow riches upon
me, ] would make 1better use of it, ''Why,1'
said the third, care not we permitted the same
enjoyments Of life with these pampered children
of the wealthy! Is it Just or merciful in God
to suffer us, who work hard, to remain desti-
tutc Of n crum of bread, when others spend their
idle hours in luxury and rioti Surely God
ueglects the poor and labOuring, and heaps all
his blessings upon those in Opulence and ease.'
"Allah AckbRr, Godi is great, aud Mahomet is
his prophet" exclaimed Amrad. "Murmur
not, Mustapha, against tho ways of Providence.
He alone is the disposer of all events; hejudges
ofthe condition suitable to3every part of his
creation. He has made us poor, because he
saw that a life Oflabor and care would be best
for us; and others he has made wealthy for
equally good purposes. Allah is not as man,
nor are his actions as our actions; but as he is
invisible, so arc his DEGREES inscrutable,-
Come, then, brother Mustaphn, cease to envy
those in %afiuence, and remain eontented with
your present situation, acknowledging that
GoddOes all things for the best" "rhis is all
very we'll to talk of, but how, in the nature of
the prophet, brother Amrad, can any one be
s satisfied and consider all things for the. best,
when he has not eatena mOrsel of food for
twenty-four hours, andhas no certainty of OBJ
tanning any in the twenty-four to follow ut
Is not so impossible as you seem to think. I
have tasted nothing since this time Yesterday.
and, moreover, my wife and seven chiLdrenhave
been destitute; but yes l envy not the abund-
ance of others, and much less accuse Allah of
neglect. Many times, heretofore, / have start
ed in the morning from my furnishing family,
and two, four, six hours, and more than half of
the day would pass by before I could obtain the
means of supplying their wants. I did not in
dulgc in the meanwhile, in laments, but still
retained the fullest assurance Of a speedy relief
and now, although q whole day has elapsed, /
submit with resignation. to the will of Allah,
believing that he merely intends to test the
strength ofmy faith in him. and that he will
soon relieve my necessities" "WelI, Amrad
Muldilla, you may be able to do more than 9th
or persons; but, for my own part, l cannot per-
suade myself thatI am in the best condition
when starving, or that / am at all obligated to
any one for such a condition; but when l find
myself possessed of all the wealth and luxury
which / desire and merit. l shall then believe