The Placer herald., 1866-06-16
WCMANS' CRAFT vs.. MANS DISHON.
ESTY.
BY c. V. A. VAN DYCK, NJ. u.

There lived, in the ancient city Of Hand.
dan, grocer who bad small stock in trade,
and by care and economy had laid up sum
of money sufficient to enable him to make
the holy pilgrimage to Mecca the honored,
according to the divine command, which
says, "And God requireth of men that they
visit the lholy) house; every one who is able
to DO So" Accordingly he arranged all his
affairs, sold out his stock, made bis will,
and taking what money he should want for
the journey, he put the rest, amounting to
some five thousand dirhems. into bag,
which be intended to deposit in some safe
place, that he might have some capital with
which to reopen his business if he should
live to return, or to be given to his heirs in
case be should die by the way. Now while
he was thinking about place to deposit his
money, it occurred to him that he could do
no better than to deposit it with the Kadi;
"for the Kadi," said be to himself, "is the
legal depositary for the property of orphans
and unprotected persons and he will take
care of it until return, or see it is Justly
distributed among my heirs if do not re-.
turn"
So he went to the Mahkemeh (Kadts
court,) and after the usual sautatons he
said "Oh, my lord the Kadi, am going
on pilgrimage to Gods holy house, and
wish TO leave with you this sealed bag con-
tanning five thousand drhems; and if it
please God that return in peace, l will call
for it, and if do not return, you make such
a disposal Of it as you think proper" for
he had full confidence in the Kadi's integ.
ri,y.
Very well, my son." said the Kadi; ode.
post your money in this closet just behind
where am sitting" So he laid the bag in
the closet, and went bis way.
The man then went on pilgrimage, and it
pleased God that after the expiration of sew.
eral months he should come back safely;
and when he arrived at home he remained
quiet for several days, receiving the visits Of
bis friends who came TO congratulate him
upon the happy and safe termination of bis
long and wearisome journey He then bel
thought himself of the money he had de.
posted with the kadi, with which he intend.
ed to reopen his business; and it was all the
capital that he had left in the world. SO he
went to the Mahkemeb and saluted the Kadi.
and said to him. "Ob, my lord the kadi,
if you please, give me the bag of money
which deposited with YOU"
What bag of money!" said the Kadi,
with feigned surprise.
"Why. the bag Of five thousand dirhems
l deposited with you"
Il know nothing about any bag, nor any
five thousand dirhems"
MY lord the kadi, am so and SO, the
son of SO and so; have just returned from
the pilgrimage to Gods holy house"
Very well, my sou; God be praised for
your safety"
"But, my lord don't you remember that
before going on my pilgrimage deposited
with you a sealed bag containing five thou
sand dirhemsa"
No, my son; have no recollection of
any such thing"
"Bethink yourself my lord; on such day
came here and left the money with you IN
that close: just behind you"
ut is quite evident, my son, that your
head is turned; you left no money here
nor have any knowledge Of any such thing
and you had better 90 about your business"
Upon this the poor man left the Mahke-
meh, and walked along the streets very sor.
rowfu, scarcely knowing whittier he went;
for he had no witnesses, and it was quite evil
dent that the Kadi meant to keep the money;
and then how was he to get capital to begin
his business again, and how was he to sup
port his family; and as he thought on these
things the tea,s tliclled kown bis cheeks
In this sad state he chanced to pass by the
door Of house which had seat on each
side of it, and the ground in front of it was
sprinkled and swept, and, as the day was hot
and he was very sorrowful, he sat down up>
on one of these seats beside this door, wiring
ing bis hands and weeping. Just then
woman, closely veiled, came ont ofthe door,
and wien she saw him wringing his hands
and the tears running down bis cheeks, she
said: "What is the matter, my brothers"
He replied: Alas my calamity! Woe is me,
my calamity"
"What has happened to you?" said she:
"bas any one of your friends dede" But
he only replied: "Woe is me, my calami.
typ Then she invited him in the house,
and be entered and threw himself upon the
floor, wringing bis hands and slapping his
face, and saying: "Woe is me, alas! my cal.
amity" And the woman spoke comforting
words to him as we'll AS she could, not know
ing what was the cause of bis grief, until at
length be told her the story from beginning
to end, and how it ended by the Kadi's
denial of having received any money from
him.
us that ala" said She "Alli!" replied the
man; ''is not that enough9 What am l to
do? How am to get any capital9 How
am to support my family9"
"Listen to me-" replied the woman, "and
will show you how to recover your money
from the Kadi."
II am all attention" said he; "but have
no witnesses and can prove nothing; SO |
see no way to bring any action against the
Kadi."
ut would be easy enough" said she "to,
make thole'pin out OF a mast; but what
will you say to him who can make "a mast
..t af ala ~:,7 tbo~o bo1 hoap NIT,