Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-01-01
EVENING STAR.
CURIOUS EASTERN TALE.

There lived in Bagdad a young man of
such extreme beauty that he was sur
named the Brilliant. lie had also the
gift of poesy. Oumen-el- -Benine, the wife
OF the Caliph, El-Oulid- -ben-Abd-el-Me-
Tx, was so much in love with this
young man that she fell sick. She in.
troduced' 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 re-
ceived present of a collar of gold gsr.
mshed with precious stones, with which
he was greatly pleased. Il will reserve
this for my wife, F" 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 TO-
wards the chamber, whence proceeded
sounds of laughter, and he met the eyes
of the young man, who started and be.
came pale as death. With bound the
Sultana pushed him into the Golfer; but
the slave had seen all. lie presented the
collar, and said, Madam, | must de.
mand of you stone from this level. ,,
Indignant at such boldness, she ex-
claimed, Crude creature, depart from
my presence: The enraged slave went
straight to his master and said, /" Nv
lord, to-day l found man in converse.
ton with your wife in such a chamber.
AT my approach the Sultana hid him pre-.
clpitately in such Golfer" He then de-
scrlbed the piece of furniture. The Ca.
liph was infuriated against the servant
for bringing him such message. Thou
base miscreant dog =" he exclaimed, and
he ordered his hsad to be cut off. When
the execution was over the Caliph rose,
put on his slippers, and went To his wife's
apartments. She was occupied in arran-
ging her head-dress. lie entered and
sat facing her upon the Golfer indicated
by the slave. He said to her, in tie
course of conversation, "How happens
it that you have such a liking for this
chamber!" Because my apparel is here"
she replied. May | dare to hope that
you will favor me with one of the Golfers
with which the chamber is furnishedln
" Take, my lord, whichever you please,
with the exception of the one YOU are
seated upon" "This is precisely the
one l prefer" replied the Oaliph; you
must let me have it." After a mo-
ment's stupor the Sultana said to
him, Every well, il is yours. At a
signal from tie CaIph, the blacks an
peared. Take this Golfer into the Han
of Council, and wait for me ~ While
the slaves were bearing away the cotter,
the cOuntenance of the Sultana bore
traces o. confusion. "Why dost thou
change counteHance! inquired El-Culd:
perhaps this coffer may contain thy
heart" Pardon me, my lord, it con-
tains nothing such. If appear little
moved, it is because have been taken
suddenly ill., God will cure thee" Oh,
served the Caliph, retiring. When y
reached the Hall Of Audience. he found
the Golfer upon the floor "Raise the
carpet, he said to his slaves, land dig
hole the size of a man. The pit being
dug, he made sign to place the Golfer on
the brink. Then planting one foot upon
the piece of furniture, he pronounced the
following words: "News has come to
me; 1t is true, this vestment shall be
thy shroud, this box shall be thy bier,
and it is God that immolates thee. If
this news is false, [ inter Golfer, and
lose only a few planks." He then pushed
the box, which descended rapidly to the
bottom of the pit. The blacks filled up
the grave and replaced the carpet. The
Caiiph then returned to his spouse, and
both deported themselves as if nothing
had happened between them. Peace
united their existence until the day of
death.