THE great wealth of the late Joseph Natterstrom, of New-York, was connected with several remarkable incidents, which, under the pen of a writer of ordinary imagination, might grow into a romantic tale.

      The merchant of the United States frequently traces the origin of his prosperity to foreign climes. He holds a magic wand in his hand, which reaches to the extremity of the globe; and, if he waves it judiciously, he levies, from all quarters of the world, princely revenues. The restless sea and its richest contents, desolate islands, and the most circuitous rivers, the cultivated territory and the interminable wilderness, are as much the merchant's, as the rain and sunshine, the warm breezes and the fattening dews are the property of the husbandman. But the embryo fortune of Mr. Natterstrom was not of mercantile origin. It came from the heart of Arabia, and grew out of an incursion of the Wheehabites — a reforming and fanatic sect of Mahometans, who date from Abdul Wheehab, of the last century. This man, like Martin Luther, thought a reformation in morals and discipline had become necessary.

      About the year 1790, Ebn Beg and Ibrahim Hamet were returning home from Mecca to Abou Jbee, a village not far from the Rumleah mountains. They had united religion and trade together, as is sometimes done here by the sons of Mercury. In performing their pilgrimage to Mecca with a caravan, they furthered both their temporal and eternal interests; for, on their return from Mecca, they encountered a party of those children of the desert, who believe they have a divine right to all the goods of this world, which they can conquer; and what they spare, they credit to their magnanimity and generosity; and herein they do not greatly differ from most other people. But the caravan of Beg and Hamet proved too powerful for the children of Hagar, who became the prey of the stranger. The spoils of that day enriched Beg and Hamet, for those Arabs had shortly before enriched themselves at the expense of another caravan.

      With joyful hearts these two men approached home, having left the caravan at the intersection of the road that leads to Aleppo; rejoicing that their danger was over, that they had honorably obtained an accession of wealth, and that they had become entitled to the coveted name of Hadgee. But there soon came a blast from the desert, which converted the shady spot, with which they had encompassed themselves, into a sand-heap. When within a day's journey from home, they met a man whom they knew. It was Ali Beker. Said they, "Is there peace at Abou Jbee?" "God is great, there is peace at Abou Jbee," said Ali Beker, "the peace of the grave." He turned his head away, and said no more. Their hearts withered within them. Soon after they met another man; as he approached them, he looked at them earnestly for some time, and then said, "Do I behold the unhappy Beg and Hamet!" and he tore off his turban and flung it on the ground. They passed on, neither Beg nor Hamet speaking to each other. At length they approached the confines of their village, and learned the whole. The Wheehabites had been there, and, being powerfully resisted and nearly overcome, they left nothing but a heap of ruins to tell the story. Beg and Hamet were now alone on the face of the earth. They made a circuit around Abou Jbee, took a last look, and passed on to Smyrna. There they remained some time, and studied the French and English languages.

      From Smyrna they sailed to Marseilles; and there they assumed the European dress, and studiously conformed to the manners of that people — a seemingly impossible change, from a Turk to a Frenchman. From Marseilles they proceeded on foot to Paris, and, after remaining there a few months, they saw such strange mistakes made, that, fearing they might lose their heads, without a chance for explanation, they passed on to London, where they felt quite at home. There they remained during the winter of 1793. Chancing to meet Captain Dixon of the New-York Packet, who had been in the Smyrna trade, they became attached to him from an accidental expression which fell from his lips at the New-York Coffee House. Some one had asserted that there were not twenty merchants in the city of New-York, who would pass for genuine merchants on the Royal Exchange of London — such was the mercantile honor of Englishmen. An appeal was made to Capt. Dixon, who, waving a direct answer, said, "If you wish to find mercantile honor in perfection, surpassing the comprehension of a European, you must go to Turkey. A Turkish merchant's word is better than a Christian merchant's bond; the word is sacred; the bond may be disputed. I have seen many a Turk, in whose skin you might sew up half a dozen very decent Christians." "Allah!" said Beg, in rapture, an infidel has spoken the truth! I wish the Prophet could hear that!" This incident led to an acquaintance with Capt. Dixon, who gave them such an account of the New World, as excited their curiosity to see it. Accordingly they sailed soon after, with Capt. Dixon, for New-York.

      Beg and Hamet now began to speak the English language pretty fluently; and, concealing that they were Turks, they passed through the principal cities and towns, unconscious of the fact, for very decent Christians. Among the clans of New-England they passed current for two Dutchmen of New-York or Pennsylvania; and at Baltimore they were supposed to be two Scotchmen, so prudently and discreetly did they demean themselves. They spent a year in the United States, the chief of the time at New-York; and during that time they found ample food for their minds. Hamet told Capt. Dixon, that he had brought him not only to a new world, but to a new race of men; a people not really civilized, yet far from savage ; not very good, nor altogether bad; not generally intelligent, nor altogether ignorant; a calculating people, who reckoned up their rights as often as they did their money. In fine, said Hamet, I perceive this is a very young country, but a very old people.

      As Beg and Hamet travelled through the states, they were surprised to find so much order and tranquillity among a people without any apparent government; for, during nearly the whole year, there was no appearance of any government. In divers provinces, each of them bigger than the pachalic of Damascus, a few men would meet once a year, wind up the government like a clock, and leave it to run at random; for, after the public agents, like a dispersed caravan, had hastened home, all signs of government vanished. "How different," said Beg, "from all other countries! where the first object of government is, to make itself seen, heard and felt; whereas, among this strange people, you can neither see, hear, nor feel the government."

      Beg was greatly diverted in attending a lawsuit at Boston. There were five reverend judges, he said, with twelve men to help them, aided by four counsellors of the law, who consumed a whole day, and part of a night, in settling a case of twenty-five dollars; and said Beg, laughing, the next morning, the jury, as they called the twelve men, came solemnly into court, and said they could not agree,. and never should agree; whereas, said Beg, one of our cadis alone would have settled it in twenty minutes.

      A few days previous to Beg and Hamet's return to Smyrna, as Beg was passing down Wall-street, he heard a man say, as he was leaving one of the offices, "I don't believe there is an honest man in New-York." "O, yes there is," said another, as he was passing, "there is Joe Natterstrom." At that moment, an unaccountable trance-like feeling came over Beg, and a voice, which seemed to him audible, said, "Beg, before you leave the country, see Natterstrom and prove his honesty." Beg had not proceeded far, before he saw two men in conversation on the side walk; and, as he passed them, he overheard one of them say, "Can I trust him with so much money? are you sure he is honest?" "Yes," said the other, "honest as Joe Natterstrom." This second incident, to a Mussulman, who believed in predestination, was as imperative as the voice of the Prophet. Beg responded aloud, "I will see Natterstrom, and prove his honesty." Presently after he heard two men disputing, in Broadway, with no little passion, and, as he approached them, one said, "I will refer it to Joe Natterstrom." "Agreed said the other." "So," said Beg, "this Natterstrom is also a man of judgement. I will certainly see Natterstrom and prove his honesty."

      The next day, Beg inquired for Natterstrom, and soon learned that Natterstrom had become a proverb. "As honest as Joe Natterstrom," was in every body's mouth; but he could find no one, who could give him any account of Joe Natterstrom. All agreed that no man in New-York was better known than Joe Natterstrom, yet no one, of whom Beg inquired, could identify him, or tell where he resided. "Pray, Sir," said Beg, to a merchant on the Exchange, can you point out to me Joseph Natterstrom?" "No," said he, "I cannot; but his name and reputation are perfectly familiar to me; ask almost any man, and he will tell you where he is to be seen." To the same question, another replied, "I have often heard of honest Joe Natterstrom; he must be known to almost every body; but for my part, I do not recollect ever to have seen him; ask that gentleman, across the way, in a drab coat; he knows every body." Beg, then accosted the gentleman with the drab coat. "Pray, Sir, can you point me to Joseph Natterstrom?" "Honest Joe Natterstrom, do you mean?" "Yes, Sir," said Beg, "honest Joe Natterstrom." "O, yes, I know Natterstrom," said the gentleman in drab, "every body knows Natterstrom; there is no man in New-York better known than Natterstrom." "Sir," said Beg, "can you describe him to me?" "I would have affirmed, a minute ago," said the gentleman in drab, "that I well knew honest Joe Natterstrom, but I must confess I cannot describe him to you, and do not distinctly recollect that I ever saw him, but almost every body knows Natterstrom." Beg was astonished. "Here," said he, " is a man honest to a proverb, and no one knows him. Honest men must be very plenty in New-York."

      Beg now thought Natterstrom must be known at some of the banks; and he inquired at the City Bank, if Joseph Natterstrom ever transacted business there? "Do you mean honest Joe Natterstrom?" said the cashier. "Yes," said Beg. "No," replied the cashier, "but we should be happy to accommodate Mr. Natterstrom if he wants a loan." The cashier of the Manhattan Bank said he had paid many a check drawn in favor of Joseph Natterstrom, but did not recollect ever to have seen Natterstrom; nor did he know at what bank he negotiated his business; but said, "Joseph Natterstrom can have any accommodation at this bank." In short, Natterstrom was known by reputation, at every bank in the city, and it seems, could have commanded their funds, but none of the officers knew him.

      The next Sunday, Beg was certain he had obtained a clue to the person of Natterstrom. The clergyman, on whose preaching Beg attended, (for, though a Mussulman, Beg believed a full third of what he heard,) spoke of Natterstrom by name, as a man of such integrity, that his name had become synonimous with honesty. But, to Beg's surprise, the next day, the preacher told him he did not know the man, nor where he resided, though he supposed he was the most familiarly known man in New-York: for he often heard the children in the streets mention the name of honest Joe Natterstrom. Beg, now in despair of ever finding Natterstrom, began to suppose he was an imaginary being; and, as there was not an honest real man in New-York, the people had conjured up a phantom, and given it the name of Joe Natterstrom. Yet this was not the fact; for, a few days after, as Beg was walking through Pearl-street, he saw two men in conversation, and heard one of them say; "There goes Joe Natterstrom; let it be settled by honest Joe Natterstrom."

      Beg now followed Natterstrom in order to obtain a knowledge of his person. "Allah!" said Beg, after he had obtained a distinct view, "he has the mark of the Prophet; he would not be ashamed to look the Sultan in the face!" The next day, Beg, with studied secrecy, Hamet himself ignorant of it, disguised himself like an old man tottering on the brink of the grave. He painted his face more cadaverous than the natural look of death. Then, taking a bag of gold in his hand, he sought an opportunity about twilight, when Natterstrom was just leaving his compting room, and slowly opening the door, he reached, with an apparent feeble arm and trembling hand, the bag to Natterstrom, and said only, "Occupy till Ebn Beg comes," disappearing in a moment, leaving Natterstrom in reasonable doubt, whether the occurrence was natural or supernatural. However, he immediately untied the bag, and, to his astonishment, counted five hundred English guineas.

      Natterstrom stood sometime in a revery, many unutterable things probably passing in his mind. He then reached his leger, and entered therein, "October 21st, 1794, Received of Mr Eben Beck five hundred guineas to be occupied for his benefit." Beg and Hamet, the next week, left the United States, and returned by the way of Liverpool to Smyrna, where Beg established himself as a merchant.

      The next morning Natterstrom opened a new account and placed the money to the credit of Ebenezer Beck, considering himself merely as the agent of Beck. From that day Natterstrom kept Beck's concerns and his own entirely distinct; and from that day Natterstrom was esteemed the most fortunate man in the world, but Natterstrom pronounced himself the most unfortunate. The money of Beg all prospered. It was like a snow ball in a damp day rolling down the white mountains. It doubled and trebled itself like an assemblage of clouds driven by contrary winds; while Natterstrom's own property was dissipated like a mist in summer. He seldom saw his own money but once; the winds, the waves and rocks in the sea, all conspired against Natterstrom. The same tempest which wrecked Natterstrom's ship on the rock Rodondo, drove Beg's into a famished port in the West Indies, where they weighed silver against flour. The commissions on Beg's adventure retrieved his late loss and gave him the command of a great sum as the agent of Beg.

      Natterstrom was among the first to embark in trade to the Levant. The situation of the commercial world was most inviting to the commerce of the United States. All the world was a new milch cow to the merchant. While all Europe were fighting for this cow, and one nation was seizing her by the horns, another by the extremity, a third by her fore leg, and a fourth by her hind leg, the merchant of the United States was sitting down under her, milking, quietly as a milkmaid. Natterstrom freighted two ships, one on his own, the other on Beck's account, and sent them to Smyrna. Capt. Dixon commanded Beck's, and Capt. Hathaway, Natterstrom's ship. On their arrival in the roadstead of Smyrna, they hoisted the flag of the United States, which excited no little curiosity on shore, for very few of the Smyrniots had ever seen our national colors. It soon came to Beg's ears that two ships, from the new world, deeply laden, were at anchor in the offing. He was immediately on board the nearest, which proved to be Capt. Hathaway's; and, learning they were both from New-York, he was greatly delighted. Beg was invited into the cabin, and, at his request, was shown an invoice of the cargo. When he had perused it, he cast it on the table, and said, "I pity the owner; every article is a drug here, and would better suit the New-York market." "That is Natterstrom's ill luck," said Capt Hathaway; "if he had shipped gold, it would have transmuted itself to brass; if he held in his hands the rain of heaven, it would descend in mildew. Whatever he touches, with his own hand, he poisons; but whatever he touches, with Beck's hand he converts to gold. I dare say, Beck's cargo will turn to good account." "Natterstrom," said Beg, "Natterstrom, what Natterstrom? I was once in New-York, and knew a Mr. Natterstrom; they called him, honest Joe Natterstrom." "The same, the same," said Capt. Hathaway; "who could have imagined that Joe Natterstrom was known to a merchant of Smyrna! He is the owner of this unhappy cargo, which is his whole property." "And whose is the other ship and cargo?" said Beg. "That," said Capt. Hathaway, "is more than any living man knows. Natterstrom himself is ignorant of the owner. He says he is the agent of one Ebenezer Beck, and, as no one doubts what Natterstrom says, the property is all taxed to Ebenezer Beck. This Beck owns a large real and personal estate, particularly a valuable wharf, in New-York; and, as nobody knows who the man Beck is, and, as the estate has thus strangely slipped away from the lawful owner, the public have called it Beckman's slip. Heaven grant that this same Beck do not ultimately prove the ruin of poor Natterstrom." "It may be so," said Beg; "a man may be wise for another, and a fool for himself. Let us now go on board Beck's ship, and examine his cargo." "That is needless," said Capt Hathaway; "here is an invoice of Beck's cargo." Beg examined it, and exclaimed, "Admirable! It is worth half Smyrna. This Beck is a lucky fellow; he was born under the sun; his lamp will never go out. He must be a favorite of the prophet, and was nursed under a tree that sheds its fruit, when ripe, into his lap." Beg then went on board of the other ship, and, to his surprise and great joy, beheld his old friend Capt. Dixon. After an oriental salutation, Beg mentioned his interview with Capt. Hathaway, and lamented the unhappy voyage of Natterstrom. "And who," said Beg, "may be the fortunate owner of your cargo?" "That," said Capt. Dixon " is a mystery, deep as the hidden springs of your deserts. If honest Joe Natterstrom speaks truth, the fountain is still sealed. He is an ignorant agent of an unknown being. Natterstrom, though he is obliged to live and appear like a pacha, asserts that he is a poor man, only the agent of Beck, and dependent on his commissions. He affirms that all the property in his hands is one Eben Beck's; and when questioned who Beck may be, he says he don't know, he never saw him but once, then in the twilight, and that, several years since." "But," said Beg, " is there any doubt that Natterstrom would surrender this property to the man Beck, if he should come and demand it?" "That, indeed, remains to be proved," said Capt. Dixon, "and will forever remain a doubt, for there is no probability that Beck will ever appear. Many believe that Natterstrom, from some strange whim, or dubious motive, has fabricated the whole story of this Eben Beck." "It may, nevertheless, be all true," said Beg; "and Natterstrom may be the honest agent of Eben Beck. He is no friend to virtue, who doubts its existence. The case may be as Natterstrom affirms; therefore wrong, to prejudge. To attribute a bad motive to a good action is to sow tares among wheat. Is it so very extraordinary that a man should be honest? Our Prophet could summon thousands of the faithful, whose least merit would be their integrity. To return a pledge, to keep sacred a deposite, to do equity where the law would excuse you, in the estimation of the Prophet are all natural; little better than instinct. I fear you wrong Natterstrom, in doubting his integrity. Mere honesty is only a silent virtue. Your Prophet and ours have, each of them, many humble followers, who, like the potato of your country, never raise their heads above the surface. Yet the potato is worth the whole tribe of flowers that sport in the breeze. The English, who trade to the Red sea, trust whole cargoes to our people, who carry them to the heart of Asia, and all the security they demand is a token, a crook of a Mussulman's finger. If Natterstrom has proclaimed himself the steward of another man, has he not pledged himself to a surrender when that man appears and reclaims his own?"

      "I wish Eben Beck was in the Red sea," said Capt. Dixon, "for it is evident, whether a real being, or a phantom, he is the evil genius of honest Joe Natterstrom." "But now to business," said Beg. "Give me the refusal of your cargo, and, I will freight both vessels back with such products as you may order." This accomplished, both ships returned to New-York, deeply laden with the richest products of the East.

      When it appeared that Beck's ship had performed a prosperous voyage, and that Natterstrom's was a desperate concern, he was disheartened; all his thoughts turned inwardly, to one dark idea. Strange things passed in his mind. He remembered the pale look of the person, the feeble arm and trembling hand, that reached to him the bag of gold. The apparent old age and the decrepitude of the man, now fixed his attention more strangely, than in the moment of reality. The man of 1794 seemed to re-appear to him in full life; and an impression, that he might be the passive agent of an unholy principal, overpowered the man. He began to hate his own name, without being reconciled to that of Beck. However, the course of events, and the facility of business, all tended to sink the name of Natterstrom into that of Beck; so that Natterstrom was frequently addressed as Ebenezer Beck, by foreign merchants, who really supposed they were merchandising with the man. Indeed, he began to be called in New-York, Ebenezer Beck; so that, at length, he willingly assumed the name. He, therefore, relinquished all business in the name of Natterstrom; took down his sign on his warehouse, and substituted, in place thereof, that of Ebenezer Beck. Thus, honest Joe Natterstrom sunk into Ebenezer Beck; and many of the present generation, who suppose they have seen Ebenezer Beck a thousand times, never heard of the name of Joseph Natterstrom. So hasty is time to bury the past; so closely does oblivion press on the footsteps of time.

      Under the name of Ebenezer Beck, Natterstrom long flourished, one of the most eminent merchants of New York. Although he employed thousands of men, and came in contact with the whole mass of civil society, no man was ever heard to complain of him; he was the counterpart of the late Mr. Gray of Boston.

      After many successful voyages to Smyrna, Beck exclaimed, one day, in the hearing of Capt. Dixon, "Lord, remember poor Joseph Natterstrom, but, as for Ebenezer Beck, stay thy hand, for he has enough!" This being related to Beg, the last time Capt. Dixon was at Smyrna, "Enough!" said Beg, " he is the first man that ever cried enough!" "But," said Capt. Dixon, "if the wealth is not his own, but one Ebenezer Beck's, he exclaimed, enough, for another man, not for himself." "True," said Beg, "it is so; yet, it seems to confirm his integrity, if he did not apply the expression to himself." Beg now thought it time to see Natterstrom; and, he prepared to visit the United States. Accordingly, he embarked a second time with Capt. Dixon, for New-York. On his arrival, he pondered a long time, how he should discover himself to Natterstrom. At length, he resolved to appear before him in the same disguise, in which he appeared at his compting-room, in 1794, thirty years before. He now prepared himself for a meeting; and, having ascertained that Natterstrom and his family were going to a country seat, at Flushing, he placed himself in the way, and sat down, near the middle of the road, near the Dutch church. With one hand, he supported himself with a staff; and the other was half extended, as if in dubious expectation of charity. When the horses of Natterstrom's carriage approached Beg, they suddenly stopped, and trembled, as if spell-bound. The coachman turned to Natterstrom, and said, "Here, sir, is a miserable object, so unhuman, that the horses tremble at his sight." "Eternal God!" said Natterstrom, "that is Eben Beck! The day of doubt is passed; and, if that is a human being, I am happy; otherwise, I have been thirty years under enchantment." In an instant, Natterstrom leaped from the carriage, and approached Beg. "Thou art Eben Beck," said Natterstrom. "Dost thou appear to me a miserable beggar, or a mysterious being, unallied to this world, and all its concerns? Speak, for I am Joseph Natterstrom, and have occupied till Eben Beck has come." "How hast thou occupied?" said Beg, austerely. "I have occupied," said Natterstrom, "until thy five hundred guineas, have become more than five hundred thousand. Arise, and take a seat in this, thy carriage, for it is thine; see thy name on the panel; and let me accompany thee to thy beautiful mansion at Becksville."

      Beg ascended the carriage, seated himself, sat calmly, and said nothing. Natterstrom, though full, even to anguish, was silence-struck, at this strange occurrence; and thus all was quiet, until they arrived at Beck's country seat. Natterstrom now proposed a change of raiment, which Beg declined, observing, he was too old to change his habits; he had come a long distance to settle his affairs, and was desirous of returning home to his own country. "When canst thou settle with me?" said Beg. "To-day," said Natterstrom. "But how canst thou settle the concerns of thirty years, in one day!" "I have only," said Natterstrom, "to hand thee a bundle of papers, and the business is done." "Explain thyself, Mr. Natterstrom, for I am an ignorant man." "All thy property is in thy own name; thy real estate is registered, thy ships are registered, thy notes of hand, thy bonds and mortgages, are all payable to thyself; thy bank stock is all certified to Eben Beck; and all thy other personal property is in thy day book and leger. Otherwise, how could Eben Beck receive his own, if Joseph Natterstrom had died, before Eben Beck came back?" "But, how canst thou distinguish between thy own, and my own? Joseph Natterstrom has not become poor, while Eben Beck has become rich?" "Joseph Natterstrom has become poor, and has lived many years under the shadow of Eben Beck; and has rejoiced, in the sunshine of his prosperity; for to rejoice in the prosperity of another is to partake of it. But now, all is Eben Beck's; if Joseph Natterstrom retains any thing, he wrongs Eben Beck." "And art thou ready to resign all?" "All." "And what wilt thou have left?" "Myself." "True," said Beg, "Joseph Natterstrom will remain, and a man's best wealth ought to be himself."

      The next day, Natterstrom resigned all, and Beg took all. In one day, all was settled. From great splendor and apparent opulence, Joseph Natterstrom was reduced to nothing. From that day, Beg never saw Natterstrom. He remained in New-York about six months, continued his disguise, lived meanly, and encouraged the opinion, that he was a mysterious miser. The experiment on Natterstrom having succeeded to Beg's satisfaction, he was now desirous of returning home to Smyrna; but, first, he executed his will, which, for brevity, was remarkable. Thus; "There is but one God, and Mahomet is his Prophet. I, Ebn Beg, of Smyrna, known in the city of New-York as Eben Beck, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament. First, I devise to Joseph Natterstrom, my late agent, and to his heirs and assigns, all my real estate in the United States. Secondly, I give and bequeath to said Natterstrom, all my personal property, both in Europe and in the United States." This will, correctly executed, Beg deposited with Capt. Dixon, who, now, for the first time, was made acquainted with the long-sleeping secret. By the aid of Capt. Dixon, Beg now appeared to sicken, languish, and die. His funeral was performed, and his decease was publicly noticed, very little to his credit. The good natured Beg smiled at this, and soon after sailed for Smyrna.

      Capt. Dixon now presented the will to Natterstrom; he read it; and for a moment, his well-balanced mind began to totter. He was now deeply impressed, that, for thirty years, he had been under a supernatural influence, but as it appeared to him to be that kind of influence, which one good spirit might have over another, he retained the name of Eben Beck, to the day of his death, as well from pleasant associations, as from public sanction; but his real name was Joseph Natterstrom, as is well known to many aged people now living in New-York.