The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-12
"A CUNNING TURCO.

Antry In the French service. He was tai
and raw boned, fearing nothing. believing
but lntle In Mohammed, the prophet, and
not at al In Allah.
He drank wine and ate pork, two things
held In abomination by the Mohammodans
ho swore In bad Arabic and worse French
lin fact, no was the most perfect black
guard In the whole body Of Turoos, which
were 10, 100 strong, and that 10 saying Q
great deal
Ben Brahim lived happy and contented
until one day, while passing before the
brio a -brac pawn Office and dry goods shoT
of YussufY. he saw, hanging In the win
dow some gold watches, Thon his happi
ness was gone, for one thought invaded his
mind 80 completely that 30 times day he
exclaimed loudly, BY the prophets beard,
must have one!'
lieutenant in the same regiment, and hi
went to him and told him story about
his mother being sick and Needy. and the
lieutenant, who loved his aunt, gave him
10 francs, with the recommendation tc
use it well, thing that the Turco did
much to the sorrow OF Yussuff, in whose
shop he appeared five minutes later.
Yussuff was alone, and, seeing the Turco
entering his store, no arose to meet him,
not through Difference to the caller, but
from knowledge that the Turoos arc the
greatest providers OF Africa.
II salute you, Rabbi Yussuff," said
Mohammed, touching his fez.
"I salute you, Turco," said Yussuff
politely. "What do you wantE'
IT came to pay you 10 francs for the 2
you loaned me n fortnight ago." answered
the Turco.
"Did loan you money! do not recol-
lect to have seen you before"
"You don't Well, then, you were more
drunk than / was when borrowed the
money from you. But no matter. owe
you 12 francs, and there 1t is."
Then the Turco put IL francs in the 9th
er's hand. Yussuff took it just as an Arab
priest entered the shop.
Yussuff saluted the newcomer with the
greatest respect, as he was one of his best
customers, and said:
"Will you allow me to present this Turco
to you as one of the few honest men we
have In this town."
The Arab looked with astonishment on
the pair.
"Well, wellr' thought he. "What arc
we coming to II Turco turns to be so
honest as to be praised by YussuffP" Then
he asked, "May inquire what this Turco
has done to deserve your commentators,
Yussuff?'
= ~ loaned him 12 francs and forgot all
about it. Many would have taken advan
tage of my lack of memory, but he did
not, for he has paid me like an honest
man that he is." &
"My friend" said the Arab to the Tur-
co, twill you favor me with your company
to my house?"
Mohammed Ben Brahim answered tho
as soon as Rabbi Yussuff had returned his
pledge he would follow him.
"a pledge" cried Yussuff, turning pale
"You have given me none."
"Whatl' replied the Turco Indignantly.
"That gold watch there Is mine" And
Mohammed pointed to q watch worth
about $50.
"That watch was bought by me from .
chief now dead," yelled Yussuff.
"Ypssuff, interposed the Turco, "it
seems to me that this chief died very con-
yepiently for you; Will you give me my
4. NO I" aannsswefed Yussuf.
"All right, sir. I will have you arrest
ed ON tho spot" And opening the door Mo-
hammed went into the street calling for
the police.
The police took Yussuff by the throat,
and the whole party left the store to 60 to
the Judge.
"What is the matterf" inquired the
Arab magistrate.
"Your wisdom, this man has robbed
that Turco," replied the officer.
"Turco, how did the thing happenr In
quired the judge.
"Your wisdom, this man loaned me z
francs ON my gold watch. I returned him
his money, together with 8 francs as in
terest, and now he refuses to give me my
watch"
"How did you get gold watchf"
"Your wisdom, it Is a present from my
dying father"
"Did any one see you paying the money!
"Your wisdom, this holy Arab was pres
ent.''
"Arab, is 1t true what the Turco is say
ingf"
"Your wisdom, he has spoken the truth,
replied the Arab. "Yussuff introduced TIN
complainant to me, with the remark tina
he was ono of the few honest men we hav
In this town."
"Yussuff, do you deny the accusation
made against your"
"Your wisdom, do deny It."
"Did you take l2 francs from the com
plsinantS" :.
"Your wisdom, did"
"For whatS"
"Because / loaned II to him."
"Without any pledgeS"
Eyes, your wisdom, without an
pledge"
"Ofiicers, go to Yussuff's house an
bring here nll tho gold watches he has,
said the Judge.
The officers went and soon returned
bringing about 80 gold watches, whic
they spread before the judge.
Look and see II your timepiece Is there,
said the magistrate to the Turco.
The cunning Turco advanced, and, will
out any hesitation, took, not the best, b,
the third from tho best.
The judge, who had eyed sharply the q
ton of the Turco, seeing him discard q
costliest watch TO take another inferior
value, felt convinced Of the justice OF h
claim to the object Of his selection. i