Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (1).pdf/23

Rh 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 calmly at his shop-door, waited for his coming. The naib however was well assured of the dishonesty and unfair dealing of his 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 detain 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 arbitrary, the naib made as severe as for the most indifferent offender, for he sentenced him to a fine of fifty piasires, an to receive a bastinado of as many bows on the fries of his feet. All this was executed upon the spot, after which the naib leaping from his horse, threw himself at his feet, and watering them with his tears, addressed him thus: "Father have dis- charged my duty to my God, my sovereign, my country, and my station; permit me no by my respect and submission, to acquit the debt I owe a