The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-10-09
TIE MAID OF DAMASCUS.

CliuS, WHeu Tue beautiful city OF Damascus
was at the height of its splendor and mag
nifcence, dwelt therein young noble,
, named Demetrius, whose decayed fortunes
did not correspond with the general pros
perity of the times. lie was a youth of
ardent disposition, and very handsome in
person. pride kept him from bettering his
estate by the profession of merchandise, vet
more keenly did he feel the obScurity to
which adverse fate had reduced him, that
in his lot was involved the fortune of one
dearer than himself
1t so happened that, in that quarter of
the city which faces the row of palm-trees,
within the gate keisan, dwelt wealthy old
merchant, WHO had a beautiful daughter.
Demetrius had, by chance, seen her some
time before, and he was 50 struck with her
loveliness, that, after pining some months
in secret, he ventured on Il disclosure, and,
to his delighted surprise, found that Isabelle
had long silently nurscd deep and almost
hopeless passion for him also; so, being
now aware that their love was mutual, they
were as happy as the bird that, all day long,
sings iii the sunshine from the SUBMITS of
the cypress trees.
True is the adage of the poet, that "the
course Of true love never did run smooth -
and in the farther of the maiden, they found
that stumbling block lay in the way of
their happiness, for he was of an avarcious
disposition, and they knew that he valued
gold more than nobility of blood. Their
fears grew more and more, as Isabelle, in
her private conversations, endeavored to
sound her father on this point and although
the suspicious of affection are often more
apparent than real, in this they were not
mistaken; for without consulting his child
and a. if her soul had been in his hand
he promised her in marriage to a rich old
miser, ay, twice as rich, and nearly as old,
as himself
Isabelle knew not what 10 do; for, on
being informed by her father of the fate he
had destined for her, her heart forsook her,
and her spirit was bowed to the dust. No
where could she rest, like the Thracian bird
that knDweth not to fold its wings in slum-
ber-a cloud had fallen for her over the face
Of nature-and instead of re,i ing to her
couch, she wandered about weeping. under
the midnight stars on the terrace, on the
housetop, wailing over her hapless fate, and
calling on death to come and take her from
her Sorrows
At morning she went forth alone into the
garden but neither could the golden glow
Of the orange trees. nor the perfume of the
roses, ror the delicate fragrance Of the clus-
tering henna and jasmine, delight her, so
she wearied for the hour of noon, having
privately sent t. DemetriuS. inviting him TO
meet her by the fountain of the pillars at
that time.
Poor Dcmetrius had, for some time, Oh
served a settled sorrow in the conduct and
countenance of his beautiful Isabelle; be
felt that some melancholy revolation was TO
he made 60 him: and, all eagerness, he
came at the appointed hour. He passed
along the winding walks, unheeding of the
tulips streaked like the ruddy evening
clouds-of the flower bctrothed to the night
ingale--of the geranium blazing in scarlet
beauty-till, on approaching the place of
promise, he caught glance Of the maid he
loved-and. 10 I! she sat there in the sunlight,
absorbed in thought, book was on her
knee, and at her feet lay the harp, whose
chords had been for his ear 50 often moduia-
ted to harmony.
lie laid his hands gently on her shoulder,
as he seated himself beside her on the steps;
and seeing her sorrowiul, he comforted her,
and babe her be of good cheer, saying, that
Heaven would soon smile propitiously on
their fortunes, and that their present trials
would but endear them the more to each
other in the days of after years. At length,
with tears and sobs she told him of what
she had learned and, while they wept On
each Others boSoms, they vowed over the
Bible. which Isabelle held in her hand,
To be faithful to each other to their dying
day.
Meantime the miser was making prepara-
tions for the marriage ceremony, and tie
father of Isabelle had portioned out his
daughter s dowry when the lovers, finding
themselves driven to extremity, took the
resolution of escaping together from the
city.
Now it so happened, in accordance with
the proyerb. which saith that evils never
come single. and, at this very time, the city
of Damascus was Closely HNeSlCu ~ i
mighty army, commanded by the Calph
Abubeker Alwakidi, the immediate success
or of Mahomet; and in leaving the walls,
the lovers were in imminent hazard OF fall
ing into their u hands; yet, having no
other resource left, they resolved to put their
perilous adventure to the risk.
Twas the Mussulman hour OF prayer
Maggrib; the sun had just disappeared,
and the purple haze of twilight rested on
the hills. darkening all the cedar forests,
when the porter of the gate, keisan, having
been bribei with a bribe, its folding leaves
slowly opened, and forth issued horseman
closely wrapped up in mantle; and behind
him, at a little space, followed another SIM
ilarly clad. Alas, for the unlucky fugf-
tiyes. it SO CHANGED that Derar, the captain
of the night guard, was at that moment
making his rounds, and observing what
,cas going on he detached a party to throw