Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-03
THE ORIENTAL MERCHANT

A"I Al MEhCHANT.
When Hal Hamed borrowed hundred dinars
OF the merchant kOdadad. he swore by the
faith OF the prophet to return the sum within
SIX months from that time and fixed the hour
and day He was young man full of hope and
confidence, and KOdadad was old and wary
My son, said the latter, - this is perhaps a
rash promise. Say one year" But Hal Ham
ed would not accept further delay He was
going from IarSus to Damascus on q CONNER
feial journey, and had accurately calculated
the time. One month to go; one month to come
back; three months to sell all his goods; a whole
month to spare. But, the accidents of the
road d,-sickness robbers, unforeseen delay He
relied upon the mercy Of God; and with many
ssseveratiOns said that at the appointed time
he would present himself Mt the kiosque of the
merchant kOdadad on the banks of the river.
and lay before him hundred golden dinars
The money was lent without interest and pay
ment was a sacred obligation.
The caravan set out flags flying and drums
beating. from the rendezvous on the opposite
side Of the river, and soon entered the gorges
Of the mountains. After proceeding a little way,
halt was agreed upon; for many of the mer-
chants had stayed behind, saying their last
adieus to their families and making additions
70 their merchandise. Hal Hamed, who pos
seSSe1 several camel-lOads, and had been among
the first to be ready at the place ofmeeting, re-
pinned at this delay.
He had earned his title of Hal or Pilgrim
when boy by going in company with his father
TO the shrine of the prophet; but this was the
first journey ne had undertaken since His i'm
patience. therefore. may be excused He had
started with the idea Of making fortune; and
was impatient to be doing. Besides. there was
his promise to kOladad. If he forfeited that,
his credit was gone forever Accordingly, he
spent the first part of the day that followed the
halt, sitting by the roadside. counting the strag
glers that came in. and jeering them for their
ri L..
heyes that time was made only for him. What
matters day more or less At the end Of life
we shall have to regret our impatience. There
are evils by the wayside. Why should we be
eager to come up with them?"
These philosophical remarks found no favor
with Hal Hamed, who, instead Of initiating his
companions, ald reclining lazily, under the
shadow Of trees on the green grass, listening to
the songs of the birds and the gurgling of the
stream. began at length TO roam uneasiIy about
Tie saw that another sun would set. and perhaps
another. and behold them still in the lap of the
same valley. He climbed the mountains en-
deavOring 70 distract his thoughts, and when
ever he obtained glimpse of the encampment
below, ne gaZed at 1T, endeavOrng to discern
signs IL Forward movement. But, the tents
remained innsbruck; the people reclned in
groups the camelS and horses were dispersed
here and there; and the lazy tinkling of their
oelis showed that they, at any rate, were enjoy
ing themselves The young merchant at length
turned away and plunged into the deep recesSes
Of the forest. Nature had no charms for him
A ne went, he counted in his memory the num-
Der Of pieces Of cloth his bales contained, COM
pared the cost price with the probable market
prlce, and revelled in the anticipation of gigan-
tic profits to be realized in the paradise Of his
lmagination-SOme dusty bazaar in the far-off
city of Damascus.
Whilst he was meditating on these sordid
matters, he was suddenly recalled to himself by
surprising accident. A huge mantle was
thrown over his head and before he had time
TO struggle, be was cast on the ground and rolled
up, like a bale of his own goods. in complete
darkness At first he thought instant death
was 10 be his fate and he murmured; Nav
Heaven pay my debt to the merchant KOdadad,''
Soon, however, 1t appeared that he was only a
prisoner while smOthered laughter came to his
ears. He tried to speak but no answer was re-
turned, except renewed laughter. Presently
those who carried him set him down; the bonds
that confined him were loOsened. the mantle
WAS whiskel away, and. to his surprise he
found himself In a beautiful garden. surround
ed by n bevy of maidens who clapped their
hands and enjoyed his amazed appearance
Hal Hamed was too thoroughly an Oriental
not to understand his position. after few mo-
ments thought. lie had evidently been watched
during his progress through the forest, by the
inmates of some harem unencumbered by male
tendantS. who in a spirit Of fun made him n
Z
IA Se may believe narratOrs; but it generally
leads TO diSagreeable results Our merchant
felt uncomfortable. These merry girls were
quite capable, he thought, after having made a
butt of him, of throwing him down a well or
into a pond. He looked around for the chief
among them, rather anxiOusly and soon recog-
nlzed her In a very young maiden, who, after
having laughed with the rest, had flung herself
carelessly on pile Of cushions under tree
and was gazing az him with interest
Lady, said he, assuming an humble atti-
tude, = this Is not wise nor we'll am a mer-
chant travelling with my goods that require care
and Watchfulnes>, and beg to be released .
She seemed annoyed that her beauty which
was great did not amaze him; and replied
. Fear nOthing-there is no danger This is
my fathers kiOsque. lie has given it to me
and live here with my maidens unmOlested
There is a guard Of slave, at the cato, but they
only appear at signal Of danger-When / sound
this she'll"
She raised conch TO her lips, and shrill
sound filed the air. The slave girls scarcely
understanding the motive, again east the man
tie over HOmed and babe him be silent nd
motonless. Several men came hurriedy but
we're dismissed with jeers and mockeries In a
fiv moments the merchant, more dead than
aIiVe, was uncovered again and told to be OF
good cheer, for he had permission to depart
BY this time, however, beauty had begun to
exert Its influence, and Hal Haned, instead of
lady Of the place. She met his glance at first
with a disdainful expression; but according to
the Oriental idea, two such souls have secret
sympathies, from the influence of which neither
can escape. No sooner did their eyes meet in a
full gaze, than both felt faint 1t heart. The
lady turned very pale, and leaned her head
upon the cushion; the maidens, raising the
trembling Hamed, led him TO her side. They
talked for hours; not of themselves, but of
love and eIpatiated elOquently on the happi-
ness Of meeting, whilst the attendants played
on their rutes. or sang - illustrative of their
situation. The shadows of night were coming
On when peculiar sound at the outer gate
announced that the father of the maiden. whose
name Leilah. had come 10 visit her So
Hal Hamed was thrust unceremOniOusly forth
aud awakened amid the deepening gloom
of the forest. He returned, bowel down and
heavy hearted, to the encampment.
Many thoughts kept him awake for many
hours; il wa not until the sky that stretched