Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-10-17
VOL, 3.----N0. 81.
THE YOUNG JEW OF TUNIs.

from the French Consul himself. Itre
minds one OF the Arabian Nights
In the year 1896, Jewish family re-
siding in Algiers were plunged into the
greatest distress by the death of the faith
er. A son, two daughters and mother
were br this calamity left almost desli-
tuie. After the funeral the son. whose
name was lbrahim. sold what little prop
erty there was to realize, and gave it to
his mother and sisters; after which, COM
mending them to the charity of distant
relative, he left Algiers and departed for
Funis, hoping that, if he did no, flnd a
fortune, he would at least make liveli-
hood there.
He was presented to the French Con-
sui with his papers, and requested IL
cense as a donkey driver. This was
granted, and Ibrahim entered the service
of man who let out asses, both for car
rying water for himself and others.
lbrahim was extremely handsome, and
very graceful in his demeanor; but being
SD poor, his clothes we're too ragged for
him to be employed on anything but
drudgery which was out of sight. He
used TO be sent with water skins to the
meanest parts of the town.
One day, as he was driving his ass
laden with water up a narrow street, he
net cavalcade of women riding, as is
customary in that country, upon donkey
covered with sumptnous housings. He
drew on one side to enable them TO pass
by; but a string OF cameis coming up at
the same instant. there ensued some con-
fusion. The veil of one of the women
became slightly deranged, and lbrahin
canght sight of a beautiful counenance.
! He contrived to ascertain who the la
dy was, and where she lived. She was
Rebecca, the only daughter of wealthy
Jew. From this time Ibrahim had but
one thought, that of becoming rich en-
ough TO demand Rebecca in marriage -
/ He had already savet. few pieces of
money; with these he bought himself bet
ter clothes, and he was now sometimes
sent to conduc, the donkeys hired for RI
ding.
! Ii so chanced that one OF his first ex-
ped,ions was To take Rebecca and her
attendants to mercer's shop. Either
from accident or coquetrv, Rebecca's S
veil again became deranged, and lbra.
him again beheld the heavenly face be-
meath it. lbrahim's appearance, and
his look Of burning passionate love did
not disp!ease the young Jewess. He
! Frequently attended her on her excursions,
and was often permitted to look beneath
The veil.
ibrahim deprived himself almost OF
the necessaries of life, and at length sa.
we'd enough of money to purchase all
ass OF his own. By degrees he was a.
bile TO buy more, and beca,ae a master,
employing boys under him.
When he thought himself sufficiently
well off in The world, he presented him
self before the family of Rcbecca, and
demanded her in marriage; but they did
not consider his prospects brilliant, and
rejected his proposals with coutempt.-
Rebecca, however, sent her old nurse Ia
him TO let him know that the family con-
temp, was not shared by her.
ibrahim was morc determined than
ever to obtain her. He went to a magi-
clan, who bade him return to Algiers; and
declared that if he accepted the first of
Ter of any kind he should receive after
entering the city, he would become rich,
and obtain the desire of his heart.
Ibrahim sold his asses. and departed
for Algers. He walked up and down
the streets ill nigh,fall, in expectation ol
the mysterious offer which had been
foretold-but no one came.
He had, however, been obserped by a
rich widow, somewhat advanced in years
Ia French woman, and the widow o
an officer OF engineers. She dispatch,
ed an attendant to discover who he was
and where he lived, and the next day
sent for him at her house. His graceful
address fascinated her even more than
his good looks, and she made him over.
lures Of marriage, offering at the sans
time TO settle upon him handsome por
ton of her wealth.
This was not precisely the mode in
which Ibrahim had intended to make his
fortune; but he recollec,ed the prediction
of the magician. and accepted the pro
posal.
i They were married, and for twelve
months Ibrahim lived with his wife il
great splendor and apparent happi.
ness. At the end of tina, time he pro
fessed to be called to Tunis by indispen
sable business, which would require his
lpresence 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 good supply of mo
ney. He again presented himself to the
French Consul at 'Tnnis, who was sur.
prised by the change in his appearance
The vest of lowered silk -broached with
gold, was girded around the waist by q
Barbary sash of the richest silk, his
ample trousers of fine cloth were me
by red morocco boots. Cashmere shawl
Of the most radiant colors was twisted
around his head; his beard, carefully
trimmed. fell half way down to his breas
Ia jewelled dagger hung at his grid
and an ample Bournooz, worn over all
Uaye an additional grace to his appear