The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-11-07
Credulity In India.
An amusing anecdote, re-

An amusing anecdote, related by Bish.
op Heber, gives us q good idea OF tae
foibies and ignorance Of one OF the petty
princes nf India and the meanness OF the
minister who managed his affairs. The
fondness of the king for mechanics, says
the bishop, led him to try some expert
ments, in which he fell in with 9 Mussnl-
man engineer Of pleasing adress and
ready talent, as well as conMderable,
though unimproved, genius for such
pursuits. The king took so much de-
light in conversing with this man that
the minister began to fear rising com.
petitorsas well knowing that the mean
ness. Of his own birth and functions had
been no obstacle to his adyancemenf:
He therefore sent the engineer word that
if he were wise, to leaye Lucknow.
( The poor man did SO, removed to
place ten miles down the river, and get
up q shop there. The king, on inqulr. Z
ing after his humble friend, was told
that he was dead of cholera, ordered ss
gratuity to. be sent to his widow and
children, and no more was said. Some
time after the King sailed down the river
ionhis brig of war, as far as the place
where the new shop stood. he was
struck with the different signs OF neat,
ness and ingenuity which he observed
npassing, made his men draw IN shore
and, toshiB astonishment, saw the engln.
Ger, who stood trembling, and with
Joined hands, to receive him. After
short explanation, he ordered him 70
come on board, and turned in mgh
anger to Lucknow, and calling the min
lister, asked him again If he was certain
that such man was dead. Undoubt-
edly, was the reply. ~ myself ascer-
tanned the fact and conveyed your males.
tvs bounty to the widow and children.
" Harumzada, said the king, bursting
into fury, look there, and never see
my face any more" The vizier turned
round and saw how matters were circum-
stanced. .2seatya a4
With terrible glance, which the king
could not see, but which spoke volumes
to the poor engineer, he imposed Silence
on the latter then turning roun gam
to his master, stopping his nose, and
with many muttered ordinations OF
".God bs merciful !" "Satan is strong r
"In the name of God keep the demon
from me I" he said, I" I hope your majes-
ty has not touched the horrible object 2?
"Touch him." said the king; ethe
sight of him is enough to convince me
Of your rascality."n "Istufrallah !" said
the fayorite, and does not your majesty
perceive the STRONG smell of q dead car
cass ?" The king still stormed;; but his
voice faltered, and curiosity and anxiety
began to mingle with his indignation.
I" Il is certain, refuge of the world, re-
sumed the minister, /" that your majes-
tvs late engineer, with whom be peacei
is dead and buried but your slave know
eth not who hath stolen his body from
the grave, or what vampire itis who now I.
inhabits it to the terror Of all good Mus
sulmans. Good were it that be was run
through with q sword before your mai.
esty's face, if it were not unlncky TO shed
blood in the auspicious presence. / pray
your majesty to dismiss Tis I will see
him conducted back to his graye-it may
be that when that is sopened, he may en-
ter itagsin peaceably." The king, coz
fused and agitated, knew not what tosay
or order, The attendants led the terri
fed mechanic out Of the room, and the
v7izie., throwing him purse, swore with
q horrible oath, that "f he did not put
himself on the otherside of the countrys
frontier before the next morning, If he Z
ever trod the earth again, it should be
as a vampire, indeed" This, / think,
no bad specimen OF the manner in which
an absolute sovereign may be persuaded
out of his own senses.