Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1846-02-11
Female Stratagem.-.-An Arab.
Inn story.

Female Stratagem...-An AraDi-
nm story.
Il is related that a young man Of grace
ful stature, and beautiful countenance, re-
sided formerly at Bagdad, where he was
most distinguished among The sons Of the
merchants. Ono day, while he sat in his
shop, a lovely damsel approached: having
looked at him, she perceived written over
his door these words: 'Taere is no cum
ming equal to that Of men, siace it s,rpasses
the cunning Of ,conaen." :'By my veil,
then l swear" said she this man shall
bethe sport Of female cunning, and he shall
change this inscription" On the next
day she returned most richly dressed, and
attended by many. slaves, under pretence of
purchasing some article-she seated her
self in the young mans shop. 'sYou have
beheld," said she, ''the graee!ulness Of my
person; can any presume to affirm that |
am hump-backcd - at the same time she
uncovered part Of her bosom. The young
merchant was fascinated; "Iappeal to you;"
continued she, whether / am not well
formed" She then showed him ner finely
turned arm, and her face, which in beau
ty equalled the moon when near its four
teenth night, saying, 'are these features
marked with the smallpox, or, who shall
dare to insinuate that have lost the use
Of one sye5f' The merchant requested to
know her seasons for thus exposing 70 his
view 80 many charms, generally concealed
undera viel. "Sir," said she, II am rem
dered miserable through the tyranny of
my father, a sordid, avsracious mar, " no,
though abunding with riches, will not ex-
pend the smallest trihe to establish me in
matrimony." "Who is thy fa,her?'' in
quired the merchant. He is tie Grand
Cady," replied she, and then Departed
The young man, in transport of aston
i.hment and love, shut up the doors Of his
shop, and FASTENED TO the tribunal, where
he found the magistrate. 81 come, sir"
exclaimed he, ''to demand in marriage
your daughter, Of whom ! am eEamored."
She is not worthy" replied tae Judge,
"of 80 handsome and amiahle :mate.'-
''She pleases me-" said the yoang man;
'do not oppose my wishes" s bargain
was Immediately concluded: the merchant
agreed to pay five ruples before the nup-
tials, and settled fifteen as j2nture.--
The father still told him how unsuitable
the bride would prove, but the young man
insisted that the nuptials should be cele-
brated without delay, and the next night
he was admitted to the chamber of his
bride. But when he had removed the veil
that covered her face, he behed such an
object:- may the Lord defend US from the
sight Of SO much ugliness! for in her was
comprised every thing completely hideous.
He passed the night as if he had been in
the prison Of Deylcm, among the monstrous
demons. At dawn Of day he repaired to
a bath, and having performed his ablulions,
lie returned to his shop, and refreshed him
self with coffee Many ofhis acquaintance
passing amused themselves with jokes re-
specting the charms Of his bride. At
length the lovely form Of her.who had con-
trived this affair appeared before him. :
She was more richly and vcsuptiously or
namented than on the preceding interview;
90 that crowd Of persons stopped in the
street to gaze upon her.. "May this day."
said she, "be suspicious to thee, my dear
Olreddyn; may God protect and bless theep
The young mans face expressed the sad
ness Of heart. "How hFe injured thee"
replied he, sthat thou asst in this manner
made me the object Of thy sport?'
.sFrom thec," answered the beautiful
stranger, 81 have not experienced any af.
front, but If thou wilt reverse the inscrip-
ton over thy door, l will engage to ex,ri-
cate thee from every difficuH." The mer-
chant instantly despatched 8 slave, dcsir-
ing him to procure from q eer!ain writer,
an inscription in letters Of elue and gold
expressing, "1Here is no caauing equal to
that Of uomen, since II SURPRISES and con,
POUNDS the cunning Of men, The inscrip-
ton was soon traced, and brought by the
slave to his master, who placed it over
tho door Of his shop Thea, by the adj
vice Of the fair damsel, be went to place
near the citadel, where he concerted with
the public dancers, bear. leaders, and those
who exhibit the tricks os monkeys; in
consequence Of which, while he was sit.
ting the next morning, drinking coffee with
his iather-in-law, the Cady, they came be-
fore him, with thousand congratulations,
styling him cousin; the young merchant
Immediately scattered among them hand
fals Of money.