Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-11-06

upu u WV w pun SuCCSCS VIZ IOttCt UCIIg
extraordinary luxury, which caused the pro-
vision dealer to open his eyes with astonisl'-
mcnt.
Rajcb had need Of some soup, and leg
of roast lamb to refresh himself after his ia
tiguc. As it was, however, he munchcd his
unclc's worse than Spartan bread without
grumbling, and ate the cheese with as good
stomach as he could. During the rcpast the
mentioned the subject which had brought
him there. At the first word of his nephew,
Jousouf took the hint and exclaimed -
81 am ruined, having expended my last
para for the food we are eating"
Rajcb perceived that he could make no
impression upon heart harder than marble,
and after having cndeavorcd in vain to soften
him by recital of his history, and de-
scription Of Thcrczal,'s charms, he gave ov-
or the attempt. With a bursting heart he
left the house a few moments to take the air
Every thing appeared to HIM black and hide
Gus. lie cursedhis avaricious uncle with tho
utmost bitterness of spirit, and being his
heir, he almost wished for his death, though
his natural goodness and gcntlcncss of dispo-
sition forbade such thought. In this state
of mind he Glanced to cast his eyes upon an
cmaciatcd donkey lying in little stable on
his uncle's grounds. The appearance of the
beast was so starved, and showed the marks
Of such extreme i'll usage, that in despite Of
his own miseries Rajeb could but pity 1t.
| asses in arabia arc not the obstinate,
dull, and disagrccable animals which are
seen in Europe; but are generally sprightly,
kind, and sleek creatures; the favoritcs of
ladies' and opulcnt people. Rajeb natural
y loved animals, and felt distressed at the
condition of tho poor donkey before him.
Forgetting all else, for the time, he ran in
stantly to a merchant and purchased mca-
sure Of barley, which he gave the poor beast
who thrust his nose into il with an excess of
eagcrncss and delight, fairly braying with
pleasure. Then Rajcb also brought him
drink.
.Atlcr this charitable action lie retired to
the poor couch designed by his uncle for his
rcposc. Between the vcrmin Of the bed
aud his own thoughts he slept little indeed.
In the morning Jousouf produced the remains
Of the evenings feast as breakfast, and RAJ
job prepared to take his leave. As he was
going out his uncle said to hint
81 have an ass in my stable which do
not need, and the keeping of which is very
costly. 1t is the only vcstigc of property in
my possession. Will you allow mo TO ask
you to-
"-ih," thought Rajeb, "hc is going to ask
my acceptance Of tho beast"
".1llow me-" continued the miscr, "o ask
you TO accompany me to the market, that
may sell him and get whcrcwIth to live"
Rajcb consented, and they proceeded to.
gc,hcr to the stable. Ra job carcsse1 the
donkey, who recognized him Immediately
gazcd at him with intelligence, and striking
his feet upon the ground many times, seemed
pulse determined him to do so, and aftcl
some bargaining he consented to give his av.
aricious uncle the cxhorbtant price ola thou.
sand pias,res for the ass. The miscr accom-
panied him to Cairo in order to get the money
and it was pleasant to observe the donkey OF
tho way thithcr. 1t jaun,ly raised its hcat
on high, prickcd up its long cars, trottcd, gal
lopcd, and exhibited every sign Of pleasure
Jousouf muttcrcd more tlion once, 81 nigh
T have sold him for higher price. 1t is no.
! bic beast"
Arrvcd at Cairo, Rajcb paid for the ass
and after en- crtaining Jousouf hospitabl,
during the night, dismissed him in the morn
ing. lie then prepared neat stable for hi
Now purchase, curricd him, fed him, and i'm
proved Inn SO much that it would have bceI
difficult to recognize him. Having but
thousand pastres left, and no hopes of bein
able - cspousc Thcrczal, he concluded t,
buy me pannicrs and quantity of MGR
chanlizc and set out with his donkey on
trading voyage, to sec if he cenld not bette
his fortunes.
In the meantime, the day fixed by the pa
rents Of Thcrezah had expired, and tn
> news came to him that Abon-Zabel, one o
the richest merchants in the city, had mad
. proposals for her hand, and had been &C
= ceptcd. This drove him nearly to despcra
lion, and that evening he wen, to the Nil
;. for the purpose of drowning himself, AM
> thereby escaping his troubles. lie rcache
; the banks Of the river, and was about I
prccipitatc himself into it, when he heard
!, splash in the water, and loud shrek. ii
! looked up and saw by the moonlight,
- pleasure boat overturned, and female fig
:, urc ust sinking in the water. lie plunge
= into tho river, and swimming to the spc
l. where he saw her fall, dove down, siczc
= her by her dress, and with vigorous arm
gained the shore with his burden. She wa
apparently lfclcss, and Rajcb hastily Dire,
: aside her veil, to render her assistance an
!, give her air. Her face was exposed, whcl
;, gracious heaven, he saw his Thcrczah.-
= Just then she revived, and screaming o,
;, on finding herself claspcd in the arms Of
= man, who was also kissing her lips.
"Fcar not;" said the youth; am Raicl
who saw you at the fountain, and who pro
q posed for your han], but had not tho dow
;. ry requisite to obtain it. Oh tell me yo
~ wish | could have succeeded"
: 81 do" said she, "lor like not Abor
is label, and know not how to comply wi,
c my parents request concerning him. b.
: whence is Hassan, my fathers servant wi,
= was in the boat!"
u Rajcb was going to plunge again into til
stream to seek him, when he perceived Il