The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-10
Our 0hu.
THE PAIR OF SLIPPERS.
BY MoLLIE E. MooREs.


withstanding his great riches, his clothes
were only patches and rags, his turban
coarse cloth whose color could be discerned
no more. But Of all his wearing apparel
his slippers excited the greatest curiosity.
The soles were covered with large nails,
aud the uppers consisted of as many pieces
as any beggar's mantle; for, during the ten
years he had worn them, the most skillful
cobblers of Bagdad had exhausted all their
art to hold these pieces together. They
had become so heavy from this, that when
any one wished to describe anything very
clumsy they named Kasem's slippers.
As this merchant was once taking a
walk during the dinner hour, proposal
was made to him to buy large stock Of
glass ,essels. He did SO, and made very
good bargain. Several days later he learn
ed that bankrupt dealer in perfumeries
had only rose water to sell, and was in
great necessity. He took advantage of
the misfortune of this poor man, and in
spite of the excellent quality Of the rose
water, bought it from him for about half
its worth, and was very much pleased at
this purchase.
II is the custom of the eastern mer-
chants, who have made a lucky bargain,
to give feast But our miser did not
do this. Instead of the feast, which would
have cost him money, he found it more
profitable to spend something on his own
body, aud so went to the bath. As he
was entering the bath house, one of his
friends remarked, that at last it was time
to do away with his old slippers and buy
new pair. ~ have been thinking of that
for some time time, answered Kasem
"but when | look at them well, | sec, that
notwithstanding their age, they are not yet
so bad, but that they might be Of more
service" with this he went into the bath.
While he was bathing the Kad of
Bagdad came in also, and as Kasem fn-
ished bathing first, he first entered the
room where people dressed. He drew on
his clothes, and was in the act of putting
on his slippers, but instead Of his another
pair stood there, and our miser thought
Immediately that this new pair was n
present from the friend who had just ad-
vised him to buy one. He drew them on
quickly and left the bath full of joy. But
unfortunately they were the slippers of the
Kadi. When the latter had bathed, and
was ready for his slippers, his slave could
not find them, but in their place was
another bad pair, which by mistake were
pushed in their place, and were recognized
as Kasem's slippers. The door keeper ran
after him and led him back to the Kadi,
as one caught in the act of stealing. The
Kadi, enraged at the impudent bolduess
of the old miser, had him Immediately
thrown into prison, notwithstanding his
assurances of his innocence.
In order not to be punished with public
disgrace as thief, he was obliged to pay
heavy fine. He could have bought a
hundred pairs of slippers with it.
As soon as he reached home, he re-
venged himself on the causes of his loss.
Angrily he threw the slippers into the
Tigris, that flowed by on the other side
of his dwelling, he thought they would
never come to his sight again. But fate
willed otherwise. A few days after some
fishermen drew their net up, and found it
very heavy. They believed they had
brought treasure to the light of day.
Instead of this they found Kasems slip
pers, which had torn the net so with the
nails, that it took them a whole day to
mend it,
Filled with indignation against Kasem
and his slippers, they threw them straight
into his open window. But, unfortunate
ly, Just in this room stood all the crystal
vases, full Of the beautiful rose water that
he had bought; and as the heavy slippers,
full of nails, were thrown on them, the
crystal was smashed, and the contents
spilled on the floor.
Just imagine Kasem when he entered
the room and saw the destruction "Con-
founded slippers" he cried, "you shall do
me no more mischief" Immediately he
took shovel and ran with them into the
garden. Hastily he dug hole to bury
his slippers. While he was so occupied,
one his neighbors on the opposite side of
the street, with whom he had long lived
at enmity, was looking out of the window
and observed Kasem's hasty grave. With
out delay he ran to the governor, and told
him privately that Kasem had found a
large treasure in his garden.
That was sufficient to excite the covet-
business of the governor, and it was in vain
that Kasem swore he had not anything,
but on the contrary had laid something
therein; namely: his slippers. In vain he
dug them up again, and laid them before
the court as proof Of his innocence; the
governor, by virtue of his Office had him
thrown into prison, and Kasem was obliged
to ransom his freedom again with large
sum. Full CT despair, he went away from
the governor, his costly slippers in his
hand, and execrated them with all his
heart.
"Why," said he, "should | still carry
them in my hand, to my disgrace? ?" With
these words, he threw them into the aque-
duct, not far from the governors palace.
snow | will hear no more of you" said
he. But the slippers were driven straight
into and clogged the pipe of the aqueduct.
This was all that was necessary.
In the course of few hours, the river
stood still, the water overfowed the entire
city, and even the vaults of the governor
were flooded Every thing was in dismay
and confusion, aud the inspectors of the
water works were called to account. They
examined the conduits, and fortunately
for them found the slippers in the neg
lected mud. The owner of the slippers
was arrested, and on charge of malicious
revenge against the governor, condemned
to pay still larger fine His slippers,
however, were given carefully to him again.
"What shall do with you, dctestable
slippers?" said Kasem. II have given
you to one element, and Notwithstanding
this you come back, with constantly greater
losses for me; now there is only one thing
left, the flames shall consume you. But,
he continued, weighing them in his hand,
''as you are so completely filed with mud,
aud soaked with water, | must give you
respite. and dry YOU on nv roof. but