The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-05-13
AN EASTERN ROMANCE.
The Two Wives
or the Fanatic Hus band.


communicated to the writer by friend, residing
in the East, who had it from the French Consul
himself. 1t reminds one of the Arabian Nights.
In the year 1886, Jewish family residing at
Algiers were plunged in the greatest distress by
the death of the father. A son, two daugters,
and a mother, were by this calamity left almost
destitute. After the funeral, the son, whose name
was lbrahim, sold what little property there was
to realize and gave it to his mother and sisters; ;
after which, he left Algers and departed for Tu-
mis-, hoping that if he did not find his fortune, he
would at least make livelihood there.
He presented himself to the French Consul
with his papers, and requested alicense as dom
key-driver. This was granted, and Ibrahim en-
tered the service of a man who let out asses
both for carrying water and for hire.
Ibrahim was extremely 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 sight
He used to be sent with water-skins to the mean
est ports of the town.
One day, as he was driving his ass laden with
water up narrow street, he met calcade of
women riding (as usual in that country upon
donkeys covered with sumptuous housings. He
drew side to allow them to pass by, but
string fcamels coming up at the same instant,
there ensued some confusion. The veil of one
of the women became slight deranged, and
Ibrahim caught slightly of lovely countenance.
He contriyed to ascertain who the lady was
and where she lived. She was Rebecca, the on
ly daughter of q wealthy Jew.
From this time, Ibrahim had but one thought;
that of becoming rich enough to demand Rebec-
ca in marriage. He had already saved up a few
pieces of money; with these he bought himself
better clothes, and he was now sometimes sent
to conduct the doukeys hired out for riding.
1t so CHANGED, that one of his first expeditions
was to take Rebecca and her attendants to amer
GERS shop. Either from accident coquetry,
Rebecca's veil became again deranged, and again
Ibrahim beheld the heavenly face beneath it
Ibrahim's appearance, and his look of burning
passionate love, did not displease heyoung Jew
ess. He frequently attended her on her excur
sions, and he was often permitted TO see beneath
the veil.
Ibrahim deprived himself almost of the neces-
,aries of life, and at length saved enough money
TO purchase an ass Of his own.
When he thought himself sufficiently well off
in the world, he presented himself before the
family of Rebecca, and demanded her in mar
risge; but they did not consider his propects
. brilliant, and rejected his proposals with con-
contempt. Rcbecca, however sent her old nurse
TO him (just a lady in the ARABIAN Nights"
might have sent similar messenger) to let him
know that the family contempt not shared
by her.
Ibrahim was more determined than ever to OBJ
tain her. He went to magician, who bade him
return to Algiers, and declared that if he accep-
ted the first offer of any kind which 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 AL
giers. He walked up and down the streets till
nightfall, in expectation of the mysterious offer
which had been foretold-but no one came.
He had, however, been observed by rich
widow, somewhat advanced in years. French
woman, and the widow of an officer of engineers
She despatched an attendant to discover who he
was and where he lived, and the next day sent
for him to her house. His graceful address fas-
cinated her even more than his good looks and
she made him overtures of marriage offering
at the same time to settle upon him a handsome
portion of her wealth
This not precisely the mode in which
Ibrahim had intended to make his fortune but,
he recollected the prediction of the magician,
and accepted the proposal.
They were married, and for twelve months
Ibrahim lived with his wife in great splendor
and apparent happiness AT the end of that
time he professed to be called to Tunis by indis-
pensable business, which would require his pre-
scnce for some time. His wife made no opposi-
ton, though she was sorry to lose him, and
wished to accompany him but that he prohibit
ted and departed alone taking with him a good
supply of money.
He again presented himself before the French
Consul at Tunis, who was surprised at the change
in his appearance. His vest of Powered silk,
brocaded with gold, was girded round the waist
by Carbary sash of the richest silk his am
pie trowsers of fine cloth were met by red mo-
rocco boots; a Cashmere shawl of the most ra-
diant colors was twisted round his head his
beard, carefully trimmed, fell halfway down his
breast; a jeweled dagger hung at his girdle !;
and an ample Bournooz worn over all, gave an
additional grace to his appearance, while it SER
rrd 70 conceal his rich attire. which far exceed