Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-28
HarOun Alra,chid and the Barmecidss.

Those persons whose IDEAS OF certain
phases of Oriental history are derived
from the Arabian Nights will find theii
foundations good deal shaken by re
cent article in the London Times, saying
nothing OF more extended works which
they are not likely TO read. The Haroun
Alrischid OF the story teller, and the
onpanions Of his wanderings, Giafir oil
Jaafer and Mesrur, the black execu,
toner. were indeed real personages, but
the Haroun of history was anything
but mild tempered gossip, and the fate
of Jaafer was sad indeed.
This latter parsonage was descend
ant OF the Barmecide or Benz Barmeh
family, which, previous to its CONVEX
sion TO Northumberland had heredi-
tary charge of the sacred fire OF the Par,
sees. Jaafer, and in a less degree his
brother FL Fadhl, were the favorites OF
Haroun, and with Abu Nawas, the
lester poet, and Mesrur had many gay
revel together. Jaafer had grown very
rich and ostentatious, and thus aroused
the Sultan's jealousy. This passion gave
place 10 hate when the monarch learned
that Jaafer had married his (Haroun's)
sister Maimuneh, and had children by
her. She had been made his nominal
wife in order that he might wait upon
his master even in his harem, but an
actual alliance was deemed an outrage
by the proud Caliph. The secret was
told by a slave, under promise OF immu-
nifty, but no sooner was the story nm
ished than the betrayer was decapitated.
The erring sister was the next sufferer.
Haroun called for Messrur and told him
TO bring two masons and as many SER
wants after dark. The order was obeyed.
When the men came Haroun proceeded
them to the private apartments oil
his sister. Without speaking a
word to her, he ordered the
servants to kill her, shut her up in
a large box, and bury her just as she
was in her own room. Causing the
box to be locked, he took the key, and
made the workmen dig down in the
apartment till they came to the water.
Then he said, THAT will do. Let the
box down, and put the earth over it. y
They did so, smoothed the soil, and left
the floor as it was before, the Caliph
sitting on a chair all the time and look
ing on. When they had finished, he
turned them all out, locked up the door,
and came away, taking the key OF the
house with him. Then he turned to
Mesrur and said: Take those people
and give them their hire; and Mesrur,
knowing his masters ways, put them
in sacks, sewed them up with heavy
weights inside, and threw them into the
Tigris. The Caliph then gave him the
KEY of the house, and told him to keep
it until he asked for it, and to go and set
up Turkish tent in the middle of the
palace, which he did, and the Caliph
entered it before dawn, and no one
knew what his intentions were.
His vengeance was not stated. When
next Jaafer came into his presence he
received him with apparent kindness,
and seemed to approve a journey he
intended to make to Khorassan.
When the unsuspecting victim retired
to make preparations for his tour he
was recalled to the palace. Mesrur met
him, and invited him into the tent
above mentioned. He now suspected
trouble, ami said; "Mesrur, my broth
err" what is the natter" 81 am your
brother answered Mesrur, "and in
your house, and you ask me what's the
matter2 You know well enough-yOur
time has come. The Prince of the
Faithful has ordered me to cut off your
head and take it to him at once" Jaafer
wept, offered Mesrur an immense sum
TO let him escape, and pleaded earnestly.
All he could obtain was MesruT's consent
togo and see the Caliph before executing
the sentence. Leaving Jaafar under
strong guard, the black went 10 his mas
ter. He found him sitting down per-
spring with rage, holding cane in his
hand, and digging it into the ground.
When he saw Mesrur he said, "May
thy mother be bereaved OF thee. What
hast thou done in the matter OF Jaatarr
al have done what you ordered.
"Where is his head?" an the tent"
Fetch il to me at once" So Mesrur
went back and found Jaafar on his knees
praving. He did not give him time to
finish his prayer, but drew his sword
and cut of his head, and took it up by
the beard and threw it before the Prince
of the Faithful, all dripping as it was
with blood. The Caliph heaved a deep
sigh, and wept terribly, and dug his stick
in the earth after each word that he
spoke, and CRASHED his teeth on the
walking stick, and addressed the head,
saying: ooh, Jaaiar, did not put you
on an equality with myself? Oh, Jaaf-
ar, how have you requited me? Oh,
Jaafar, you have deceived me in my
family; disgraced me before all my men.
Oh. Jaaier, you have done evil to me
and to yourself"
His conscience evidentlytroubled him,
and he sought to throw the responsible
ity Of his act upon the man whom he
had killed. He did not repent, however.
He sent to Medina for the two sons
whom his sister had borne to Jaafer,
found that they were bright boys, and
wept over them. This fit of crying was
followed by the execution of the unfor-
tunate children, and their burial with
their mother. Vengeance did not stop
here. The other members of the Bar
needle family were arrested, more than
| 900 of them were killed and their prop
erty was confiscated. This fearful
work was carried out by the order of
the sovereign whom the majority OF the
readers have been taught to believe
a prodigy of common sense and kind