Page:Jerusalem's captivities lamented, or, A plain description of Jerusalem (2).pdf/23

 of the city of Smyrna had a son, who, with the help of the little learning the country could afford, rose to the post of naib, or deputy to the Cady, or mayor of the city, and as such, visited the markets, and inspected the weights and measures of all retail dealers. One day, as this officer was going his rounds, the neighbours, who knew enough of his father's character to suspect that he might stand in need of the caution, advised him to remove his weights for fear of the worst: but the old cheat depending on his relation to the inspector, and sure, as he thought that his son would not expose him to a public affront, laughed at their advice, and stood very calmy at his shop door, waiting for his coming. The naib, however, was well assured of the dishonesty and unfair dealing of the father, and resolved to detect his villany and make an example of him; accordingly, he stopt at the door, and said, coolly to him, "Good man, fetch out your weights, that we may examine them." Instead of obeying, the grocer would have fain put it off with a laugh, but was soon convinced his son was serious, by hearing him order the officers to search his shop, and seeing them produce the instruments of his fraud, which, after an impartial examination, were openly condemned and broken to pieces. His shame and confusion, however, he hoped would plead with a son to excuse him all further punishment of his crime, but even this, though entirely