The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-07-12
THE OvER-CREDULOUS.
A story Of nm Oriental Peasant snd Three
Artfui Koeues,


A story Of an Oriental Peasant snd Three
Artfui Rogues.
A peasant was conducting a goat 20
the city OF Bagdad. He was mounted
on mule and the goat followed him
with IA bell suspended from his neck.
IL shall sell these animals" said he TO
himself, "for thirty pieces OF silver;
and with this money ! can purchase a
new turban and rich vestment OF
tafTety, which / will tic with "a sash OF
purple silk. The young damsels will
then smile more favorably upon me;
and ! shall be the finest man at the
mosque"
Whilst the peasa Mt was thus antlci-
pating In idea his future enJOyments,
three artful roguos concerted strate-
gem 10 plumber him Of his present
treasures. As he moved slowly along,
one OF them slipped of the hell from
the neck OF the goat, and fastening IL
without being perceived TO the tail Of
the mule, carried away his booty.
The man, hearing the sound Of the
bell, continued 10 muse without the
least suspicion OF the loss which ho
had sustained. Happening, however,
n short while afterwards. 10 turn about
his head. he discovered with grief and
astOnishmcut, that the animal was
gone which constituted so consld
cradle n part Of his riches; and he in
quircd, with the utmost anxiety. after
his goat OF every traye Ter whom he
IN ct.
The second rogue now accOstcd him,
and said: 81 have seen In yOndcr field
a man In great haste, dragging along
with him goat" Tho peasant dis
mounted with precipitation, and re-
questcd the Obliging stranger 10 hold
the mule, that he might lose no time
in ovcrtaking the thief He instantly
began the pursuit, and having tray
erscd in vain the course that was
pointed out TO him. he came back
fatigucd and brcathlcss To the place
from whence ho set out, whore nc
found neither his animal nor the de-
ccitful infOrmcr TO whose care he had
intrustcd him. AS he walked pen
sivcly onward overwhelmed with
shame, vcxatiOn and disappointment,
his attention was reused by the loud
complaints and lamentations Of n poor
man who sat by the side Of II well. He
turned out Of the way 10 sympathize
with brother In ailliction, rccountcd
his own misfortuncs, and inquired the
cause Of that violent sorrow which
seemed TO opprcss him.
"Alas!" said the poor man, In the
most pitcous tone of voice, "as | was
resting hero TO drink, | dropped into
the watcr n caslIct full Of diamonds,
which ! was employed to carry to the
Caliph at Bagdad; and ! shall be put TO
death on the suspicion Of having SO
crctcd so valuable treasure"
"Why do not you jump into tho well
In search OF the casketPn cried tho
peasant, at the stupidity Of his now ac-
quaintanco. because it Is deep" ro-
piled the man, 'and | can neither dive
nor swim. But will you undertake
this lsnd Office for me, and | will re-
ward you with thirty pieces OF sill
vor."
The peasant accepted the offer with
oxultation, and. whilst he was putting
oil his cassOct, vast and slippers.
poured out his soul In Thanksgiving to
the holy prophet for his providential
succor But tho moment he plunged
into tho wator in search OF the pre-
tended casSot the man (who was one
OF the three rogucs who had concerted
tho plan Of robbing him) seized upon
his garments aud bore them of in So
curity TO his comrades.
Thus, through inattcntion, simplic-
ity and crcdulity was the unfortunate
Chaldoan dupcd Of his little posses
sions; and he hastcnod back TO his
cottage with no other covering than n
tattorod garment which he borrowed
on the road. jewish Messenger,