Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-07-16

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"a purse containing two hundred
pieces of gold.
"Was no mention made of an en-
erald1"
"None. The purse alone was
named.
"Ebn.Aziz," said the Oadi, eff
thy purse contained an emerald, as
thou sayest, why didst thou not bid
the Crier cry that alsO2"
The crowd murmured approval at
this question, but the merchant was
ready with an answer.
"Effendi," he said, "the emerald
was Of great size, aud uncut. l hop
ed the finder of the purse might
prove ignorant Of its value.
MANY would have returned the
purse for half the gold it contained.
Had l proclaimed the value of the
value of the emerald, the chances of
seeing it again would have been less,
and, besides, l should have been
obliged TO offer a greater reward"
"There speaks the miser," cried
some one in the crowd. Ebn-Azlz
smiled. He cared nothing for the
opinion of others, so long as his ex-
PLANTATION was believed-and it was.
"Boy," said the Cadi, turning to
Yusuf, "hast thou this emersldF'
"No, Efendi. l know nsught of
the stone"
"Let him be searched" said the
Cadi.
Two men laid hold of Yusuf, and
quickly ransacked his clothing. Then
one seized his turban, and with a
quick motion unrolled it. The gold
piece that was tucked away in the
lining fell to the floor with ringing
sound, to the amazement Of the be-
holders.
"AhaI" cried Ebn.Aziz. "He
hath taken toll Of the purse, then,
and but moment before he swOre
that he had not opened it"
The case for a moment looked
brighter for the merchant.
ut is mineI'' exclaimed Yusuf, pas
sionstely.
Thine" rejoined Ebn. "What
hath beggar to do with gOld' Doubt
less thou wilt say the emerald is thine
also, directly
This taunt had the effect the mer.
chant intended. The crowd began to
think, that perhaps, after all, Ebn.
Aziz was right. The Oadl, too, was
on the boy. But the friend
of Yusufs father had not forsaken
him.
"Efendi," he said, "the boy
speaks truly. I myself gave him
this gold piece but yesterweek, in ex-
change for coppers, that he might
with more ease and safety preserve
his little hoard"
"Ebn.Aziz," said the Cadi, chow
many gold pieces hast thou in thy
pursef"
"I-I have not counted falte red
the merchant.
Count them. stayl Count 30 that
l may see thee. "
The merchant poured out the gold
pieces before the Cadi, and began with
trembling fingers to drop them back,
one by one, into the purse. There
was two hundred-not one missing
The Cadi turned to one Of the
scribes who sat near, and dictated an
order which the scribe engrossed on
the roll. Then, at a sign from the
Cadi, the clerk rose, and, raising his
hands to command silence, cried in
loud voice:
"In the name OF Allah In the
name of Allah In the name Of Allah
Hear ye the judgment of the most
iust Cadi in the matter concerning the
merchant Ebn.Aziz and the boy Yu.
sui"
The crowd pressed nearer to the
divan. Ebn-Aziz glanced turhVely
at the Oadi, but his crafty eyes could
find no trace of favor or displeasure
in the judges impassiVe face.
"Ebn-Aziz," said the Cadi, "listen
attentively to me; for my decision in
this case resteth on thy answer. Re-
too, that the reputation Of
this fatherless lad is at stake, and Al.
lab, who watcheth over the orphan,
hath said: Thou shalt not bear false
witness.' Therefore, bethink thee be-
fore thou answerest. Art thou cer-
tain the purse thou lost contained an
emsraldl"
"As Allah is my judge answered
Ebn, II am certain
"Then," said the Cadi, "The mat