Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-11-28
lie WAS A CLEVER THIEF.
Ar Exhibition of skill Given to Fa-
nous Bedouin Chief.

Ar Exhibition of skill Given to Fa-
nous Bedouin Chief.
The present age is not unique in its ex-
hibit of skillful thieves and thieviug.
Professors of this taking trait of charac-
ter have been rampant always. The
principles ar. eternally the same; only
the form changes.
1t is long distance from Philadelphia
20 Arabia, but in the latter country, as
an old story relates, lived famous Bed
ouin chief, Sal Ammonyac. He was
patron of art in all its higher shapes.
Once they brought to him handsome
young prisoner Of war.
Il will give you your liberty, p" said the
shiek, If you deserveit. What can you
do? Are you an artist?'
No poet, painter, musician am l."
was the youths reply. Il have but one
talent. / can steal the sheet from the
bed you lie on"
"Ah, ha! good!" exclaimed the chief
tain. "Bim-bam, he continued, turning
to his vizier, get up some job to try this
youths attachments. We must reward
merit where we see it, no matter what
its kind"
Bib-bam reflected few moments and
then propounded his plan.
You have just presented, oh. sheik,
priceless diamond oyour beautiful favor
ite, Fatima. Borrow it from her and
take two Of your most faithful followers.
Give it into their hands. Promise them
that II for three nights they successfully
watch and preserve it from the skill of
this youth, you will make them captains
of your force. 1t will rouse their am
bition, and ambition is one of the most
powerful of the passions.
Good, was the chiefs reply "Solet
il be-.
That night the soldiers guarded the
precious stone. The next morning the
" u.h brought it-stolen-to the presence
of the sheik.
How do you explain it, wisest Bim-
bam?" the latter inquired of the vizier.
That functionary had no answer
ready. at may be-" he ventured at last,
the guards know not how costly was the
jewel they watched. You do, oh, sheik.
Tonight, then, guard it yourself, for av-
arice is stronger than ambition.
that night he watched beside the diamond
himself. But it was as before In the
morning the youth brought it, filched
again. into his presence.
Astonishment was no name for tho
feeling that reigned in the royal estab-
lishment. Bim-bam was to again tighten
the situation with the sun of his intellect.
The vizier, after getting off the Arabic
equivalent for I'm stuck several times,
at last hit upon another suggestion.
After all, oh, Possessor of Countless
Camels, you were not the best guard.
Remember the stone was not yours, but
the beautiful Fatima's. Let her watch
tonight. She is bound to guard it with
her life, for both ambition and avarice
are weaker than vanity"
Excellent, by the Prophet" cried the
chieftain; we'll fool this cunning youth
at last"
Fatima who really was worried over
the possible loss of her ring, was more
than willing to undertake its protection.
Accordingly she started in on the vigil.
Early the next morning Bim-bam
rushed into the tent.
@Well?"
THE diamond is stolen and the youth
disappeared.
"Stolen-gone almost shrieked the
old chief. What will my darling Fatima
say?"
II don't think you need bother, oh,
Shiek, what she thinks, remarked Bim-
BAN dryly, "as she has gone with the
youth, probably to keep the diamond
company. "-Philadelphia Times.