Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-07-08

THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA, OF
IPSAHAN

ney to Tehran; but before ventured to
produce myself as dervish upon the
stage, resolved to try my talent in rela-
ting a story before Seminar audience.
Accordingly. ! went to Spa. open
space, that is situated near the entrance
Of the bazars, where most of the idlers
of the town flock about noon; and ma
king the sort of EXPLANATIONS usual upon
such occasions, soon collected a crowd,
who settled themselves on the ground,
round the place where had fixed upon
for my theatre. A short story, touching
barber at Bagdad, (which | had heard
while 1 was myself in that profession,)
luckily came into my memory; and
standing in the middle of circle of
louis, ,with uplifted eyes and open
mouths, made my debut in the follow
ing Manner
''In the reign of Caliph Haroun al
Raschid, of happy memory, lived in the
city of Bagdad, celebrated barber of
the name Of Ali Sakal. He was so fa-
nous for steady hand, and dexterity
in his profession, that be could shave
head. and trim beard and whiskers
with his eye blindfolded, without once
drawing blood. There was not man
of any fashion at Bagdad who did not
employ him; and such run of business
had he, that at length he became proud
and weuld scarcely ever touch head
whose master was not at least a Beg or
an Aga. Wood for fuel was always
scarce and dear at Bagdad; and as his
shop consumed a great deal, the wood
cutters brought their loads to him in
preference. almost sure of meeting with
ready sale. 1t happened one day
that poor wood cutter, new in his
profes Gion, and ignorant of the character
of Iii Sakal, went to his shop, and
offered him for sale load OF wood,
which he had just brought from con-
siderable distance in the country, on
his ass; Ali Immediately offered him
price, making use of these words, '.tor
all the acood that a0as upon the ass."-
The wood cutter agreed, unloaded his
beast, and asked for the money. 'You
have not given all the wood yet" said
the barber; II must have the pack sad
die (Which is chiefly made of woody
into the bargain:-that was our agree
ment." "Howr" said the other, in
great amazement--"who ever heard Of
such bargains-it is impossible" In
short, after MANY words and much al
tercation, the override airing barber seiz-
ed the pack saddle, wood and all, and
sent away the poor peasant in great
distress. He Immediately ran to the
Cadi, and stated his griefs; the Cadi
was one of the BARRIERS customers, and
refused to hear the case The wood
cutter applied to higher judge: he also
patronised Ali Sakal, and made light of
the complaint The poor man then
appealed to the Mufti himself, who,
having pondered over the question,
whilst he slipped half dozen cups of
coffee, and smoked as many pipes, at
length settled that it was too difficult
case for him to decide, no provision be-
ing made for it in the Koran, and there
fore he must put up with his loss
The wood cutter was not disheartened;
but forthwith got scribe to write Pc
tition to the Caliph in person, which be
duly presented on Friday, the day which
he went in state to rhe mosque. The
Caliph's punctuality in reading petitions
is well known, and it was not long before
the wood cutter was called to his pre-
sence, When he had approached the
/ Caliph, he kneeled and kissed the ground
and then placing his arms straight before
him, his hands covered with the sleeves
, of his cloak, and his feet close together,
he awaited the decision OF his case
Friend" said the Caliph, "the barber
has words on his side you have equity
on yours. The law must be defined by
words: and agreements must be made
by words; the former must have its
course, or it is nothing; and agreements
must be kept or here would be no faith
between man and man; therefore the
barber must keep all his wood; but"
Then calling the wood cutter close to
him, the Caliph whispered something in
his ear, which none but he could hear,
and then sent him away quite satisfied.
Here then | made a pause In my
narrative, and said whilst extended a
small tin cup which | held in my hand J
Nov, my noble audience, if you will
give me something, will tell you what
the Caliph said to the wood cutter"
had excited great curiosity, and there
was scarcely one of my hearers who