Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-08-15
woMAN'S CRAFT vs.. NAYS DISHONESTY

There lived in the ancient ely Of Hand
han. n grocer who had a small stock in
trade, and by care and economy had laid
up small sum of money sufficient to cna-
bic him to make the holy pilgrimage to
Mecca the honored. according to the d.
vine command. which says: And Gcd
requireth of men that they visit the (holy) }
house every one who is able to do So
Accordingly he arranged all his affairs,
sold ont his stock, made his will, and tax
ing what money he should want for the
journey. he put the rest, amounting to
some five thousand dirhems, into a bag.
which he intended to deposit. in some safe
place. that he might have some capital
with which to reopen his business if he
should live 10 return, or to be given to
his heirs in case he should die by the way.
S"sbiis eg vas y .Ijnfi ii oe:ara., ahra. 10 la Il M
that he could do no better than deposit it
with the kadi; for the kadi,' said he to
himself, as the legal depository for the
property Of orphans and unprotected per-
sous, aud he will take care of it till l re-
.urn. or see it justly distributed !: among III
heirs il l do not return
So he went to the Mahkrmoh (kadi's
court, and after the usual salutations he
said: oh, my lord, the Kadi, am GO
ing on pilgrimage to Gods holy house.
and | wish to leave with you this sealed
bag containing five thousand dirhems; and
if it please God that L return in peace. |
will call for it, and if do not return, You
will make such disposal of il as you think
proper for he had full confidence in the
kadi's integrity.
'FerJ well. U5 son. said the Kad; ;
deposit your money in this close. ;Ist be-
hind where I am sitting So he laid the
Rag in the closet, and went his way.
The man then went on bis pilgrimage.
and it pleased God that after the expira-
ton of several months he should co:he
back safely; and when he Arrived at home
he remained quiet several days. receiving
the visits of his friends who came to con-
gratulate him upon the happy and safe
termination Of his long and wearisome
journey. He then bethought himself oi
the money he had deposited with the Kadi,
with which he intended to reopen his bus
iness; and it was all the capital ka ,,ad
left in the world. So he -.cnt to the Nah.
kemch aud salutc,i the Kadi, and said tc
/ MIN: 'Oh. my Lord, the Kadi, il yor
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 dirheml
| deposited with you
Il know nothing about any bag. nor AM
Eve thousand d;rhems.'
My lord, the kadi, am so and 30. til,
son Of so and so have just returned
from the pilgrimage 10 Gods holy house.
Very we'll, my son; God be praised
for your safety
But. my lord, don't you remember tha
before going on my pilgrimage | deposited
with you sealed bag cou.sining Eve thou
sand dirhems?
No, my son; l have no recollection o.
any such thing
.Beihink yourself, my lord: on such :
day l came here and left the money Will
you in that clcset just behind you.'
1t is quite evideut. my son, that you
head is turned !; you left no money here
nor have any knowledge of any sacf
thing. and you had better So abou; you
business
Upon this the poor man left The Meh
lemeh, and walked along the street yer,
sorrowful, scarcely knowing whittier b.
vent; for he had no witnesses, and it wa
quite evident that the kadi meant TO kcel
the money; and then bow was he to gc
capital to begin his business again, an,
how was be to support his family; and a
he thought on these things. the tears trick
led down bis checks. In this sad state
ne chanced to pass by the door of hous
which had 4 sea. on each side Of IL. au'
the ground in front Of 10 was sprinkled src
. s~sps. and. as the day was 10. and hs "a
very sorrcwful, be "a. dorm upon one Q
the seats BY the side Of this door. wiring
ing bis hands ind weeping. just then
. woman. closely veiled. came outofthe door
, and when she SAN him vringine his hssd
and teafs running down from his checks