Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-01
miscellaneous.
The Ass and His Treasure.
AN ARABIAN TALE,

dull, obstinateoand stupid Very different is the
case in the East; 0gd not unnot1rallY So speir
that the animal, undtr the more genial skies of
Oriental latitudes is as remarkable for docility,
activity and swftness as well as for elegance
of form, as its European congenor is for tordi-
ness of step and meanness of aspect. The Egyp.
tlan Arabs give the ass the precedence over all
other four footed creatures for intelligence and
sagacity, and their story teIers bring forward as
many stories in support Of this opinion as would
have kept Scheherezade from the block or the
bowsring for another month or two. Our young
readers may be pleased with sample of these
tales, and we select for their amusement one
which we find contributed to recent French
periodical by M. P. Granal, a writer who has
personally visited the East and who, by other
compositions, has proved himself to be Thoroughly
conversant with its fictions and customs. He
describes himself as having heard the story from
the lips of his temporary attendant in Egypt, a
professed narrator of such matters s--.NelO York
Organ.
RAJEB was young man of Cairo, who had
been left by his father with a fortune of about
2O00 piastres, Had he embarked this little for
tune in trade, and been industrious, he, might
have lived very comfortably; but he fell in love
soon after his father died, and could think of
nothing but the fair object of his passion She
was young girl, whose countenance he had
first seen for moment when by chance she put
aside her veil to drink at the fountain of mosque.
She was very plainly dressed, and appeared to
belong to some humble but decent family. But
she was rich in beauty, at least, and in modesty,
tor she hastily replaced her veil on seeing q
young man looking at her, and walked away
without turning to the right or the left, or look
ing back as coquettes do. Rajeb followed her.
and saw her enter plain house, of the kind
inhabited by the middle orders. From this time
forward Raieb consumed by the passion
which had sprung up in his breast. OF the OBJ
ject of it he could learn no more than that she
was as yirtuous and well behaved as she was
beautiful. At length he went to the parents Of
his mistress and asked her hand in marriage.
They received him very kindly but when he
came 10 speak Of the dowry which they expected
to be given by their daughters husband, they
demanded the sum Of 5000 piastres. This was
above the lovers means, and he exclaimed loudly
against the enormity of the sum but they were
obstinate, and Rajeb could ouly prevail on them
to give him few days to reflect and to look
about him Tor means If he did not appear at
the end of the stated time, they would hold
themselves at liberty they told him, to accept of
other offers.
Raieb returned home, amcnting and reproach-
ing himself with having ided away his past time.
All, if had worked hard, " said he, /" might
have increased my fortune and might now have
been happy" He took out his money and coun-
ted it several times, but he could not thus make
) it more than it was-2000 plastres. He lay
down on his bed and tried to sleep, but his mind
was loo much occupied with projects for procur-
ing the required dowry to permit him to rest
At last he bethought him of maternal uncle at
Tantah, whom he had not seen for eighteen
years, and who was reported TO be rich. Rajeb
had no sooner thought of this person than he le.
solved to visit him. He would borrow the 5000
; pastres' rich relation could not refnse such a
sum. The young man onged for the coming o.
day to set out on this hopeful Grand
Morning at length dawned, and Raieb started
on on his journey. In order to save money he
went on foot, hoping also to interest his uncle the
J more by this economy. When he reached the
first houses of Tantah, he inquired for his uncle
Jousoff, the rich Jousoff," of several boyes hi
i met.
u The rich Jousof' !" cried they {" say rathe
u the old beggarly miser Jousoff, who regrets tt
Il throw away bone when he has picked it white
One of the bo7s, however, conducted Rajeb It
{ his uncle's house. The young man entered i
: trembling, for the description which he had heart
u was by no means encouraging. When his unc
v came to him. Raieb saw an old, withered, ragge
" dirty being, who cried, What do you want !?
r' in rough voice.
o "Ah, my dear uncle" cried Rajeb, throwing
l. his arms about the old man, " do you not remem
Il Der Inc ? ain Rajeb, the son of your sister
Is little Rajeb, whom you loved when boy. al
's come, dear uncle, to see if you are we'll"
"Very WE'LL" said Jousof d" | am very wei
er but very poor shall not be able to show 20
$ very splendid hospitality
j. "What then ?" said Rnjeb cheerfuly; erich
It. es and poverty come from God"
e, At these words they entered the old man
l. apartment, dark and dingy, without any othC
$, furniture than an old mat and jar of water
Is neither pipes nor coffee were to be seen. Raje
W however, was patient and showed no i'll humo
'p That evening they feasted upon a crust
Ds wretched cheese, and some crumbs of black, d.
testable bread The cheese, such as it wa
,e was novelty in that place, and the neighbo
i'll who saw the old man buy it could scarcely b.
~ eve their eyes.
er Rajeb was not accustomed to rich fare bl
c. after bis journey he stood really in need of sou
IS. and roast, or something else that was good. B
Or he ate the bread and cheese and said nothing
" When they had done, be tried to lead the COZ