Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-14
SHARP CAMEL TRADERS.
Develop All the Wiles Of David
Harum Horse Trader.

Norman Duncan tells of q nights
entertainment in Damascus, and intro
duces many strange tales showing that
the camel trader of the East is even
more willy than his horse trading
brother of the West.
Here is one of the camel traders
best tales:
In my life | have roved much-from
the Lebanon hills, through the country
of the Druses, and to the southwark
journey of ninety days into the Great
desert where no Christian may go. To
Nejb went l in my youth. with my
uncle, a rich man, who dWelt there.
dealing in camels; and to him came a
merchant of Damascus with 800 came's
for sale, the which he had driven for
thirty days over the perilous desert,
having heard that the sickness had
created a need OF beasts in Nejd. I
have come with the 800 camels,' said he
to my uncle. and now | must sell them
at price or lose the fortune | have
invested in the enterprise. God for
give me this undertaking, which has
been too great for my strength. | am
worn out with travelling and in haste
to return. In Damascus said he, they
ask $4S for a camel. but l am 50
weary of this business that I demand
no more than $40 for each Of my herd.
1T is reasonable thing my uncle
answered. but | must first consider the
matter
"Thereupon the merchant departed,
and presently my uncle called me from
the house.
l., Il 1n !, hoo RI
| this man. but he has not observed you.
! He is a simple man. now In hard case.
| indeed. being able to drive his starved
beasts no farther, and God has enlight-
ened me with plan to outwit him. Do
YOU ride into the desert. where he may
not encounter you before the time, and
| at this hour tomorrow do you return
and present me with this writing, rid
| ing in haste and as one come from a
great distance. If all goes well we
| shall presently have much to thank
God for All this / did-and, indeed
with much art. | came hot and dusty
| with the mare in a lather, galloping a.
| with amessage of warning against sud
den attack: and / feel from the back II
my horse at the very feet Of my uncle
and the merchant from Damascus
crying. God be thanked that l have
arrived. | have sped far and most
cruelty with this letter. being com
manded to deliver it in haste by your
agent in Damascus 1 am busy will
this good merchant answered my
uncle and will read the letter anon.
But besought him by the prophet t.
open the message, lest some misfortune
befall him: and having INDUCED me he
gave great thanks to God for hi:
compassion. and spread the new!
which the letter contained. whereaftel
he came again to the anxious
merchant.
God have mercy on you!" said he
I have no need of your camels.'
1.-THE merchant demanded an ex-
PLANTATION
1.-The price of camels'. answered m!
uncle, has fallen to $40 in the came
market of Damascus. Here!' said he
read the letter for yourself. l grievt
for you, friend, for it seems indeed
that God would castigate you for some
sin. Comet said he, / am an honest
| man, with a heart of compassion fol
the unfortunate. and though l hesitate
to interfere with the obvious purpose
of God, | will take pity and risk my
souls health by giving you SIG a head
| for your camels The end of it was,
Abdullah concluded that when they
! had bargained for seven days my uncle
gave $24 for each of the 300 camels and
profited much thereby. for there was a
great need of beasts in Nejd at that