Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-11-09
AN EASTERN STORY.
THE ORIENTAL MERCHANT.

lnsix months from that time, and cred the
hour aud day. He was q young man fullof
hope and eon6dence, and Kodaded was old
and vary. MY sOn, said the latter, 'this is
perhaps, rash promise. Say one year. But
hst Hamed would not sccepi q further delay.
lie vas going from Tarsus toDamaseus on a
commercial journey, and had accurately ealcu.
listed The time. one. mouth to 90; one month. to
spaEe. But, the accidents Of Ihe road, ,--siek.
ness. robbers, Unforeseen delaysi He relied
IuPoa the mercy sf God, and Milhmany asssV.
sratioas said ihSL ct the appointed time he wo'd
present himself At the kiosqus Of the merchant
kodadad, on tie banks OF the river, and Law.
befOrs lin hundred golden dinars. The ne.
ney vas lent without interest, and payment
wes sacred obligation.
The eaFaYan.Asl oul, Gags flying. and drums
oeatng from the rendezvous on the opposite
side OF the river, and soon entered the g1rgsa
OF the mountains. Alter proceeding q little
way, ahak Nas agreed upon, or many Of the
merchants bad staysd behind. saying their last
Adisus 70 their families, and maEiag additions
to their merchandise. hsj Hamed, who pos.
sessed several camel loads and had been among
the 6rss 70 be resdy a: the place OF mssting,
ItePtnea - thb oelAys EEF H...n a.f IfH
de had earned his title of Hal, or Pilgrim;
when boy, by ygoing 10 company with his father
. the shrine Of the Prophet. but this was the
first journey he bad undertaken since. II.
impotence, therefore, may be excused. u,
had started with the idea Of making fortune;
and Was impatient to be doing, Besides, there
vas his promise 70 Kpdadad. If he. forfeited
that, his Credit was gone forever. According
y, be spent the first pant OF the day that fol
lowed the halt, sting by the roadside, count
ing the stragglers that came in, and jeeIiae
them for their tardiness. This young man,
said some, believes that time was made oplJ
for him. What matters day more or less !,
At the end OF life We shall have TO regret our
limpatience. There are evils by the wayside.--
Why should we be eager to some up will
them = asf-.... .-....,.. =. :.
These philosophical remarks found no favor
with Hsi Hsmed, who instead Of initiating hi.
companions. and reclining lazily, under th,
shadow Of trees on the green grass. listening
70 the songs Of the birds and the gurgling VI
the stream, began at length to roam uneasil,
about tie saw that anotter sun would set, anc
perhaps another, and behold them still in tht
lap OF the same valley. He climbed the moun,
talns, eudeayOrirg to distract his thoughts, and
whenever he obtained glimpse of the en-
campment below. be gazed at il, cndeaYorng
to discern signs Of forward movement. But,
the tents remained innsbruck; they reclned in
groups the camels and horses were dispersed
here and there: and the lazy tinkling OF their
bells showed that they, at any rate, were en-
ying themselves The young merchant tleng,h turn
Aavs and "A dfnfn n
sE Nature had no charms Gor him. As he went, ht
counted IN bis memory the number Of pieces OF cloth
his bales conaned compaled the cost price with the
probable market price, EndTsyssd In the anticipation Of
ggsniG profits TO be realized in the paradise Of his i'm
AsinAdOn--tOms dusy bazaar IN the far OF city Gf De
mascus, Il. ''' - ''- '-i .t.i
Whilst he We, mediatiug on these sordid matters, he
wss suddsnIyFecahCdtO himself by surprising accident
4 huge mantle thrown Otsr his head; and before
he had time to struggle he cast on the grouAd and
rolled up, Ike bale Of his goods in complete dark
ness Az 6lst be thought that instant death TO be
Ibis fate: and be muFmuTed. May heaven pay my debt
TO The merchant Kodadadv Soon, however, IL appear
ed that he was only prisoner while smothered laugh
Isg came bis eaIs He tiled 10 speak, but no answer
was Eeturned, except renewed laughter. Presently,
thOss Who carried him, set him down; the bonds that
confined h.E we're loosened, the mantle was Whisked
away and his surprise, be found himself in beauti
ul gaden rounded by beVy of maidens, who clap.
psd their hands and enjoyed bis amazed Appearance
Hai Hamed vas TOO ihorougly an Olenial not to uu.
depand his position, after fsw moments thought
he had evidently bee1 watched during HE progress
Through the Forest By the inmates Of harem
Numbered BY male attendants who in a spirit Of fun
made him prisoner. The incident 10 not on uncommon
onss IL may believe narraOrs but il generally leads
10 disageesbe results Our merchant felt uncomfortable
hese merry girls quite capable he thought after
having nader butt Of him, Of tlrowingh him cowpa well
or inlo apond He looked around for the chief among
them rather anxously, and recognized her In very
young uaden who, siter having laughed With the rest
had auug herself apie ot cushions under tree, and
was gaxing Al him with Interest. '."'
"LadyPsaid Ie assuming humble attitude, "this u
mot wise nor we'll am merchant travelling with my
gOOts that require cafe aud watehiuneV and beg to b
Released" ".5i o. "a E1l. hlEyy afiw 8id' F'v ,
She seemed annoyed that her beauty, which wal
great, did not amaze him and replied: -.---..
Esar n0;hing, Tnore Is no dagger. Tnisis my faith
ers kiOsque. BE has given il to NE and hive het'
with ny alaldens uhnOested. TheisiS gbA OF slave
aEthe gate: but they eny appear a. Sglalst DANCE
when soand thiss SHELL" ann a =.
Sue raised the cOnch TO her lips, and Shiill sound 6
led the air. The slave girls, scarcely understanding
tire motive again cas- tie mautls Hamtd and badl
oinl be sinG aud nOlionless. Several men hwFi
edly but dismissed With jeers and nOekeiies. il
teT moments, the merchant more dead than alive v at
acoveeed again. and told be Of good cheer, Tor ht
ngd PERMISSION 10 depart, s;r. \, L...,... =.
BY this tine, however, Oeauty nau oegun 10 exert t
Influence; aud Hej Hamed, inStead ofiIsg, remsineC
gazug sdniratOn at tho lady OF the Place. she ue
hs galoe at first with diSdainful expression; but
corlg 70 tile Oriental idea two such souls havesecre
s5mpAthIes from Ge Influence Of which neither can e
cape Is ss5s-a ;5-,..t,. . ii 49, ~,
No sooner did theit eyes meetin full gaze than both
felt faint at heart. Tue iady rrnsd very pole audiesn
cd ner nsa upVn lhs hiop; the madens, raising the
GrCmbLng H4med lei Lin " her side. They talked iol
horrs mi Of themselves but oil love; end expaliat
eI6adel, o,l tue hsppestet uTeesIg st thsAttenc
ahts played on their lnles sang songs usha i've o.
their i uaou The shslow5 OF night we're coming on
Shea peeISr sound &c The outer gate announced ha
the thsn Of the maiden whose name was elah, hsi
come to ,sI! her, So Hsj HAned vas thrust uneeFsmo
niay forth; and @as awakened from his dream pfhsp
pne;s amid the deepening gloon Of the forest lie re
turned boned down and heavy hearted TO the encamf
ment.
His thought Kept him awake for many hours u va
lnesunl the gky that stretched betwxt the mountain
tops head had begun 70 whiten, that at lengtb