Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-09
Detecting a Thief.

Detecting a Thief.
Not long ago had occasion to penetrate
we'll into the northern part of Mesopota-
mia, says letter from Turkey in the bos-
ton Globe. One morning when arose
found that leather purse containing some
f34 had been taken from my saddle bags
during the night.
l at once spoke to the leader of the large
caravan with which was travelling. He
was an old Arab chief who had seen far
better days, but owing to war and famine
had been driven to the caravan business,
which, by the way, is often profitable
He was not at all excited by my tale, and
when had done quietly said: "The effendi
shall soon have his money again"
Ny reply was: "And then you shall have
your present.
'In about half an hour he called all the
men of our train together and made them
sit down on the ground before him in
row. He himself was perched upon bale
of goods, with his feet tucked under him,
and really looked patriarchal with his long
white flowing beard.
He explained to the men the nature of
the theft, and then added: IL have no
idea who has taken the Chelebi's money;
only the thief and Allah know that; but
as the American effendi is under my care
upon this journey I am bound to protect
him. 1t is u shame to me and against my
| L rr-s4h sc lnSe
| from your hands. The thief must be dis
covered and severely punished. Now |
propose to leave the question to the thlei
| and Allah to settle. Ny white donkey Che
rode a large white donkey, which is great
" priced in this country is now tied
alone in my tent yonder. That donkey Is
a direct descendant from the one upon
which Mohamet rode when he fled from
Mecca 10 Medina in the year of the
Hegira. He has wonderful wisdom. Al
lab is with him. He hates sin and sinners
The holy prophet often speaks to him.
"Now | command each one of you, ont
at time and entirely alone. to 60 to my
tent where the donkey is tied, close the
door so r0 one can see in, and then pul
the donkey's tail When a man who il
not guilty does this, all will be silent ant
well when the thief touches him he vii
kick and bray. The effendi will max
ready to mete out the proper punishment
That is all. 1t is spoken, let the mai
nearest the tent 20 first, and the other
follow in the same order, one by one. 81
lence y
The first man went. The deep stillnes
was broken only by the heavy breathin
of the twenty-six men men who sat in tina
solemn row.
No. / returned to his seat. and No. fol
lowed then another, and another, an
another, and yet not sound from the ten
or the donkey.
| began to feel anxious. had som
money up on that game. | watched tn
old judga. He seemed as calm and undis
turbed as the donkey in the tent seemed
to be. There was not a trace Of anxiet,
upon his face.
There were only two men left. The
one. / held my breath, for / knew tina
| now we must hear rumpus. But, no
he came out and took his seat again, an
| ali eyes were turned upon the old man.
| had expected that in some way the oil
fe ellow would find my money but he ha
not only failed, but had put himself an
me in a most Ridiculous position positio
before the caravan. Our influence woul
eertainly be injured by this act wa
chagrined, and angered, and rose up to g
The oil d man as calm as hojah, motion
ed me to be seated. / sullenly obeye'
He then in firm voice told the men
stand. each one hold holding his hans
open before him together with the pain
up. They mechaaically did as he ordere'
r in mute astonishment, and l must COME
that could not make out at all what
, was up to.
He arose and, beginning at the lett end
the row. held his face for couple OF secon'
, in the upturned palms Of tbs first ma
The operation he calmly repeated with u
second and third
When he came to the sixteenth mac
suddenly lifted his face from his hand
clutched the fellow by the shoulders, al
!. pushed him out Of line.
"Thief! dogw said he in voice
thunder. "Where have you put the i'
| eign effendTs money! Bring it at once,
! | | will break yonr vile head and water
sands with your blood y
He gave the trembling man his hber'
and in less than nDe minute L had !
purse that was lost.
was confounded. although ! d
closely watched every move was yet
able to understand how tue old aheik
discovered the thief. The next day as
. rode along neaked him to explain 20
the process of the revelation he sai
, al prepared the donkey for the trai
shaking h il tail for a few moments IN
tea of an herb that grows in apunoai
about here. 1t has tenacious though
1 strong odo r." :,
= l saw through it all. OF eour.- t"e y, !.
/ did not pull the tail and all the res.
r and by smellin.g g of the hands ho knew wi
was afraid of the donkey's kick and bra
/ leave it to my readers to ind,
: whether the old man did not have pret,
, good working knowledge of human natur
|
r.