Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-02
Hnaann the WIae.

Hassan Ben Omar threw himself pros
trate upon the ground, outside Of the walls
of Bassora, and tore his hair with rage. In
three years Of riot and luxury he had dis
sipated the wealth which he had inherited
from Good l0mar, his father. His house,
his vineyard, his olive yards, were all gone;
and now he would be compelled to seek en-
ployment as o camel-driver, or beg of those
who had feasted sumptuously on his ex.
travagance. He cursed his unhappy fate,
reproached Allah, blasphemed the prophet
charged his friends with ingratitude, and
called loudly upon death to release him
from his misery. His old servants ap-
preached, and tried to comfort him. but he
drove them away with abuse and blows,
and dashed himself again upon the earth.
For q long time he lay moaning and weep
ing; at length voice sounded in his ears
"Listen, IIassan Ben Omar! Allah in
tends thee good"
Hassan raised his head, and his eyes
rested upon venerable dervish, who was
calmly contemplating his grief.
"Begone, old manl' he cried, IF thou
canst not work miracle for my relief"
"Listenp replied the dervish; " the
prophet has sent me to serve thee. What
woudst thou LaveW
"Give me my possessions again-my vine
yards, my fields, and my goldl"
"And what would it avail thee" said the
old man, "if were to do this2 When they
were thine thou hadst not the wisdom
to keep them in three years thou wouldst
be as wrelched as now. But attend, Hassan
Ben Omarl Reform thy life, govern thy
passions, moderate thy desire, hate the wine
cup labor for thy bread, eat only when thou
art hungry, and sleep when thou art weary
Do these things for one year, and thou shalt
be monarch Of a mighty kingdom"
A mist darkened the eyes of Hassan.
When ii was gone, behold the dervish was
no where to be seen. Hassan invoked the
aid of Allah, and rose from the ground with
a light heart. He joined a caravan, which
set out for the desert the next day. He be-
gan to rise early, and to labor with dill
gence. A cup of water and few dates
formed his simple meal; and at night he
lay down by the side of his camels, and en-
ioyed sweeter repose than he had ever
known before. If his anger was excited, or
if he was tempted to give the rein to any
passion the form of the dervish seemed to
rise before him, with mild rebuke upon
his lips, and his heart was calmed. Thus,
for year, he lived frugal and patient
llie-lOllOWluS W bue lSlleE Iuc tAuOIld~
tions of the dervish At the end Of the time
he was again at the same place, before the
walls of Bassora. He Frustrated himself
upon the earth, and cried out;
"Now, Allah, fulfill thy promise ~
Suddenly he heard the same voice as be-
| fore:
"Hassan Ben Omar, thou hast done well,
and thy reward is with thee. Behold, thy
kingdom is hyseF! 1 have taught thee to
rule it. BE wise and happy"
Hassan looked in vain for the speaker
no one was near. He pondered deeply upon
these things, and finally resolved to continue
as he had begun.
Thus he lived many years, gradually be-
coming more prosperous but firmly retain
ing his frugal and industrious habits, until
| he became richer than the Good Omar, his
father, and all men called him Hassan the
| Wise.