'Through Persia on a side-saddle' [‎179] (212/360)

ARABABAD AND SAGOTCH
179
unlucky groom's shoe fitted best, and upon this circum
stantial evidence he was condemned to lose his right
hand, a punishment which would degrade him for the
rest of his life to the already overcrowded ranks of the
city beggars. Fortunately for him intercession was made,
with the happy result that a portion of his ear was cut
off instead, a sufficiently stern award, a European would
think, when he reflects that very probably the youth
was innocent, or the whole thing a plot got up by a
malicious fellow-servant to injure one whom he disliked
or who stood in his way.
But if a Persian gentleman is not in a position where
he acts as judge and ruler, or has not a large property
to attend to, he spends his time as a hanger-on of the
Governor or of any high official of his town, if there is
no royal court at which to make his obeisance. To
lounge about the hall in which the ruler is dispensing
justice is considered as a sign of respect to the powers
that be, and the settlement of the various cases is
watched with keen interest, the onlookers debating among
themselves how much money it will be necessary for a
client to offer the Governor to decide the case in his
favour, justice in Persia being entirely ruled by the man
who has the longest purse.
As some reward for his 'service,' as this method of
doing honour is termed, the hanger-on may partake of
a pillau which will be served at noon in the hall of
justice, after which the Governor will probably retire for
a siesta, and, if keen on getting money, will return later
to settle more cases, or, if not, will go for a slow amble,
attended by many parasites and servants, all intent on
flattering him in somewhat fulsome manner.