Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-18

e
ing agreement to be registered in presenc'
OF the Judge (CadD:
"If Omer, In seven years, has not re
turned Isaac the thirty purses borrowed
let Isaac, In presence OF the tribunal, Gu
off drachm of Omer's tongue"
Who was happier than young Omef
All that day he could think OF nothing
but his wedding. What . grand repas'
he wonld giyel What beautiful dresses
he would give 70 his beautiful Meira II
word, he never inquired whether az
could return his friends money; he only
thought Of the best way TO spend 1t.
At the end Of month Meira wa
brought into rich Omer's dwelling. Tit
feast lasted eight whole days. Everyone
asked whence came to Omer that fortune
which enabled him 10 display such mag
not found it within the ground. There ii
an old proverb which says, "Labor i
better than money" And another still
which says, at is not sufficient to sing In
villages"
Our Omer, after the wedding, felt no
uneasincss. He said to himself:
IL have still fifteen purses left. shall
commence trade with that"
Soon he filed store with salt, tobacco,
pineapples, 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 then people began TO read
upon his physiognOmy that something
was gnawing him. On the seventh year,
his countenance was entirely changed.
His wife and friends often caught him
weeping. In vain they asked the cause Of
his grief. He refused to answer.
Nobody" said he, "can assist me (;
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 remedy; for what
woman would like to have man without
tongue
"Come, it is time," said Meira to her
self;"I will take q 6ocatchaluk(a present) I;
60 TO the Cadi and cast myself ut Mis-
feet"
And she went twice.
"That woman shames me-" said the
Cadi. "She has doubtless some design !;
she wishes To ask me some favor"
When the third day arrived, Meira re.
turned before the Gael 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.
Persevering woman" said the Cadi,
"twice already have you shamed me.
In what manner can be agreeable to
you? Say" That was all Meira 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 rcimbursing the debt. Omer had not
a bec1l0uk Ia franc) in his purse, and the
Jew was to cut of 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
was q funny Cadi, indeed, going to try
case but nobody could have recognized
her. The true Cadi retired into the next
room and watched the proceedings
through pane OF glass.
Our improviscd Cadi had already
smoked whole chibouk when the Jew
and Omer entered the court room. The
latter was wiping his tears.
Cadi. What do you want OF me!
The Jew. come to claim sentence,
noble effendi!
Cadi. What business brings your
The Jew then explained TO the Cadi
how, seven years before, he hadlent Omer
thirty purses, and what contract they had
entered into. II the sum was not returned
to him he was TO cut off q drachm of
Omer's tongue, and he had come for that
purpose.
Cadi Ito Omer). Is it true, What Is
your nsmef Did he speak the TRUTH
Omer (weeping). Efendi, all that Is
The Cadi opened his register and com.
mcnced To run over the leaves He stop
ped at certain page and assumed .
solemn air.
eyes, It 10 true. So II 10 written in the
book. And you Jew, did you bring \
razor 2 !" he asked.
"Certsiply," replied the Jew.
"Well them" said the Cadi, gravely,
cut of, but take good care not to cut Of
moro than drachm for, know that II
you should cut of either more or less
than drachm, ~ ret forth In the agree
ment, you shall not be allowed to justify
yourself, but will forfeit your own life."
The Jew shuddercd, and reflected mo-
ment
"Ohl no, illustrious effendi, but II
should cut off more than drachm, will
indemnify him with gold; If / should cut
off less, I will make him present OF the
remainder"
"By Allah, Jew, are you the Cadi, to
dare dictate laws before tho tribunal
Come, come, cut off ct once
You can see now the Jews embarrass
ment and torment
"Pardon, noble effendi; / do not wish
to have anything to do with our sovereign
masters affairs. I know that II Is your
custom to judge according to the letter.
| leave him the thirty purses; leave him
his piece Of tongue. ....... We are good
friends"
The Judge assumed more terrible
look still, and, addressing the guards
Let the executioner come In, that may
teach that dog of Jew obedience to the
court Cut off this momentis
The executioner appeared the Jew
fell on his knees, kissed the Cadis robe
aud commenced to beseech him. But the
Il Il H. ~ 49, ~ >nA