The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-11-03
The English Merchant amd the Saraccn
Lady,
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

~
young merchant named Gilbert 4. Beckett. :
In that simple old time the wonders Of
science and art among which we walk and
live just as if they had always bcen--likc
the trees aud flowers, the sky and stars
were never thought or dreamed of, except
ny the great poets, who, may be-with their
prophet eyes, looked away into the fair fl-
ture, and saw them looming up above the
coming ages, like the mountain peaks in the
distance Of landscape Then the great
ocean could beave aud swell, and roar and
rage, and toss their mad frothing waves up
to the sky, as if to defy the great God-and
then obcdicnt to His will, grow quiet and
smooth again, year after year. without one
single thing yenturing over their vast eX.
panse, 10 be made afraid Of their violence,
efnaatercd by their ealm---and oil the coin,
{ncice Of the world was scarcely equal to
9eQf 1fIc p0urcag -Sulf AspsGiiest OF the
Edomkcf our tiincs.p Then going TO sea
Hor:cetssi4efed more pcrilous than going to
fueutAs A6yagcrs never failed to make thcit
wills and set their earthly affairs in order
Ibeiorc they weighed anchor and set sail for
foreign parts. TO be sure, it has lately
seemed very much as though we were fast
going blc. to those old times, doubtful and
dangerous times, those dark ages of nayiga-
| ton and discoveries, we can count but little
on sale and prosperous voyages.
Bat to return to Gilbert 4. Beckett. He
was thought to be a brave and adventurous
man when he left his English home and
sailed for the Holy Land TO trade with the
rlch Syrians for satin, velvet aud gems,
winch he meant 10 bring to England at great
profits. lie probably calculated from this
| speculation to double his fortune, ana buy
a title, and 50 become a noble Of the land,
and live in brave castle, where he could
receive his king aud his court, and entertain
them IN princcly style. But alas title and
royal guests were not for him; and all the
| castle he was to lay claim to was a castle in
The AIR such a ono as any one might build
| lie was taken prisoner NY the Turks, and
robbed Of his silks, and sold as a slave
ictterod and set to work in the palace gar
dcns oi MahmOud, a terrible black faced,
black bearded, big turbancd Saraccn chief
1t was very hard fortune, that Of Gil
bert y. Beckett lie was obliged to toll from
morning to night, digging and spading
planting and wedding, and all the while
with the disadvantages Of not knowing
much about the garden business, and OF
having heavy chain dragging and clank-
ine at his ankles You nay depend tha, he
| felt that if lac could get back to England he
would never more aspire TO titles and cas-.
ties, nor trouble himself if the king and
court never should eat n good dinner, or
shake their hecis at dance again.
But often ont Of our greatest misfurtuncs
tcomc our best good and happiness, and hope
land joy often follow times Of fear and sor.
{row, as beautiful rliuhowS are made on, Of
Estorms that have Just dlrkcncd the sky aud
Beaten down the flowers One evening, lust
/ as the mcu2lin was calling all piouS Mus.
Rsnlmcn 10 prayers, Gilbert 4. Beckett stood
leaning against palm tree, resting little
from his daily toll thinking -lnngingly
Of his country and home. just then
'Yamnng ,.mg ,Saracen lady of marvellous beauty
evening walk, and was very much struck
with the appearance OF the stranger. In
truth, a. Gilbert stood there leaning so
gracefully against the palm, with his pale
face cast down, and his rich auburn hair
half yelling hs sad eyes, to say nothing Of
his long golden laShcs and silkcn mouytachc,
he was a very handsome and interesting
young man, in spite of the gardeners dress
and that siaysh chain, looked as proud and
noble as prince.
Iarina TIA ought so, and though very proud
and tlmld, drew near to speak a few Kind
words to him. He looked up at the sound
Of her light step, and for the first time for
many months he smiled, gladdcncd by the
sight OF her beautiful face
The ballad does not tell how these two
beautiful beings became acquainted, but it
is certain that they grew to be excellent
friends, and managed to meet often, and
have long walks and talks together in Nah
moud's garden. They first talked OF the
birds, aud then of the flowers, then Of the
stars and moonlight, then Of love, and then
Of God. Gilbert told Xarina of the Chris
tian's blessed faith, and related all the
beautiful and touching stories of our Lord
Jesus, and Xarina wondered, wcpt and be
liCycd.
Gilbert had learned the Saraccn language
and spoke it very well, but Xarna did not
understand the English at ALL The frs,
word that she ever spoke was yes" which
Gilbert had taught her to say when he asked
her if she would he his wife whenever he
could gain his freedom. But month after
month, whole year rolled away, and Gil.
bert was Still captive.
One day when Xarina met her lover in n
shady garden walk, she said in low, gen
tic voice, and with her tender, eyes cast
down, 81 am a Christian now, dear Gilbert;
pray to God morning aud night. Thou
knowcst ! am all orphan. ! love no one in
the world but thee; then why should | stay
here Why shoudst thou ingcr in bond
age? Let us fly to England. God will guide
us safely over the wide. dark waters, for we
are Christians, and need not fear anything.
will meet you tonight on the sea shore,
and bring gold and jewels enough to pur
chase vessel and hire a skillfu crcw-and
when, q, my Gilbert, we are alloat on the
broad, blue sea, and sailing toward thy
home, thou wilt love and bless me, wilt thou
not?'
The merchant Kissed the maidcn's hand
and promised to meet her on the strand at
the appointed hour. And he did not fail,
but long he walked the shore, and yet no
light footed Xarna came lifting through
the deep night shadows, towards him.-
North, south, east and west he looked but
all in vain The night was clear, the winds
whispered low, the little wave slid on the
Sca-shorc, and seemed to invite him to sail
away over them to the seas bcyond-but
the stars overhead twinklcd SO mcrrily and
wnkcd so knowingly, that he lancicd they
had betrayed the story Of his and Iarina's
love and intended flight. At length he heard
quick and light step, and sprang forward
with joyful cry. Alas! it was not Harina,
but her faithful nurse, Safe, who came to
tell him that Xarina's love had been discov
cred, and that he must escape alone. She
sent him caskct of gold and gems, with
promise that as soon AS possible she would
escape and come to him at London.
There was really nothing for Gilbert to
do but to accept Zarnas caskct of jewels,
and follow her advice; so after sending her
many loving farewell messages by Safe, he
went.
He had prosperous voyage, and reached
London in safety, when he gave his friends
Joyful surprise, they having given him up
for dead.
Year after year went by, and he saw