Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-03-10
THE MAID OF DAMASCUS.

Heraclius, when the beautiful city oi
Damascus was at the height of its
splendor and magnificence, there dwell
therein young noble, named Deme
trius, whose decayed fortunes did not
correspond with the general prosperity
of the times. He was youth of ardent
disposition, and very handsome in per
son pride kept him from betteripg his
estate by the profession of merchandise
vet more keenly did he feel the OBJ
security TO which adverse fate had re.
duced him, that in his lot was involved
the fate 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 Kesian, dwelt 8
very wealthy old merchant, who had 9
very beautiful daughter. Demetrius
had by chance seen her soma time be
fore. and he was so struck by her lowell.
ness that, after pining fer some months
in secret, he ventured upon a dis
closure, and to his delighted surprise
found that Isabelle bad long silently
nursed a 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 in 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 father Of the maiden
they found that stumbling block lay
in the way of their happiness, for he
WAS of an avaricious disposition, and
they knew that he valued gold more
than nobility of blood. Their fears
grew more and more, as Isabelle, in her
private conversation, endeavored to
sound her father on this point; and al
though the suspicious of affection are
always more apparent than real, in this
they were not mistaken ; for without
consulting his child-and as if her soul
had been in his hand-he promised her
in marriage to n rich old miser, twice
as rich and nearly as old as himself.
Isabelle knew not what to do; fo-,
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. Nowhere could she rest,
like the Thraeian bird that knoweth not
to fold its wings in slumber-a cloud
had fallen for her over the face of
nature-and instead of retiring TO her
couch she wandered about weeping,
under the midnight stars, on the terrace,
on the housetop. wailing over her hap
less fate, and calling on death TO come
and take her from her sorrows.
At morning she went forth alone into
10 l,1A a
golden glow of the orange tree nor the
perfume of the roses, nor the delicate
fragrance of the clustering henna and
jasmine, delight her, so she wearied for
the hour OF noon, having privately sent
TO Demetrius, inviting him to meet her
by the fountain of the pillars at that
time.
Poor Demetrius had for some time
observed a settled sorrow in the con-
duct and countenance of his beautiful
Isabelle he felt that some melancholy
revelation was to be made to him and +,
all eagerness, he came at The appointed
hour. He passed along the winding
walks. unheeding of the tulips streaked
like the rudy evening clouds-of the
flower betrothed to the nightingale-of
the geranium blszing in scarlet beauty
till, on approaching the place of
promise, he caught glimpse of the
maid he loved-apd, loi she sat there
in the sunlight, absorbed in thought, a
book was on her knee and at her feet
lay the harp, whose chords had been
for his ear so often modulated to
harmony.
He laid his hand gently on her
shoulder, as he seated himself beside
her on the steps, and seeing her sorrow
full face, he comforted her, and bade
her be of good cheer, saying that
Heaven would soon smile on their for
tunes, 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 Isa-
belle held in her hands, to be faithful
to each other to their dying day.
Meantime the miser was making pre-
parations for the marriage ceremony,
and the father of Isabelle had portioned
ont his daughters dowry; when the
lovers, finding themselves driven to ex-
tremity, took the resolution of escaping
from the city.
Now it so happened, in accordance
with the proverb, which saith that evils
never come single that, ,at this very time,
the city OF Damascus was closely in
vested 10y mighty army, commanded
L Al. Il nj
in leaving the walls, the lovers were in
imminent hazard of falling into their
cruel hands; yet having no other re-
source 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 bribed with a
bribe, its folding leaves slowly opened,
and forth issued a horseman closely
wrapped mp in n mantle and behind
him, at the little space, followed an
other similarly clad. Alas for the IN
lucky fugitives, it so Glanced that
Derar. the captain of the night guard,
was at that moment making his rounds,
and observing what was going on. de-
tached party to throw themselves
between the strangers and the town.
The former rider, however, discovered
their intentions, and called back to
his follower to return. Isabelle-for
it was she-instantly regained the gate
which had not closed, but Demetrius
fell into the hands of the enemy.
As wont in those bloody wars, the
poor prisoner was Immediately carried
by an escort to the presence of the
caliph, who put the alternative in his
power, of either, on the instant, re-
nouncing his religion or submitting to
the axe of the beadsman. Demetrius
told his tale with a noble simplicity /;
and his youth, his open countenance
and stately bearing SO far gained on
the heart of Abubeker, that on his re-
fusal to embrace Mahometanism he
begged OF him seriously to consider OF
he e;tuot;on apd ordered a delay of