Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-26
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Benhassan.

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A word spoken at random has often
proved of more utility than the best con-
certed plans ; hence it happens that fools
often prosper when men of talent fail. Here
is an illustration:
A poor, simple peasant, of the name Of
Benhassan, being heartily tired of his fare
of brown bread and water, resolved, what
ever might be the consequence, to procure
to himself, by hook or crook, even at the
expense Of broken head, three sumptuous
meals. Having taken this courageous snd
noble resolution, the next thing was to de-
wise plan to put it into execution; and
here his good fortune befriended him. The
wife of rich ivory merchant in the neigh
borhood of bis cottage had, during the ab
sence of her husband, lost a valuable dia
mond ring she offered great rewards to any
person who could recover it, or give any
tidings of the jewel. But no one was like
ly to do either; for three eunucbs, of whose
fidelity she had not the smallest doubt, had
stolen it. The loss soon reached our glut
tons ears.
"I'll Co." cries he "I'll say am con
juror, and that will discover where the
gem is hidden, on the condition If first re-
ceiving three splendid meals. I shall fail
tits true. What then 2 I shall be treated
as an impostor, my back and sides may say
"How dye do?" to the bastinado, but my
hungry stomach will be filled ~
To concoct his scheme and put it in
practice was but the work of moment
The merchant was still absent. The lady
anxious for the recovery of her ring, ac
cepted the offered terms. A sumptuou'
dinner was prepared the table was covered
with rich siands; expensive plates of every
sort were placed upon the sideboard. AL
lab how he ate An attentive footman
one of the secret thieves, filled with him sher
bet; our conjuror, gorged, exclaimed:
"Tis we'll; I have the first !"
The servant trembled at the ambiguous
words, and ran to his companions. Co.,
"He has found US out, dear friends" be
cried. "He is cunning man. He said
be had the first. What could he mean bu'
me2
"It looks little like it," replied the sec.
ond thief, "I'l wait on him tonight ,s
yet you may have mistaken his meaning
Should he speak in the same strain, We must
decaup."
At night supper it for the caliph was
set before the greedy Benhassan, who filled
until he could eat no more The second
footman watched him all the while. When
satisfied, he rose, exclaiming:
"Tbe seconds in my sack and cannot es
cape me"
Away flew the afrighted robber.
awe are lost p' he cried. HOur heels
alone can save US !"
ssNot 3d." answered the third. elf we
fly and are caught, We loose our heads, I'll
tend him at to morrow's meal and should
he speak as before, I'll own the theft te
him, and offer some great reward to screen
Us from punishment, and that may deliver
the jewel to the lady without betraying
u.s."
They all agreed. On the morrow Ben
hassan's appetite was still the same. Al
last, quite full, he exclaimed:
"My task is done the third, thank AL.
lab, is here!"
"Oh," said the culprit, "behold the ring;
but hide our shame, and you shall never
want good fare again"
"Be silept!' exclaimed the astonished
Bephassan, who little thought that what be
had spoken of bis meals could have made
the pluuderers betray themselves.
sBe silent! have it."
Some geese were feeding before the win
dows; be went out and having seized the
largest, forced the ring down its gullet,
then declared that the large goose had swal
lowed the jewel. The goose was killed,
the diamond found. In the meantime, the
ivory merchant returned, and was incredu'
lous.
"Some crafty knave, o wife," said be
"either the thief himself, or his abettor,
has, with we'll concerted scheme, wrought
on your easy faith. But I'll soon try bis
powers of divination. I'll provide him with
q meal likewise.
No sooner said than done; between two
dishes the mysterious fare was hidden The
false copjuror was told to declare what was
the concealed cheer, on pain of being well
beaten should he fail
"Alas!" he muttered out, "Benhassan,
thou art pig; thou art dead" referring
to himself, and calling himself names.
"He's right" the merchant cried, "give
him purse of gold; 1 honor talents such
as his"
1t was pork in the dish. Thus did oul
gutton, by four random speeches, gain three
hearty meals, heavy purse, comfort fol
life, and a most brilliant reputation as Gun
ming man.
A WIFE's PRAYER. The following is
beautiful: "Lord, bless aud preserve that
dear person whom Thou hast chosen to be
my husband; let his life be long and bles.
sed, comfortable and holy; and let me also
become great blessing and comfort unto
him, sharer in all his joys, refreshment
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