The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-02-16
NJ j 8 C @ III a n Q o u 9.
The Pair OF Slippers.
BY NOBLE +. MOoREs.

In Bagdad lived once an old merchant
by the name of Abu Kasem, who on &C
count of his avarice was notorious Not.
withstanding his great riches, his clothes
were only patched and RACES, his turban
coarse cloth, whose color could be discern.
ed 10 more But of his wearing apparel
his slippers excited the Creates curiosity.
The soIcs were covered with large nails,
and the uppcrs consisted ofas many pieces
rs any hcggar's mantle; for. during the ten
years he had worn them, the most skillful
cubblers of Bagdad bad exhausted all their
art to hold these pieces together. They
had became so heavy from this, that when
any one wished 20 describe anything very
clumsy they named Kascm's slippers.
AS this merchant was once taking q
walk during the dinner hour, proposal
VAS made TO him to buy large stock of
LASS vessels. He did so, and made a very
good bargain. Several days later he learn
CT that u bankrupt dealer in periumeries
bad only rose water to sell, and was in
great necessity. He took advantage ot
the misfortune of this poor man, and in
spite of the excellent quality of the rose
water, bought it from him for about hall
its worth, and WAS very much pleased at
this purchase.
1t is the custom OF the eastern mer-
chants, who have made II lucky bargain,
t. give feast But our miser did not dn
this. Instead of the feast, which would
have cost him money, he found it more
profitable to spend something on his own
body, and so went to the bath. A 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. II nave been thinking of that for
some time" answered Kasem; I" but when
| look at them well, | see, that notwith-
standing their age, they are not yet 81 bad
but that they might be of more service
with tins he went into the bath.
While he was bathing the Kadi of Bag
d d came in also, and as Kusem finished
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 instead of has another pail
stood there, and our miser thought imme-
diately that this new pair was present
from the friend who had just advised him
to buy one. He drew them on quickly and
left the bath full of joy. But unfortunate.
~ they were ti'c si'PPels Oh 'ne hadl.-
When the latter had pa,hed, ana was ready
for his Shippers, MS slave could not tinc
them, but III 'heir pace was another Dat
pair, when ny mistake were pushed u
their place, ana were recognized as kasem'
slippers. The door keeper ran after hin
and led him back to the Kadi, rs one
caught in the act OF stealing. The kadi
enraSed at the lmpuaeht Dolaness OF TIT
old miser, had MN immediately thrown
into prison, Notwithstanding HIS assurance!
of his inne1'n'e'
In order not t. he punished with public
disgrace as thief, he was obliged to pay
u heavy fine. lie could nave bought
hundred pairs OF slippers with it.
AS soon as he reached home, he revengec
himself on the causes OF his loss. Angrill
he threw the slippers into the rigris that
flowed by on the other side OF his dwell
ing, he thought they would never come tt
his sight again. But late willed other
| wise. few days alter some fisherman
drew their net up, and found it very heavy
They believed they had brought u treasure
t. the light of day. Instead of this they
found Kusem's slippers. which had tori
the net 8" with the nails, that it took then
whole day 10 mend 1t.
Filled with Indignation against Kasen
and his slippers, they threw them straigh
into his open window. Bur, unfortunately
just in this room stood all the crystal vases
full Of the beautiful rose water that he ha'
bought; and as the heavy slippers, full %