American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-10-09
FEM ALE STR ALAG EN-;
AN ARABIAN STORY.

1t is related that young man of graceful
stature and beautiful countenance resided for
merly at Bagdad, where he was most dstln-
guished among the sons Of the merchants
One day, while he sat in his shop a lovely
damsel approached; having looked at him she
perceived written over his door these Words
"1here is no cunning equal 10 that of men, since
1t SmrpaSSes the cunning Of tcomen" "By my
veil, then swear" said she, ''this man shall
be the sport of female cunning, and he shall
change this inscription" On the next day she
returned most richly drest, and attended by
many slaves, under pretence of purchasing
some article, she seated herself in the young
mans shop. ''You have beheld," said she,
"the graceulness of my per, IN; can any one
presume to affirm that am hump-backed?" at
the same time she uncovered part of her bo-
son. The young merchant was fascinated
81 appeal TO YOU" continued she, "whether
am not we'll formed;" she then showed him her
finely turned arm, and her face, which in beau
ty eQualed the moon when near its fourteenth
night, saying, ''are these features marked with
the smallpox or, who shall dare to lnsinuate
that have lost the use of one cye?" The
merchant requested to know her reasons for
thus exposing to his view so many charms, ge-
morally concealed under a veil "Sir," said
she, 81 am rendered miserable through the ty-
ranny Of my father, sordid avaricous man,
who though Astounding with riches, will not
expend the smallest trihe to establish me in
matrimony." "Who is thy father?" inquired
the merchant. "He is the Grand Cadhy," re-
piled she, and then departed. The young
man, in a transport of establishment and love,
shut up the doors Of his shop and fastened to
the tribunal, where he found the magistrate
II come, sir" exclaimed he, "to demand in
marriage your daughter, of whom am en-
amored" "She is not worthy" replied the
Judge, "of So handsome and so amiable
mate" "She peases me-" said the young
man, edo not oppose my wishes" A bargain
was Immediately concludes: the merchant
agreed to pay five purses before the nuptials,
and settled fifteen as jonture. The father
still represented how unsuitable the bride would
prove, but the young man insisted that the
nuptials should be celebrated without delay,
and on the next night he was admitted to the
chamber of his bride. But when he had re-
moved the veil that covered her face, he be-
held such an object-may the Lord defend US
from the sight of so much ugliness! for in her
was comprised everything completely hideous.
He passed the night as if he had been in the
prisons of Deylem among the monsrous de-
mons. At dawn of day he repaired to a bath,
and having performed bis additions, he return
ed to his shop, and refreshed himself with cof-
fee: many of his acquaintances passing by,
amused themselves with Jokes respecting the
charms of his bride. At length the lovely
form of her who had contrived this affair, APP
peared before him. She was more richly and
more voluptuously ornamented than on the
preceding interview; SO that a crowd Of per-
sons stopped in the street to gaze upon her,
"May this day, said she, "be suspicious to thee,
my dear Olueddyn; may God protect and bless
thee" The young mans face expressed the
sadness of his heart. elbow have injured
thee" replied he, "that thou hast in this man
ner made me the object of thy sport?"
sFrom thee answered the beautiful strang-
er, 81 have not experienced any affront, but if
thou wilt reverse the inscription over thy door,
| will engage to extricate thee from every diff
Guilty" The merchant instantly despatched
slave, desiring him to procure from certain
writer, an inscription in letters of blue and gold
expressing, "There is no cunning equal to that
of tuon,an, since ii s,,rpasses and conJeunds the
cunning of men," The inscription was soon
traced, and brought by the slave to his master,
who placed it over the door of his shop. Then,
by the advice of the fair damse, he went to
place near the citadel, where he concerted with
the public dancers, bear-leaders, and those who
exhibit the tricks OF monkeys; in consequence OF
which while he was sitting, the next morning,
drinking coffee with his father n-law, the Cad
hy, they came before him, with thousand con-
CALCULATIONS, styling him cousin; the young
merchant Immediately scattered among them
handfus of money.
The Judge was astonished, and asked several
questions. "My father" said the young man.
Twas leader of bears and monkeys; such has
been the profession of my family; but having
acquired some wealth, we now carry on the