The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-08-29
MisteIlaneons Solutions.
THE ORIENTAL MERCHANT

!
When Hal Hamed borrowed a
hundred dinars Of the merchant
Kodadad, he swore by the faith of
1.-THE Prophet to return the sum with
in six months from that time, and
fixed the hour and day. He was a
young man, full of hope and conf
dence, and Kodadad was old and
wary. "My son." said the latter,
"this is perhaps rash promise. Say
one year." But Hal would not &C
cept further delay. He was going
from Tarsns to Damascus on a com
mercial journey, and had accurately
calculated the time. One month to
go; one month to come back; three
months to sell his goods, whole
month to spare. But the accidents
of the road-sickness, robberies, un-
fOreseen delays? He relied upon the
mercy of God; and with many as
seryations said that at the appointed
time he would present himself at the
kiosque of the merchant Kodadad,
on the banks of the river, and lay be-
fore him q hundred golden dinars.
Themoney was lent without interest,
and payment was a sacred obligation.
The caravan set out, flags flying,
and. drums beating from the rendez-
vous on the opposite side of the riv-
er, and soon entered the gorges of
the mountains. After proceeding a
little way, halt was agreed upon
for many of the merchants stayed
behind, saying their last adieu to
their families, or making additions
to their merchandise. Hal Hamed,
who possessed several camel loads,
and had been among the first to be
ready at the place of meeting, re-
pined greatly at this delay.
He had earned his title of Hal. or |
Pilgrim, when boy, by going in
company with his father to the
shrine of the Prophet; but this was
the frat journey he had undertaken
since. His impatience, therefore,
may be excused. He had started |
with the idea of making his fortune;
and was impatient to be doing. Be-
sides there was his promise to Kod
adad. If he forfeited that, his cred
it was gone forever. Accordingly.
he spent the first part of the day that
followed the halt, sitting by the
roadside, counting the stragglers
that came in, and jeering them for
their hardness. "This young man."
said some, "belieYes that time was
made only for him. What matters
a day more or less? At the end of
life we shall have to regret our i'm
patience. There are evils by every
wayside. Why should he be eager
to come up with themY'
These philosophical remarks found
no favor with Hal Hamed, who, in
stead of initiating his companions, (
and reclining lazily under the shad-
ow of trees on the green grass, list
ening to the songs of the birds, and
the gurglingof the stream, began at
length to roam uneasily about. He
saw that another sun would set, and
perhaps another, and behold them
still in the lap of the same valley.
He climbed the mountains, endeav-
bring to distract his thoughts, and
whenever he obtained a glimpse of
Ihe encampment below, he gazed at
it, endeavoring to discern signs of a
forward movement. But the tents
innsbruck; the people re-
olined in groups; and the camels and
horses wandered here and there; and
The lazy tinkling Of their bells show
ed that they, at any rate were enjoy
ing themselves. The young mer-
chant at length turned away and
rushed into the deep recesses of the
forest. Nature had no charms for
him. AS he went he counted in his
memory the number of pieces of
cloth his bales contained, compared
the cost price with the probable mar
ket price, and revelled in the antici-
patton of gigantic profits to be real
lied in the paradise of his imagina-
tion-some dusty Bazaar in the far
Off City of Damascus.
While he was meditating on these
sordid matters, he was suddenly re-
called to himself by a surprising ac-
cident. A huge mantle was thrown
over his head; and before he had
time to struggle he was cast on the
ground, and rolled up, like bale of
his own goods, in complete darkness.
At first he thought that instant
death was to be his fate; and he
murmured: "May Heaven pay my
debt to the merchant Kodadadw
Soon, however, it appeared that he
was only prisoner, and he felt him
self raised and carried along, while
smothered laughter came to his ears.
If this we're a joke, it was a practical
one. He tried TO speak, but no
answer was returned, except renewed
laughter. Presently those who car
ried him set him down; the bonds
that confined him were loosened, the
mantle was whisked away, and, to
his surprise, he found himself in a
beautiful garden, surrounded by a !