New Orleans daily crescent., 1854-12-25
Curious Eastern Gale.

There lived in Bagdad young man of such
extreme beauty that he was surnamed The
Brilliant" He had also the gift Of poesy On
men-el Benine, the wife of the Caliph, Ell. Guild
ben-Abd-el-Melik, was SO much in love with
this young man that she fell sick She intro
duced him into her apartment every day, and,
when she feared to be disturbed by the approach
of any one, she concealed her lover in Golfer
Such was their daily course
One day the Caliph received present of q
collar Of gold garnished> with precious stones
with which he was greatly pleased. 81 will
reserve this for my wife, said he, and immedi-
ately he ordered one of his eunuchs to carry
the collar to the Sultana.
The slave, in going to execute his commission,
found the house door open. "What does this
mean? - inquired he of himself So saying, he
advanced stealthily along toward the chamber,
whence proceeded sounds Of laughter, and he
met the eyes Of the young man, who started and
became as pale as death.
With bound, the Sultana pushed him into
the Golfer; but the slave had seen all.
He presented the collar, and said g Madam,
must demand of you a stone from this jewell ?
Indignant at such boldness, she exclaimed !:
Rude creature, depart from my preseneei"
The enraged slave went straight to his mas
ter and said: "My Lord, to-day I found man
in conversation with your wife in such cham
ber. AT my approach the Sultana hid him in
precisely such Golfer" He then described the
piece of furniture.
The Caliph was infuriated against the servant
for bringing him such message. s'Thou base,
miscreant dogi' he exclaimed, and ordered his
head to be cut off.
When the execution was over, the Caliph
rose, put on his slippers, and went to his wifes
apartments. She was occupied in arranging q
head dress, He entered and sat facing her
upon the Golfer indicated by the slave. He said
to her in the course of conversation: s' How
happens it that you have such liking for this
chamber ?"
Because my apparel is here,' she replied.
g May / dare to hope that you will favor me
with one Of the Golfers with which the chamber
is furnished?''
ssTake, my lord, whichever you please, with
the exception of the one you are seated upon. !"
This is precisely the one l prefer replied
the Ga1iph; "you must let me have it,
After moments stupor, the Sultana said to
him: g Very we'll, it is yours"
AT signal from the Caliph, the blacks
appeared. sf Take this Golfer into the Hall Of
Council, and wait for me.'' y
While the slaves were bearing away the cof-
fer, the countenanee Of the Sultana bore traces
of confusion.
'sWhy dost thou change countenance'' in
quired Ell Guild; '' Perhaps this Golfer may con-
tain thy heart
Pardon me, my lord, it contains nothing
such. If appear little moved, it is because
I have been taken suddenly ILL"
.sGod will cure thee" observed the Caliph,
retiring
When he reached the Hall of Audience, he
found the Golfer upon the floor. ssRaise the
carpet he said to his slaves, and dig hole
the size of man.
The pit being dug, he made sign to place
the Golfer on the brink. Then planting his foot
bupon the piece of furniture, he pronounced the
following words: '' News has come to me; if it
! is true, thy vestment shall be thy shroud, this
| box shall be thy bier, and it is God that immo-
lates thee. If this news is false, inter Golfer,
and lose only q few planks." He then pushed
the box, which descended rapidly to the bottom
of the pit The blacks filed up the grave and
replaced the carpet.
The Caliph then returned to his spouse, and
| both deported themselves as if nothing had hap.
pened between them. Peace united their exist
enee until the day of death. [London Court
journal.