New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-06-07

ssessi,re ~ chnm. whose name was Caldwell and
took 10 studying the black classics, Persian and Hin
dustan relieving literary labors with various in
telectual amnsements, such as Staying squirrels and
Lizards with the pelletbow, educating dogs and
monkeys destroying wasps nests by squibs attached
70 the end of bamboo, and hunting mungooses
Our zeal for study lasted all through the hot weather
and rains, but with the cold weather, change came
| Ger the spirit Of our smusements. Our time wa,
4 now divided between shooting and fishing exeur
sions. rematches and demonstrating besides whief
taught the sepoys cricket, and played officers and
men OF right wing against those Of left wing. This
afforded capital sport and, unlike most other amuse
ments, cost litte-a small subscription from eaci
betrayed the expenses OF bats, balls, dwelling th,
ground, etc. was requested to receive and colec
this, which did on payday, the only time when cash
Being late in the evening when l received it,
placed the amount, about sixty rupees in my writing
desk, which always remained open on my table, and
as believed my servants to be honest and thought
no one saw me put it there, considered it safe
enough for the present On looking for II next morn
ing, the cash was gone, and along with 1t few
trnkets and all the papers in the desk some OF which
dent that servant or some one well acquainted with
the house had taken it, ordinary thief would
have taken desk aud all without waiting to abstract
its contents besides which, he would doubtless have
left other traces OF his visit, pair Of valuable
pistols and silver matchbox lying the same
table, would have excited bis cupidity. Ny suspi-
cions lit npon cockeyed bearer of Caldwell's, TO
whom had strong objection. He certainly was a
most sinisterlooking individual and If not rogue,
his countenance lay open to action for defamation
of character.
Caldwell, on the other hand. felt quite sure that
my dhobie the thief, all the servants declared
be was the only person who had entered the room
that evening" when he brought in the clean clothes.
don't like speaking In unknown tongue, but that
word dhotie is an indubitabe and unmitigated stag
gerer 1t means " male wssherwoman," and
know OF no word In the English language which ex-
presses that. We were both so positive that for the
first time in our lie, we had au angry discussion
about it, AT length we decided on calling our SER
wants together, about twenty in all and telling them
we were certain the thief was one OF themselves
and that we would accordingly deduct the entire
amount stolen prop0rtionably from their wages
They were at once assembled in the verandah, and
made them short speech, announcing our determi-
nation. This was touching them on the tenderest
point and oil in loud protestation OF their inno-
cence, when In walked Adjudah. he was a SMALL
spare man, but being high caste Brahmin and hav-
ing held the Office OF regmental pundit for quarter
Of century, he was greatly respected by the men.
He had the reputation OF being very learned, and
had scraped together very large sum Of money as
In addition TO his regmental salary, he levied large
contributions from the sepoys in his presty capacity
and gave instructions In Hindee aud Sanscrt. Cad-
well and have been pupils of his, and he now came
ostensibly TO make salam but really to remind us
that we owed him small balance On learning the
state Of affairs, he said defender Of the poor pro-
tector OF the oppressed it is easy to pronounce
Judgment, but between Judgment and justice wide
difference exists 1t cannot be concealed from the
light OF your penetrating mind, that IL you act as
you PROPOSE all your servants will suffer equally with
the guilty one. have no doubt, II such be your
pleasure that with the aid Of my own skill and your
good fortune, can discover the individual who has
been fathess to bis SALT have always had most
profound contempt for the Brahmns and their trans
parent humbug but thinking that fear of detection
might induce the culprit 10 confess, grayely as
sented, and said should feel much obliged BY bis
coming next morning soon after SUNRISE to make his
Investigation.
had not the slightest expectation that il would be
successful, but thought 1t might be some amuse-
ment, and at mess that evening mentioned il to my
brother officers, and invited them to come and see the
fun.
We were hardly seated at coffee the next morning
when Adjudiah made his appearance and asked per
mission to commence his experiments This being
gracousy accorded he began by seating all the SER
wants on raised platform of masonry in front of the
bungalow. He then seated himself In the middle
with brass dish containing undfessed rice at one
side, and pair Of small scales and weights al the
other. After mumbliug few prayers aud stretching
out his hands several times over the rice with the
palms open and the knueklcs uppermost, like per.
son warming his hands at fire, he commenced opera
tons by droling out to each servant rupees weight
OF the dry rice As each mans portion was weighed
out. j. was placed on pece 81 naHfqip ,Jsaf ynng
Brshman, who was Adjudiahs disciple When all
had received their quantum, he stood up and stretch
ing out his hands to the four quarters Of heaven
If invoking the judgment of the Deity, desired them
10 commence, whereupon all hands took their por-
tion OF rice IN their mouths, and began chewing
away vigorously. While this was going on, the
Brahman took up his rosary, made OF the beautiful
brown berries Of the A1eiia Azederachta, and ap-
peared quite absorbed in prayer and meditation,
though have no doubt the cunning old rogue kept
sharp lookout all the time.
After this had lasted couple OF minutes be gave
the signal TO cease, and all Immediately returned
their portion OF rice to their leaf with pro fusion OF
those disgusting and nnearthly sounds which only
HfwTal Of India An Nrn
He then went round and inspected the contents Of
each leaf, most uninyiting spectacle, must con-
Tess for in all, the rice was thoroughly masticated
saturated With saliva on my asking which was the
guilty ore be replied mighty sir, under your favor,
all these men are innocent said; 81 feel sure
some OF the servants the thief and they not
all PRESENT. No replied and on looking again
observed that my khidmutgar was absent did
not 10 the least suspect him, As considered him
very respectable man; he came to me with very
high character from bis former master, and during
the two years he had been in my service had fully
maintained It, However, as thought that IN justice
none should be exempted, desired him to be sum
moned. He came, after little delay, and excused
his absence by saying he had been busy 10 the cook
house preparing coffee. | noticed that the mans
manner was different from his usual composed and
almost dignided way of speaking, but thought it
might arise from his repugnance as Mussulman to
have intercourse with Brahman.
The man sat down amongst the other servants, and
took his prescribed portion Of rice without further re-
mark.
Feeling sure Of the result, paid no further atten-
ton to their proceedings, until Caldwell exclaimed
" 1 say, P, your old kit will sprain his teeth
and dislocate bis upper jaw, il he goes on much
longer like that then observed that the khid-
mugar WAS making frantic efforts TO chew his entire
head and body moving with the exertion the pun
dit standing near and encouraging him with such
words as Use your strength, my brother why
should the innocent fear Gods Judgment |" This
went on for few minutes when the khidmutgar
was desired to return the rice into his leat He did
So and il appeared as dry as when it went into his
mouth the grains seemed slightly crushed, but not
broken, nor was there particle OF saliva adhering
TO them. The pundit then said, This mans guilt
is manifest he dare not deny what all the gods de-
clare so evidently The khidmutgar's countenance
certainly exhibited all the marks OF guilt and confu.
sion. native has advantage. that II he bushes
il cannot be seen ; but though, when under the in
auence Of fear or rage, he does not exactly grow
pale, bis face assumes somewhat Of the hue OF an
unripe lemon
Such was the case In the present instance. He
stood before with his hands closed In the attitude
OF prayer, unable TO look In my face and trembling
In every limb. then told him felt sure he was the
thief and discharged him the spot with forfeiture
! Of all wages due. sent for the head-man Of the
/ bazaar, and had his hut and boxes examined, but
nothing was found we searched his person with nc
better success and he was resumng his urban with
triumphant air, when perceived suspicious look
ing lump on the end OF il.
The knot was opened, and disclosed a small bit o.
paper shout four inches square, which proved to bt
letter OF credit for the exact had lost, drawt