Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-11-06
THE SAGAClOUS DONKEY,
OR, THE HIDDEN TREASURE.
AN ARABIAN TALE.

comfortably upon this sum, and added to II
by economical and judicious merchandise, i'll
he had not fallen in love with young girl
whom he accidentally saw as she raised her
long veil for the purpose of taking draught
of water from the fountain of the mosque.
She did not appear tobelong to any noble or
wealthy families, for her counntenancc was
marked with health and freshness, making a
striking contrast with the palcness and lassi-
tudc of the "falscly luxurious" She was
attended by no servants, and her dress was
composed of common materials though
neatly made and elegantly fitted to her per-
son. She bore no evidence Of worldly opu-
cncc, but she was rich in beauty, in lowell
ness and modesy. Ralcb was cnraptured
as he gazcd. She had on. Of those radicnt
serene figures which fascinatc the soul Of
whoever bcholds. The cnerSating heat of
the tropids had not wi,hered the tinted rose
colours upon her cheeks. She was young,
as was evident from the childish outline of
her form, which, though then rounded to the
graceful dcvclopcment of an houri, had still
not attained its full voluptuousncss of shape.
She had arrived at that period when girls arc
manageable in Arabia, ms her countcnancc
was that Of a girl thirteen or fourteen years
old, though more Near the perfection of wo-
manhood than in our temperate climates, at
such an aye. Her eyes, bcaning with inno-
ccncc and intelligence, were soft, liquid,
melting, and intensely dark, and her luxur-
ant cllcstnut-colorcd ringlcts gave promise
Of growing darker and darker with coming
years There was, too, throughout her fca-
| tho ,,f ,:,,I Il,
print Of heart capable of loving deeply and
unchapgcably. Her dress, as before OBJ
served, was not costly, but it had the modest
coquc,ry about it which plcases and attracts
and was admirably disposed to set of her
person to the best advantage, so that as her
veil was raised, the folds of tho handkcr-
chief thrown over her shoulders suffered RAJ
eb to perceive the contour Of a neck and
bosom at the same time, fau,lcss in proper
ton and dazzling in whi'cncss of complexion.
He had only moment TO view this lovely
vision, for she had but little more than
raised her veil orc she observed him, and
casting down her eye amid bushes of cmbar-
rassmcnt, she Immediately covered herself
once mare, and left the place with so much
dignity and modcs,y that Rajcb did not dare
to approach and address her, as ho at frs,
designed.
He con,cntcd himself with following her
at a distance, and observing the house where
she entered. The dwelling was simple and
transformations, but Rajcb was no, the less
amorous. The beauty and grace of the
young girl had touched his heart, and loving
Ter, he cared neither for brilliant or rich
| ~; L. Il; ,t,,>nul,e
and sleeping or walking, there was an angel
form before bin, raising her veil, her eyes Il,
once bcaming with beauty and melting with
tenderness, and her white neck adorned by n
profii,ion of dark trcsscs. Ills passion lii
tcrally consumed him, and allowed him no
res, day or night. lie determined at all I,az-
ards to ask her in marriage of her parents.
Tic went accordingly, and was well received
by them but when, in accordance with the
custom Of the country, they came to speak
Of the dowry, the father cxactcd the sum o
five thousand piaStrcs-thrcc more, alas ,tl,cr
Rajcb's whole fortune. In this demand l,t
was memorable, and the young man retired
overwhelmed with grief and despair, having
only obtained tho permission Of acccdng t,
the acquisitions within ton days or bcin,
banishcd forever.
Rajcb returned to his m-nsion conccivins
on the way tho most sorrowful rc1cctic MS
How much at this momen, did he feel the
pcrnicious power Of riches! How scnsbly
did he appreciate the privileges which atlcne
wealth! All thought he, if had employee
my past years assduously in the attainment
Of property, l might now be happy; but ;
Quarter of century has passed over NJ,
head and am master Of only paltry tw,
thousand piastrcs. lie shed no, tears at ,l,'
recollection, and having reached the room
where this sum was deposited, he counted i
! over again and again, but count it as h'
, would, he had still bu, two thousand piastrrs
As may be well supposed he slept less I'll
4! night than upon the others succeeding hi
meeting with Thcrezali, for 80 was the yo,ln.
girl called. While intcn,ly tor,uring hi
mind for some means Of raising the rcGuirc'
sum, he was struck with plan which seemed
not destitute of hope. lie called to mini
maternal uncle, who resided at Tantah, AM
whom he had not seen for eighteen years
This uncle was rcputcd to be very rich, ant
Rajcb believed he would willingly lend hin
the three thousand piastrcs, and even more
an additional thousand or two, to open
shop for trade, and purchase small s,ocI
!. Of goods. Then he would marry Thcrcza
r his affairs would prosper, and soon he woul
=, repay the borrowed money with ample inter
est. SO run his day dream, and he RESOLVED
to depart for Tanah b, the dawn Of day
The night seemed very long, and the frs, in
dica'on of light found him dressed and pre-
pared for his journey. lie locked his hon $
and set out on foot for the residence Of hi,
uncle, that he might make no inroatls upol
}, his funds by expensive travelling. lie walk
cd briskly the whole day, thinking Of hi
: love, and building a thousand castles in Il,
s. air, as is the won, of foolish youth. Arriv
: cd at the street where his uncle lived he in
If qnircd of some bystnnders for tho house O
is Jousoul, the rich.
If "Jousouf, the rich cried they, "say ra,hc
c Jousouf, tho miscr, Jousouf, the curmudg
con. the pcnurious wretch who bcgrudgcs I
}. the dogs the well picked bones he has ca'
!, from his table. There is his house."