The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-10-28
~ HONEST FACE.

<AAN kAN " ~ EAiS - - ~ A<S
One day when the Caliph Omar was sit
ting in council with the companions of
the Prophet, and great men of his time,
two men appeared before him, leading
third, hose beauty attracted general atten-
ton. Omar gave them sign to approach,
and one OF the two who held the third,
spoke to the following effect:
I'VE are two brothers, whose happiness
it was to have father who, for his virtues,
was esteemed by the whole tribe. Hewas
in the habit of walking in his garden 10
enjoy the air, and this young man killed
him there. We have apprehended him,
and brought him hither for the purpose
of receiving from you the right of retail
iaticn.
Answer to this, said Omar to the
young man whe stood before him with the
greatest calmness, retaining placid and
guiitiess countenance and he proceeded
With great natural eloquence to defend
himself thus:
They are right; yet hear me, command
er of the faithful. | belong to Bedouin
family, vino wander about the desert.
One of our young and finest cameis ap-
preached the wall of the city, to crop the
tender branches Of tree that hung over
the wall an old man appeared above the
wall aud rolled down huge stone, which
crushed my young camel-he sunk down
beside me dead. In my rage seized the
stone, and flung it back toward the wall,
where it struck the old man who had
killed my camel The blow was mortal,
/ sought to save myself by fight; but
these two young persons apprehended, and
have brought me before you"
Thou hast confessed thy great crime,
said Omar; 1.-THE punishment of retaliation
awails thee"
II am ready to endure it," replied the
young man: "but have a young brother,
whom our father on his death-bed partic-
ulary recommended 70 my care. The prop
erty which by Inheritance falls to him,
lies buried in spot known to none but
myself. IF you cause me to be put to
death before l have delivered it to him,
you will hereafter, 0 commander of the
faithful, have to answer for the loss of his
inheritance before God Grant me but
three days to do this business in"
When emar had reflected for moment,
he said:
"But who will be responsible for your
retnrn?"
The young man pointed to Abizar, one
of the council, who, with no other securl-
tv than the confidence which the physiog-
uomy of the young man inspired him,
consented to become his guaranty.
The third day was almost at an end, and
the Bedouin came not yet. The two
brothers began to demand, with loud
voice, the blood of the man who had taken
upon himself to answer for the murderer 5
return. The companions of the Prophet
opposed it; but the severe Omar pro-
nounced sentence, that the life of Abaizar
should be taken if the young man returned
not before the setting of the sun. Atthat
very moment he re-appeared, breathless
with haste. and in proiuse perspiration.
II have,' said he, "put my brothers
money in safety. Pardon me if the ex-
cessive heat has retarded me more than j
Expected
"Commander of the faithful" said
Abiazar. II have been security for this
youth without having known anything of
him and inspired with confidence in him
solely through his honest countenance-
behold him here! Let us no more say
there is neither truth nor honor upon
earth y
All were astonished at the upright con-
duct of the youth. and the two brothers,
who were equally affected, withdrew their
accusatiou and declared they psrdoned
| him. Severe as Omar was, he accepted
their pardon with great pleasure, and con-
graduated himselftha there was so much
truth and honor under his government and
anong the Bedouins.
A cEI.EBRATED physician once said tc