Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-10-22
From Dickens Household Words
The Young Jew of Tunis.

residing In the East, who had II from the
French Consul himself II reminds one Of
the Arabian Nights.
In the year 1886, Jewish family, residing
in Algiers, were plunged in the greatest dis
tress by the death of the father. A son, two
daughters. and mother were, by this ca
lamity, left almost destitute. After the fu-
neral the son. whose name was lbrahm, sold
what little property there was TO realize, and
gave it to the mother and sisters; after which,
commanding them to the charity OF distant
relative. he left Algiers, and departed for
! Tunis. hoping that IL he did not find his for
tune, he would at least make livelihood
! there.
He presented himself to the French Con
sui with his papers, and requested license
as donkey driver. This was granted, and
Ibrahim entered the service of man who
let out asses, both for carrying water for 9TH
els and for him.
Ibrahim was exceedingly handsome and
very graceful in his demeanor; but being so
poor. his clothes were too ragged for him to
/ be employed on anything but drudgery that
was out of srght. He used to be sent with
waterskins to the meanest parts Of the town.
One day, as he was driving his asses la6en-
!
cavalcade OF women, riding las usual in that
country upon donkeys covered with sump-
| tuous housings. He drew in one side to al
/ low them to pass by, but a string of camels
/ coming up at the same instant, there ensued
some confusion. The veil of the women be-
came slightly deranged, and lbrahim caught
! sight Of lovely countenance.
He contrived to ascertain who the lady
was and where she lived. She was Rebec-
ca. the only daughter of wealthy Jew.
From this time lbrahim had but one thought,
that of becoming rich enough to demand Re-
/ becca in marriage. He had already saved a
/ few pieces of money; with these he bought
| himself better clothes. and he was now some
| times sent to conduct the donkeys hired out
for riding.
1t so chanced that one of his first expedi-
tions was to take Rebeccs and her attendants
/ to a MERGERS shop. Either from accident or
coquetry, Rebeccas veil became again de-
| ranged, and again lbrahim beheld the heav-
enly face beneath it. Ibrahim's appearance,
and his look of burning, passionate love, did
not displease the young Jewes. he frequent
| y attended her on her excursions, and he
VAS often permitted to look beneath the veil.
lbrahim deprived himself almost of the ne
cessties Of life, and at length saved money
enough to purchase an ass of his own. BY
degrees he was able to buy more, and became
a master and employed boys under him.
When he thought himself sufficiently well
off in the world, he presented himself before
the family of Rebecca and demanded her in
marriage; but they did not consider his pros
poets brilliant, and rejected his proposal with
contempt. RebecCa, however, sent her old
| nurse TO him (just as lady in the Arabian
Nighls" might have sent similar message)
to let him know the family contempt was not
shared by her.
lbrahm was more determined than ever 10
obtain her. He went to a magician who
bade him to return to Algiers, and declared
that if he accepted the first offer of any kind
which he should receive after entering the
city. he should be made rich, and obtain the
desires of his heart
lbrahim sold his asses and departed for
Algiers. He walked up and down the streets
till nightfal, in expectation of the mysteri-
Gus offer which he had been foretold-but no
one came
he had, however been observed by a rich
widow, somewhat advanced in years, French
woman, and the widow of an officer OF engin-
eers. She dispatched an attendant to dis
cover who he was and where hc lived, and
the next day sent for him to her house. His
graceful address fascinated her even more
than his looks. and she made him an overture
of marriage, offering at the same time TO set
tie upon him a handsome portion Of her
wealth.
This was not pre- cisely the mode in which
lbrahm had intended to make his fortune;
but he recollected the prediction of the ma
gician, and accepted the proposal.
They were married, and for twelve months
lbrahim lived with his wife in great spendor
and apparent happiness. At the end of that
time he professed to be called to TGuis by
indispensable business, which would require
his presence for some time. His wife made
no opposition. though she was sorry to lose
him, and wished to accompany him, but that
he prohibited, and departed alone; taking
with him a good supply OF money.
lie again presented himself 10 the French
Consul at Tunis, who was surprised at the
change in his appearance. The vest of flow
cred silk broached with gold, was girded
round the waist by Barbary sash of the rich
est silk; his ample trouses OF fine cloth were
met by morocco boots, Cashmere shawl of
the most radiant colors was twisted round
his head; his beard carefully trimmed, fell
half way down to his breast; jewoled dag
ger hung at his girdle; and an ample Bour-
nooz wore over all, gave an additional grace
to his appearance, while it served to conceal
his rich attire, which far exceeded the license
of the sadcolored garments prescribed by law
to the Jews.
He lost no time in repairing to the house
of Rebecca She was still unmarried, and
again he made his proposals; this time 1t was
with moro success. lie had all the appear
ance of man of high consideration; and the
riches which he half negligently displayed,
took due effect. He had enjoyed a good
character when he lived at Tunis before, and
they took it for granted that he had done
nothing to forfeit it. They asked no ques
tions how his riches had been obtained, but
gave him Robecca in marriage.
At the end OF six months, the French Con-
sui received inquiries from Agiers about Id
rahim; his wife, it was said became alarmed
at his pIolongued absence.
The Consul sent for Ibaahim. and told him
what he heard. Ibrahim at first appeared
disturbed and afterwards indignant. lie de-