The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-08-11

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 a remedy; for what
woman would Ike to have man without
a tongue?
"Come, it is time," said Meira to her.
self;'T will take 6ochtchaluk "a presently ;;
60 to the Cadi and cast myself at his
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 Cati 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.
PeTsevering woman" said the Cadi,
"twice already have you shamed me.
In what manner csn l be agreeable to
She placed one hand upon her brow, the
other upon her breast, and said:
"Cadi, your goodness thrills my heart
with Joy, and now l can in1plore you.
Grant me the favor to sic, for one hour,
on Friday next, in your place upon the
bench"
Friday came on. It was the day f1ed
for reimbursing the debt. Omer had not
a sechlouk Ia france in his purse, and the
Jew was to cut off 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 funny Cadi, indeed, going to try a
case but nobody could have recognized
her. The true Csdi retired into the next
room and watched the proceedings
through pane of glass.
smoke a whole chibouk when the Jew
and Onler entered the court room. The
latter was wiping his tears.
Cadi. What do you want Of me?
The Jew. l come to claim sentence,
noble efendil
Cadi. What business brings you?
The Jew then explained to the Cadi
how, seven years before, he had lent Omer
thirty purses, and what contract they had
entered into. II the sum was not returned
to him he was to cut off drachm oil
Omer's tongue, and he had come for that
purpose.
Cadi Ito Omer). Is it truee What il
your nane9 Did he speak the truth?
One. (weepirg). Efendi, all that il
The Cadi opened his register and com
menced to run over the leaves He stop
ped at g certain page and ass umed 6
solemn air.
"Yes, it is true. So it is written in the
book. And you Jew, did you bring /:
razor" he asked.
Certainly" replied the Jew.
"Weli, then," said the Cadi, gravely
"cut off, but take good care not to cut of
more than drachm; for, know that i
you should cut off either more or les:
than drGchm, as set forth in the agr ree
ment, you shall not be allowed to justify
yourself, but will forfeit your own life"
The Jew shuddered, and reflected mo-
ment.
"ohl no, illustrious effsndi, but if
should cut off more than a drschm, vii
Indemnify him with gold; if should cu
off less, will make him present of The
remainder"
By Allah, Jew, are you the Cadi, tC
dare dictate laws before the tribunal
/ Come. come, cut off at once!"
/ You can see now the Jews emhsrrass
ment and torment
| "Pardon, noble effendi; do not wisl
| to have anything TO 90 with our sovereign
masters Affairs. know that it is you
custom TO Judge according to the letter.
| leave him the thirty purses; leave hin
his piece Of tongue. ....... We are gOOl
friends"
The Judge assumed a more tsrribl,
look still, and, addressing the guards
"Let the executioner come In, that l may
teach that dog of Jew obedience to th'
court. Cut off this mOment!"
The executioner appeared the Jew
fell ON his knees, kissed the Cadi's robe
and commenced to besesch him. But th,
Cadi did not allow himself to be softsned
"Cut on the drachm Of Omcr's tongue
infdel, else the executioner will cut thy
head off"
The jew perceived that but one chanc,
remained him in order to save his lite.
"Illustrious effendil +" said he, "I Civ,
you thirty psrsss give up the thirt,
which have lent to my debtor. Be fo
me father and mother. Efendi, hav
sinned; pardon me; order Ee not to Gu
off the tongue of vhomsoever, especially
that Of my good friend Omer."
"Cut his head eff," said the Cadi to tn,
executiOHer.
The executioner seized the poor Jew
who clung to the Cadi
PITY, effendi, if you are Turk" Thel
Omer intervened, and beseeched tn
Cadi in favor of his friend.
"Omer," said he to him, "for you
sake, l forgive him. The probity of
Turk is more solid than stone. Let tha
Jew understand thoroughly what
tribunal is, and also the sentence of
Cadi"
And the Jew paid the Cadi thirt,
purses. Ths latter invited him afterwar
TO embrace Omer.
"And to put an end to this affair, / an
going" said he, to enter it on the grea
book"
After having kissed the Judges shoes
and the carpet under him, the two par
ties thanked him tor bis equitable sen
tence and paternal goodness, and left tb
tribunal
One door closed, another opened.
The true Cadi entered, splitting hi
sides with laughter.
"By NY heard, woman, l SEQ nothin
in the books wiser than you'll If yo
were q man, in truth, there would be n
Cadi equal to you in Constantinople."
Meira thanked him for his kindness {
her in yielding his own seat, and ofere
him fifteen purses of the Jews money.
The Cadi refused, and gave her on
more purse. She kissed the flap of hi
coat, thanked him, left the tribunal an
returned home before Omer, who Ia
stopped at the coffee house.
On seeing him arrive from her window
she began 20 jest.
"Ahl ah here is Omer with bis tonSu
cut off," said she, stamnering like.
"YOu are mistaken" said Omcr.
She, pretending astonishment, aske
him:
"What has happened thens"
"GOd and the wise Cadi (be is as hant
some as an apple, God keep him from a
! harm)l have saved me and fooled Il
Jew"
us the Cadi bandsomer than II" r
piled Meira, showing him the thirt
purses.