The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-27
The Merchants Escape.

A MERCHANT having disposed of his
IN entire stock at Hyderabad, in the
Deccan, was returning to Bombay Before
he could reach the nearest railway station,
long and dreary road of over a hundred
and fifty miles had to be traversed though
it was in much safer state than in pre-
vious years Yet still highway robberies
were not altogether of unfrequent occur
renee; and so to avoid the appearance
of being possessed of any wealth, as well
as for the sake of economy, he travelled on
foot, poorly dressed, and carried in bag
concealed about his person one thousand
rupees, in notes and coin, the result of his
speculation. Late one night he reached
small village, about midway. Hitherto
everything had gone well with him, and he
had not experienced the slightest molesta-
tion but as this place was so far from any
large town, he felt much afraid with the
large sum of money in his possession, to
trust himself among the villagers, thinking
that he ran too great risk of being plum
dered in his sleep.
A happy thought struck him that he
would go to the police-station and, having
told the jemadar, or head of police, of the
money he had, and his fear Of losing it, re-
quest nights lodging, where he might rest
in peace and safety. This was immediate
ly granted him. The jemadar consented,
but frankly confessed to him how glad he
would be when he took his departure, as he
felt sure he would hardly be able to sleep
wink at night, on account of his deep sense
of the responsibility he incurred.
Our friend the merchant entered the
station-house, and having put down his
bag Of rupees by way of a pillow, prepared
for a snooze ; but the jemadar, who seemed
good sort of fellow, said he could not
think of allowing his charge to go supper
less to bed if he would go out and have
some food, he, the jemadar, would watch
over his money until his return.
To this the merchant demurred, and said
that he would wait till his breakfast the
next morning he was very tired, and
wanted rest. The jem adar and the con-
the conversation, would not hear of this,
and were so pressing, that at last he yield
ed, and went out, On passing back of the
house, he heard voices of men in eager
discussion. Thinking he might overhear
something that might be Of consequence to
him, he looked about for some aperture or
means of whichhe might see and overhear
all that was going on inside. A light shin
ing through small hole near the roof
pointed out what he required so, eau
tiously mounting heap of stones piled
against the side of the house, he peeped
in.
The jemadar and several of the consta-
bles were in deep conversation, of which
he was the subject. 1t was the old case of
listeners never hearing good of themselves.
A constable was saying that he agreed to
the taking of the rupees but gave it as his
firm opinion that they must kill the man
first. This resolution was carried. Several
schemes were then mooted as to the best
means Of doing it, At last the jemadar
proposed the following, which was carried
Hem con. All the constables, with excep-
tion Of himself, should go at once to some
little distance off and dig grave, so that
everything might be in readiness, and that
no time might be lost in hiding the body.
Then as soon as the traveller had finished
his supper, and laid down TO rest, that he,
the jemadar, should lend him cloth to
cover him, face and all, from the mosqui-
toes, and should then lie down by his side
that as soon as the merchant was sound
asleep the jemadar should leave him, give
low whistle as signal that all was
ready that the constables should then
steal in, stab the merchant, and having
carried him out, bury him. aloi
IL may easily be imagined that the feel
ings Of the subject Of all this agreeable
conversation were not of the most comfort
able kind. He would have escaped there
and then, but unfortunately he had left the
bag of rupees with the intelligent police
officer; so that was altogether out of the
question. Cunning must be met by cum
ming, and he had not bought and sold all
these years in the bazaars without having
had his wits considerably sharpened. 50 he
as quickly as possible had his supper, and
returned to the police station. The jenna
dar politely offered him the use Of spare
cloth to cover him, which he gratefully
accepted.
On lying down the merchant noticed that
the jemadar had been fortifying himself