The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-07-23
THE THREE GRIMES.
AN EASTERN TALR.

| grotto on one OF the slopes of Mount
Olympus. When he stood at the entrance
Cf his humble dwelling, he could embrace
at one glance all the territory originally
possessed by Osman, the founder of the
Ottoman empire; and, as he five times a
day offered up his prayers to Allah, he
| invoked blessings upon the head of Soly-
man the Magnificent, the reigning Sultan
in whose time he lived. Indeed, Abdal-
lah WAS renowned for his sanctity and
the inhabitants of the vicinity of his dwell
ing treated him with the most marked re
spect.
He was not, however, entitled to this
excessive vcneration by his age for he
had scarcely attained his fortielh year
when the incident of this tale took place
His venerable father, who was himself a
dervise of great sancitity, and whose years
amounted to four-score, resided with him
IN the same grOtto; and fortunate was
deemed the individual who, on his way
along the slopes of Olympus, was allowed
TO join in the prayers of the two deryises,
kneeling upon the ground at the entrance
of the cave, and turning their countenances
toward the holy cities Of Mecca and Nedi-
ma.
Hamet Abdallah was one morning row
Ing amidst the groves and woods which
extended up the mountain far above his
grotto, and pOndering upon the passage in
the Koran which he had been perusing but
short time previously, when his foot
suddenly struck against something hard
upon the ground. He looked downward,
and saw an iron ring fastened to small
brass plate, which was let into q square of
stoRewOrk, and seemed TO cover a hollow
place or we'll Obeying q sudden impulse
OF curiosity. Hamet applied his hand to
the ring, and pulled it with all his force.
After many vain exertions, the brass plate
yielded to his exertiOns, and he fell back
ward with the sudden shock.
Before he had time to rise and examine
the aperture thus laid bare, a dense vol
ume of smoke issued from the hole. and
assembled in the air to the height of several
thousand feet.
Hamet gazed with astonishnent upon
this strange apparition but how much
more was his wonder excited when he saw
the smoke gradually become more and
more palpabls and shapely, and at length
assume the form Of an immense giant, with
long flowing white beard, and a tremen>
douS pine tree in his right hand.
Hamst fell upon his knees, and was
about to put up prayer TO Heaven, when
the terrible apParition addressed him in q
voice of thunder;
"Nayi mention not the name of the
Deity, or will cut thee iato ten thousand
piecesw
"Who art thou - demanded Hamet,
rising from his suppIiant posture.
81 am Kara, an Evil Genius, whom a
victorious power shut up in that cursed
hole, where have languished for two
thousand years. Il is an evil day for thee
that brought thee kither.
"And wherefore, proud Genius ~ de-
manded Hamet.
"BecauSe am about to kill thee, in
order to avenge myself upon some one for
this long captivity" replied the giant
At these words, Hamet trembled very
much, and besought the Genius to spare
his life. For long time the Genius was
inexorable, and ordered him to prepare for
immediate death but at length he suf-
fered himself to be moved by the prayers
and entreaties of the virtuous dervise.
CLARK ye." said the Genius 81 am
willing to spare your life upon one condi-
ton
Shame it," said Hanet, his heart leap
ing with joy.
81 will grant your request, say"
proceeded the Genius, CON condition that
you perpetrate sone crime which may
diminish your over-Tseening pride of con-
scieus virtue. De not interrupt me, or /
will kill you upon the spot but listen. l
give you your choice of three of the most
heinous crimes which ! can imagine. You
shall either violate the law of the prophet,
and drink your fll of good wine, or ysu
shall murder your venerable old father
or you shall curse the name of that Deity
whom you worship. Choose between these
three crimes"
Then Hamet was very sorrowful, and
he endeavored to melt the heart of the evil
Genius but all his prayers and entreaties
were unavailing. He accordingly began
to reason with himself
''ff," said he, 'I assassinate my father,
no contrition can wipe away my crime,
and moreover the law will evertake me
with its vengeance. If l curse the name
of the great Allah, I may Sigh in vain for
future happiness in the gardens of Para.
disc. But if become inebriate with the
juice of the grape, can expiate that fault
by severe modification, penitence and re-
Dewed prayer"
Then, turning his couRtenance upward
toward the Genius, he said. go fountain
of all evil! have made my choice, since
thou art determined upon this injury"
''Name the object Of that choice" said
the Genius.
"I will get drunken with wine as the
least of the crimes which you PROPOSE"
answered the dervise.
''Be it so," cried the Genius; "this
evening, after the hour of prayer, thou wilt
find a jar of Cyprus wine upon thy table,