Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/76

The Crier had been ordered to offer me Fifty Sheriffs by one of the richeſt Jewellers in Town, who had only made that offer to ſound me, and try if I was well acquainted with the Value of the Goods I expoſed to Sale. He had no ſooner received my Anſwer, than he carried the Crier to the Juſtitiary Judge, and ſhewing him the Necklace; Sir, ſaid he, here’s a Necklace that was ſtole from me; and the Thief under the Character of a Merchant, has had the Impudence to offer it to Sale, and is at this Minute in the Bezeſtein. He’s willing to take Fifty Sheriffs for a Necklace that’s worth Two Thouſand, which is a plain Argument that ’tis ftole.

The Judge ſent immediately to ſeize me; and when I came before him, he ask’d me if the Necklace he had in his Hand was not the ſame that I had expoſed to Sale in the Bezeſtein. I told him it was, Is it true, ſaid hey that you are willing to deliver it for Fifty Sheriffs? I anſwer’d, it was, Well, ſaid he, in a ſcoffing way, give him the Baſtinado; he’ll quickly tell us, with all his fine Merchant’s Cloaths, that he’s only a downright Thief; let him be beat till he confeſſes. The Violence of the Blows: made me tell a Lye, I confeſs’d, tho’ it was not true, that I had ſtole the Necklace; and preſently the Judge ordered my Hand to be cut off.

This made a great Noiſe in the Bezeſtein, and I was ſcarce returned to my Houſe, when my Landlord came. My Son, ſaid he, you ſeem to be a young Man well educated, and of good Senſe; how is it poſſible you could be guilty of ſuch an unworthy Action! You gave me an Account of your Eſtate your ſelf and I do not doubt but the Account is juſt. Why did not you ask Money of me, and I would have lent it you? However, ſince the thing has happened, I can’t allow you to lodge longer in my Houſe; you muſt go and ſee for other Lodgings. I was extremely troubled at this; and intreated the Jewller with Tears in my Eyes to let me ſtay three Days longer in his Houſe which he granted.

Alas, ſaid I to my ſelf, this Misfortune and Affront is inſufferable; how ſtall U dare to return to Mouſſoul? There’s nothing I can ſay to my Father, will perſwade him that I am innocent.

Scheherazade perceiving Day, ſtopped here; but continued her Story next Day as follows.