The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-02-01
THE WEEPING CHAMBER.
Am OrtemiaI Legend.

A strange story was once told me bya
Levantine lady Of my acquaintance,
which shall endeavor to relate-as tar
as am able with the necessary abridg-
ments-in her own words. The circum-
stances under which she told it were
peculiar. The family had just been dis
turbed by the visit Of ghost-a real
ghost, visible, il not palpabe She was
not what may be called superstitious,
and, though following with moro or less
assiduity the practice of her religion,
was afflicted now and then with fit OF
perfect matcriaism. l was surprised,
therefore, to hear her relate with every
appearance of profound faith, the fol-
lowing incidents:
There is an old house in Beyrout
which, for many successive years, was
inhabited bya Christian family. 1t is of
great extent, and was Of yore fitted for
the dwelling of Prince. The family
had, indeed, in early times been very
rich; and almost fabulous accounts arc
current of its founder, Fadlallnh Dahan.
He was n merchant-the owner of ships,
the filter out of caravans. The regions
Of the ENstand the West had been visited
by him; and after undergoing as many
dangers and adventures US Smbad, he
had returned to spend the latter day Us OF
his lie in his native city. He built, ac-
cordin8ly, magnificent dwelling, the
courts of which he adorned with marble
fountains, and tho chambers with silk
divans; and he was envied on account of
his prosperity
But, in the restlcssness of his early
years, he had omitted to marry, and now
found himself near the close Of his Gu
reer without an heir to inherit his wealth
and to perpetuate his name. This re.
Election often disturbed him; yet he
was unwilling to take wife because he
was old. Every now and then, it is
true, he saw men older than he, with
fewer teeth and winter boards. taking to
their bosoms maidens that bloomed like
peaches Just beginning to ripen against
wall, and his friends, who knew he
would give amagnificent marriage feast,
urged him to do likewise. Once he
looked with pleasure on II young person
of not too tender years, whose parents
purposely presented her to him ::
but, having asked her in q whisper
whether she would like to marry q with
cred old gentleman like himself, she
frankly confessed preference for his
handsome young clerk, Harma, who
earned hundred piasters n month.
Fadlallah laughed philosophically, aud
took care that tho young couple should
DO married under happy auspices.
one day he was proceeding along the
Street, gravely and slowly-surrounded
Dy a number of merchants proud To
walk by his side, and followed by two or
Chree young men, who pressed near in
oraer 10 be thought OF the company, and
thus establish their credit-when an old
woman, cspying him, began to CRY ont
"Yeh yoh this is the man WHO hos
no wife and no child-this is the man
who ls going to die and leave his fortune
70 be robbed by his servants, or conis.
cated by the Governor And vet, he
nhS sagacl0u9 nose '--(tho Orientnls
nave observed that there is wisdom in n
noSG)-"and beard as long as nv
BACK. Yeh ych ! what wonderful
sight to 500 p
Fadlaloh Dahan stopped, and rctort.
cd, smiling "Yeh yeh this is the
woman that blames nn old man for NOT
marrying young wife. Yeh yeh
whnt n wonderful sight to SEQ p
Then the old woman replied "Oh, 4
my lord, every pigs tail curls not in the
same direction, nor does every maiden
ADMIRE the passing quality Of youth.
II thon wilt, will bestow on thee n
wife, who will love thee as thou lowest
thyself, and sorve thee rs tho angels
serve Allah. She is more beautiful than
any of the daughters of Beyrout. anG
her name is Selma, name of good
auourv"
The friends of Fadlallah laughed, as
did the young men who followed in their
wake. and urged him to 90 and SOC this
peerless beauty, If 1t were only for a
JOKE. Accordingly, he told the woman
10 load the way. But she said no must
mount his tie, for they had to 90 some
dlsSance into 'he country. He mounted
ana, with single servant, went forth
from tho gates-the woman preccdino-
and rode until he reached n yillao6 in
tho mountains. Hero, in n moor Ettlo
house, be found Selma, clothed in tho
very commonest style, engaged in malx-
ing divan cushions. She was n marvel
ouslY beautiful girl. and the heart Of the
merehanG at once began to yearn toward
her; yet he endeavored to restrain him
self, and said, "This beautiful thine ia
not for me-. But the woman cried Ont
',Selima, wilt thou consent to have this
old man = The girl gazed in his facc
awhile, AID then folding her hands
across her bosom said, eyes, for there
is goodness In his countenance." Fad.
lallah wept with JOY; and, returning t.
tho city, announced his approaching
marriage to his friends. Accordinc 70
custom, they expressed civil surprise to
his face but, when his back was
turned, they whispered that he was an
old fool, and had been the dupe Of She
adventuIef.
The marriage took place with cere.
monies of royal magnihcence and
Selma. who passed Hum nvod from ex
-. i. \.