Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-25

on the face that was soon TO be shrouded
from him forever. Suddenly the old man
drew forth from his bosom memorial OF
his affection. that was indeed indelible,
and fixing his look intensely OH his friend
A" Semid," he said. Il have hesitated
whether to conSign to YOU this ring.
and darkness is on my spirit as to the
| result. Place this ring on your finger,
and it will invest you with SURPRISING
beauty Of feature and form, which, if
rightly used, will conduct you to honor
and happiness; but if abused to the pur-
poses of vicious indulgence, will make
sorrow and rcmorse your portion through
life, Having uttered these words, he
sank hack, and died
All night the Syrian boy mo1rned loud
ly over the body of his benefactor and
the next day watched over it till sunset.
when with difficulty hc dug a rude grave
and inferred it. Early on the second
morning he pursued his way through the
forest, and the sun was hot on the plain
beyond ere he advanced from its gloomy
receSSeS. He had placed the ring. of
green color and without ornament, on his
finger, and already amid his grief for the
loss of his friend, his heart Swelled with
vanity at the many advantages it had
given him. Oppressed with the heat he
drew to where a fountain gushed forth
beneath few palm trees on the plain.
and he formed limpid pool he stopped
to drink, but started back at bcholding
the change few hours had made. The
sur-hhrnt of the shepherd boy had given
place to countcnance of dazzling fair
ness and beauty; the dark ringlet clus-
tered on the pure forehead over still dark
er eyes, whose look was irresistible: his
step became naughty "a he pursued his
way, and saw each passenger fix on him
gaze of admiration, and he glanced with
dlSdaln on his coarse peasants dress.
The sun was setting OH the splendid
mosques and gilt minaIcts of the city of
Damascus, now full in view, when num-
crous train of horScmcn drew near it
was HuSScin, the son of the Pacha, re-
turning from the course. Strttck at the
sight Of one so meauly clad, yet so ex-
tremcly beautiful, he stopped and de-
manded whence he came and whittier he
was journeying on Scmid replying he
was iriendlesS, and stranger, he badc
him follow in his train, and added on the
morrow he should become one of his own
guards. The next day, i'll his military
habit, a"d rich arins, and mounted on a
fine Arab couser, he rode ny the Princes
side. Each day now saw some improve
mcnt in the shepherd of the Orontes
possessing by nature quick imagination,
and an cntcrpriSing spirit, he made a
rapid progress i'll the plishmentS of
the court of Damascus. Speedily promo-
ted by the IIusSein, whose fayorite he had
h..,--:.e, u..,1 ou,I,lIvu Dy all for the eX-
quisite personal advantages he possessed,
he Joined with those of his own rank in
every amusement and pleasure the city
afford.
Amid scenes like these the memory of
his father and mother, the lonely cottage
on the rivers bank, his few sheep, aid
his mountain solitudcS, grew more and
more faint and love for simplicity and
innocence of life and heart was lost ire
trievably, and the senses were prepared to
Weld to the first seduction. The favorite
mistress of ffIuSscin. beautiful CircaSsian.
had one morning, while walking beneath
the sycamore trees by the river side, seen
Semid playing at the ierlid with the prince,
and his uncommon loneliness of counte-
nance and noble figure had inspired her
with violent passion.
One day. as he sat beneath the portico
of colfee-house, one of these women
approached him whose employment 1t is
to sell nosecays of flowers to the Turkish
ladies; she drew one from her basket, and
put it into his hand: the various flowers
were so arranged as to convey d message
of love from that lady the fame of whose
charms filled the whole city. Dceply
tiattered as the heart of Semid was at
this discovery, and filled with intense
curiosity to b,hold such pcrfections, be
still hesitated, gratitude to his benefac-
tor IIusscin. the memory of the lessons
of piety so often received from hi. parents,
the dying words of the pilgrim of Mecca,
all conSpired 10 deter him. But, to be
the object of the love of such a woman,
and solicited to behold her the thought
was irresistible.
Night came, and the last call to prayer
of the A1uezzin from the minaret had
ceased, when, disguised, he climbed the
lofty wall that encircled the harem of the
prince. and, gliding through the garden,
was admitted by one of the eunuchs, who
conducted him through severalapartments
into one that was the abode of the favor
ite. Dazzled at the sight of excessive
beauty. Scmid stood motionlcss, unable
to advance, or withdraw his eyes from
the Circassian, who rose, and waved her
hand for him to be seated on the ottoman
beside her. Scarcely had he obeyed her,
and recovering from his confusion, begun
to declare the passion he felt, when the
loud sound of voices and steps rapidly
approaching, Scrai was heard. Semid
started up, and paralyzcd by his feelings,
gazed alternately at the lady, and at the
door, through which he every moment