The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-19
.No.e,s427.. (.

The shadows Of night were coming on, when
a peculiar sound at the gate announced that
the fathor, of tho maiden. whose name was
Leilah, had como to visit her. Hal. Hamed
returned, bowed down and heavy hearted,to
tho encampment. IIe proceeded upon his
Journey, which was prosperous, but tedious
Month after month passed away after his ar
rival at Damascus, and most of Hamed's bales
still remained on his hands. At length, how
ever, merchant about to proceed to Bagdnd,
made him an advantageous offer for tho whole
of his stock, and he was enabled to depart, af-
ter having realized good profit, On his ro-
turn he wandered into tho mountains. endeav-
oring to follow the sarme track as before; but
although no several times imagined he recog-
nzod the trocs and rocks. his search was un-
successful. All was wild and seemingly un-
inhabited He called aloud, "Leilah:' but the
but the echoes only answered, ala! lal--no, no;
and when night came, he knew not which way
to turn. So he sat down beneath huge syc-
amoro to wait patiently until tho morning.
When light came no remembered his prom
iso to Kadodad. He was 10 pay the hundred
dinars at noon. He determined to hasten to
Tarsus on foot over the mountains, for he
knew the direction in which it lay. Many
hours of travel were before him; but he was
light of foot, and at length bched in tho dis
tance tho mnarets of tho city, and the winding
course Of tho river. Suddenly, tho landscape
darkened. Clouds seemed to como out of ev-
cry valley, and to inundate the plain The
rain fell, and tho wind blew. lie hastened
onward, clutchng the leather purse in which
he carried his wealth, and invoking tho nssis-
tance Of the Prophet. When he Reached tho
banks of tho river, he heard through the mist,
a muezzn proclaiming the hour of noon from
distant mosque. The waters were turbu-
| Iank hos in, ciuh wa
| impossible to cross Hal. Hamed prayed;
and an idea came to his mind. Hoplucked a
large reed, and followed it, and placed thoro-
| in a hundred pieces Of gold, and tied other
reeds to il, and floated this raft upon tho stream
| and confided IN the mercy of God. d.Oii.ua
| Now, ithappencd it that Kodadad; remember
| ing Hal. Hamed's promise, had gone to his XII.
osque that day to wait for his money. The
/ wind blow. tho rain foil. Tho debtor did not
appear; ave must allow him un hours grace
| for the storm is Violent" said Kodadad. Tho
muezzin chanted the hour of noon. Tie mcr-
| chant called to his slave to bring another pipe.
| Presently q bundle of reeds camo floating
along the misty waters; black boy STOPPING
forward seized them as they passed. He was
| about 10 cast them away again, when the un :
usual weight prevented him. "Mas.er," said
he, "tbis a reed of lead" The merchant. who
| wished to pass the time, told him TO break tho
| reeds. He did so, and 10! hundred glittering
pieces Of gold fell suddenly upon the pavement
| Of tho hiosquel
This story. which is told in many different
ways, illustrates the Oriental idea of mercan-
| tile probity. Turkish merchants, in their
dealings among themselves, are famous for
keeping their engagements with scrupulous
exactitude; and tho example of Haj. Hamed is
often cited as model. Of course, it is un-
deistood tha. the debt, al in good golden di-
G tic oSpe 6dg a always
| in tho good deeds of his servants. Theyoung
merchant was not without his reward. His
credit was in future unlimited. But not only
so Kodadad insisted on giving him his daugh-
tor in marriage. And it will surprise none but
very matter-offact- people, Ito whom we do not
address this legeng. that his daughter turned
out to be tho very same imprudent Leilah,
whose fascinations had nearly caused Hal Ha-
med to dishonor his verbal promissory note.