Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-06-20
U Ga-az GGlIa IKE B}zz4 @,Gg e. 20 d 4lfF8 i

been watched during his progress through
the forest by the inmates Of some harem
unemcumbered by male attendants. who in
a'spifit Of fun made him prisoner The
incident il not an uncommon one, lf we may,
believe narrators but il generally leads to
disagreeable, results. Our merchant felt
uncomfortable. These merry girls were
quite capable,,he thought, after having made
Adult Of him, Of throwing him down well
or into, a pond He'looked around for the
chief among tbem, rather ahxiously, md
soon recognized her in very young maiden,
who. after having laughed with the rest,
had flung herself carelessly on n pile of
cushions under a tree, and was gazing at
him with interest.
" Lady" said he, assuming an humble
attitude, "this is not wise nor well. / am
a merchant travelling with my goods that
require care and watcbfulness, 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. He has given it to
me; and live here with my maidens, In-
molested. There is guard of slaves at the
gate, but they only appear at a signal of
danger-- when sound the she'll"
She raised n conch to her ips and shrill
sound soon filed the air. The slave girls
scarcely understanding the motive, again
cast the mantle over Hamed, and bade him
,5o silent and motionless. Several men came
hurledly; but were dismissed with icers
and mockefies. In few moments the
merchaut, more dead than alive, was aii-
covered again aud 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 Hamed, in
stead Of rising, remained gazing in admira.
tion at the lady of the place She met bis
glance, at FIRST, with disdainful expression;
but according to the Oriental idea, two such
souls have secret sympathies. from the in
haence Of which neither can escape. No
sooner did their eyes meet in full gaze,
than both felt faint at heart. The lady
turned very pale, and leaned her head upon
the cushion; the maidens, raising the trem.
bling Hamed, led him TO her side. They
talked for hours; not Of themselves, but Of
love; and expatiated eloquently on the
happiness of meeting, whilst the attendants
PLAYED on their lutes, or sang songs illustra-
tive Of their situation. The shadows of
night were. coming on, when a peculiar
sound at the outer gate announced that the
father of the maiden, whose name was Lei.
lab, had come to visit her. So Hal Hamed
was thrus, unceremoniously forth and was
awakened amid the deepening gloom of the
forest Hereturned. bowed down and heavy
hearted, to the encampment. t,--,
" Many thoughts kept him awake forms
hours It was not until the sky that stretch
Ell beiwixt the mountain ops overhead, had
begnnt to whiten, that at length, overcome
with fatigue, he fell asleep. Pleasant Wis
ions spake beneath his eyelids. When he
awoke, The tents were struck, the camels
were laden, and the people were filing off.
Why this hurry ?" he cried. !" Was not
this pleasant place to tarry in? Time is
eternal. There is no need to hasten from
the present, which isjoyful. to the future,
which is full of danger" Several merchants
thought he was jeering them for their phi.
llosophy Of the previous day, and hasted to
complete their arrangements and follow The
caravan. Hamed's camels had been laden
by his servants, and were ready to proceed.
He hesitated a moment but, remembering
his debt TO Kodadad. cried March !" and
went away with his heart full of new recol.
leetions. 49, .;..
The journey was prosperous, but tedious.
When tho caravan reached Damascus, the
market was found to be encountered with
and sales were with Difficult
ty effected. Month after month nassed
away ;.most Of Hamed's bales still remained
on his hands. The fifth month from the
time of his departure had arrived, and lie
was beginning 10 despair of being able to
perform his engagements. Atlength, how
ever, merchant about to proceed to Bag.
dad, made him an advantageous offer for
the whole OF his stock, and he was enabled
10 'iepatt, aftef il3gi,ig realised e5oa
profit. Several accidents and delays oc-
Cured on the journey; but ibe caravans
reached the valley, one march from I'arsus,
on the eve of the day when Hamed had
promised payment to Kodadad. Most of
the merchants Immediately rode forward TO
gladden. their families and friends; but, onr
young merchant, feeling his love for Lei.
fah revive with intensity, determined to
spend that day in endeavorihg TO obtain an
interyiew with her. lie wandered into the
mountains. endeavoripg 10 follow the same
track as before; but although he several
times imagined he recognised the trees
and tho rocks, his search was unsuccessful.
All was wild, and seemingly uninhabited.
He called aloud "Leilalip but the echoes
only answered, "lal lap--no, no; aud
yvl I,I L.. IA