Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-07-15
NO. 1877

brought into rich Omers dwelling. The
feast lasted eight whole days, Every one
asked whence came to Omer that fortune
which enabled him to display such mag
nificence. Many supposed that he had
/: not found it in the ground. There is an
old proverb which says, Labor is better
than money And another still which
says, ut is not sufficient to sing in VIII
lages.'
Our Omer, after the wedding, felt no
uneasiness. He said to himself:
Il have fifteen purses left. l shall
commence trade with that"
) Soon he filed store with salt, tobacco,
lpineapples, brooms, etc. Thus he traded
for four years. During that time no sim
gle care was visible upon his brow. Prob
ably he had forgotten both the borrowed
money and his agreement, but the fifth
year came, and the people began to read
upon hls physiognomy that somethingw was
gnawing him. On the seventh year, his
countenance was entirely changed. His
wife and friends often caught him weep
ing. In vain they asked the cause of his
grief He refused to answer. ll|.{%
"Nobody" said he, ''can assist NE leave
me-
Such was always his answer. Mean
while, the beautiful Meira had been in
formed by the jew himself of the clause
of the terrible contract. She exerted her
woman's wit to find Il remedy; for what
woman would like to have q :aan without
a tongue?
Come, it is tinie,'' said Maria to her
self; will take q bochtchault Ga presently
go to the Cadi and cast myself at his feet
And she went twice.
"That woman shames me-" said the
Cad. She has doubtless some design;
she wishes to ask me some favor"
When the third day arrived, Maria re-
turned before the Cadi with more beauti-
full presents still. She kissed the flap of
his coat and started away. But the Cadi
ordered his guards to stop her. t'
'Persevering woman said the Cadi.
''thrice already have you slammed me. In
what manner can be agreeable to YOU
Say That was all Maria desired. She
placed one hand upon her brow, the other
upon her breast, and said;
"Cadi, your goodness thrills my heart
with joy, and now | can implore you.
Grant me the favor to sit, for one hour,
on Friday next, in your place upon the
bench
Friday came on 1t was the day fixed
for reimbursing the debt. Omer had not
n bechlouk Ga franc) in his purse, and the
Jew was to cut off a drachm of Omer's
tongue before the tribunal. Meira had
got up early in the morning. As soon as
She arrived the Cadi clothed her with the
judicial robes, and with his own hands
placed the turban upon her head. She
case: but nobody could have recognized
her. The true Cadi retired into the next
room and watched the proceedings through
a pane of glass.
Our improvsed Cadi had already smoki
ed whole chibouk when the jew and
Omer entered the court room. The latter
was wiping his tears. s..a
Cadi. What do you want of me,p
The jew. | come to claim sentence,
noble eflendi. 1e-s
Cadi. What business brings You ?.staIE
The jew then explained to the Cadi
how, seven years before he had lent Omer
thirty purses, and what contract they had
entered into. If the sum was not return
ed to him he was to cut off a draehm of
Omers tongue, and he had come for that
purpose.
Cadi (to Omer) Is it true !? What is
your name Did he speak the truthp
Omer (weeping). Effendi, all that is
truth itself sa F."
The Cadi opened his register and COM
menced to turn over the leaves He stop
ped at certain page and assumed sol
, emn air. '-tate riar
Eyes. it is true. So it is written in the
book. And you jew, did you bring ris-
zor ." he asked. F4' 80
"Certainlv' replied the Jew.
"Well, then" said the Cadi gravely.
"cut off, but take good care not to cnt off
more than n drachm for, know that if you
should cut off either more or less than
drcahm as set forth in the agreement, you
shall not be allowed to justify yourself, but
will forfeit your own life.n-.>-
The Jew shuddered, and reflected mo-
ment. sr. ..'.e... .........
'.Oh, no, illustrious offendi, but if |
should cut off more than drachm, will
indemnify him with gold if should cut
off less, | will make him a present of the
remainder hI Aa
by Allah, jew, are you the Cadi. to
dare dictate laws before the tribunal r
Come, come, cut off at once
! You can see now the Jews embarrass-
ment and torment @Hf49
Pardon noble effendi; do not wish
to hayo anything to do with our sovereign
masters affairs. Il know that it is Your
custom to Judge according to the letter.
/ I leave him the thirty PURSES; / leave him
his piece of tongue-We are good friends
| The Judge assumed a more terrible look
still, and, addressing the guards; LET the
eXecutioner come in, that may teach that
dog of 4 jew obedience to the court. Cut
Off this momentm
! The eXecutioner appeared; the jew fell
on his knees, kissed the Cadi's robe, and
commenced to beseech him. But the Cadi
did not allow himself to be sottened,,g
Cut Off the drachm of Omers, tongue,
infdel, else the eXecutioner viii cut thy
head off" o .-pr,,el, a....,,
The jew perceived that but one chance
remained him in order to save his life.
ILLUSTRATORS etfendim said he, .''' gave
you thirty purses; ! gave. up the thirty
which have lent to my debtor Be for
me father and mother. Effendi. have
sinned pardon me order me not to cut
off the tongue of any whomsoever, especi-
ally that OF my good friend Omer." ''a'
''Cut his head off, y said the Cadi to the
executioner. fT D