The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-31
THE WEEPING CHAMBER.

a btIhnBc buOfJ WIN OuOo poiu hio W
Levantine lady Of my acquaintance,
which shall endeayor TO relate-as far
ss I am able with the necessary abridg-
ments-in her own words. The circum-
stances under which she told 1t we're
peculiar. Tho family had just been dis
turbed by the visit Of q ghost-a real
ghost, visible, II not palpable She was
not whit may DO called superstitious,
and, though following with more or less
assiduity the practice OF her religion,
was afflicted now and then with III Of
perfect materialism. was surprised,
therefore, 10 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 Chriaiian 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 are
current Of its founder, Fadlallah Dahan.
Ito was q merchant-the owner Of ships,
the filter out Of CARAVANS. The regions
Of the Eastand the West had been visited
by him; and, after undergoing as many
dangers and adventures hs Sinbad, he
had returned 10 spend the latter days Of
his life in his native city. He built, NC.
cordingly, a magnificent dwelling, the
courts Of which he adorned with marble
fountains, and tho chambers with silk
diyans; and he was envied on account OF
his prosperity.
But, in tho restlessness OF his early
years, no had omitted 10 marry, and now
found himself near the close Of his CT
reer without IN heir 10 inherit his wealth
and 10 perpetuato his name. This re.
Election often disturbed him; yet no
was unwilling TO take wife because he
was old. Every now and then, It is
true, no saw men older than he, with
fewer toeth and whittier boards, taking TO
their bosoms maidens that bloomed like
peaches just beginning to ripen against
q wall, and his friends, who knew he
would give magnificent marriage. feast,
urged him to do likewise. Once he
looked with pleasure on young person
Of not too tender years, whose parents
purposely presented her to him;
but, having asked her in = whisper
whether she would like 10 marry with.
cred old gentleman like himself, sho
frankly confessed preference for his
handsome young clerk, Harma, who
earned hundred piasters month.
Fadlallah laughed philosophioally, aud
took care that the young couple should
be married under happy auspices.
Ono day he was proceeding along the
street, gravely and slowly-surronpdod
by a number Of merchants proud 10
walk by his side. and followed by two or
three young men, who pressed near in
order TO DO thought Of the company, and
thus establish their credit-when an old
woman, espying him, began to cry out,
" Yeh ! yeh this IL the man who has
no wife and no child-this is the man
Who is going TO die and leave his fortune
10 be robbed by his servants, or contis.
stated by tho Governor And vet. ne
has n Bagacious nose '--(the Oricntals
have observed that there il wisdom In n
aose)-"and = beard on long as my
back. Yoh yeh what q wonderful
sight 10 500 T.
Fadlallah Dahan stopped, and rotort.
ed. smiling "Yeh yeh this is the
woman that blames an old man for no,
marrying q young wife. Yeh ! yeh !
what % wonderful sight to 900 !"
Then the old woman replied "Oh,
my lord, every pigs tail ourls not in the
same direction, nor docs every maiden
admire the passing quality OF youth.
II thou wilt, l will bestOw on thee
wife, who will love thee ~ thou lowest
thyself, and serve thee as the angels
servo Allah. She is more beautiful than |
any Of the daughters OF Beyrout, aud |
hcr name is Selma, name of good |
anonry."
The friends Of Fadlallnh laughed, M |
did the young men who followed in their
wake, aud urged him to go md sec this
peerless beauty, II IT we're only for n
Joke. Accordingly, no told tho woman
TO lead tho way. But she said no mus,
mount his mule, for they had TO 90 some
distance into tho country. Ho mounted
and, with single servant, won't forth
from the gatcs--the woman preceding
and rode until no reached village in
tho mountains. Here, in poor little
house. he found Selma, clothed in the
very commonest style, engaged In max.
ing divan cushions. She was q marvel
ously beautiful girl. and the heart Of the
merchant ut once began 10 yenrn townrd
her; yet he underworld TO restrain him
SELF, and said, "This beautiful thing is
not for me-" But tho woman cried out,
wilt thou consent TO have this
oId man Z" Tho girl gazed In his face
while, and then folding hor hands
'cross her bosom said, Eyes, for there |
8 goodness In his countenance. Fad.
allah wept with Joy; and, returning TO |
ihe city, announced his approaching
marriage. 10 his friends. According TO
custom, they expressed civil surprise h
MS lace; but, when his back wa,
turned, they whispered that bo wos we"
old fool, and had been the dune Of T sh NV
adventurer. ' '"''
The marriage took place with cero.
monies OF royal magnifcenco: md
SeIima. who passed nnIp nved from ex
treme poverty 10 abundant ricbs.
seemed to merit the position Of the great. |
est lady In Beyrout. Never was woman |
more prudent than she. No one ever
knew her previous history. nor that Of
her mother. Some said q life Of misery.
perhaps Of shame, was before them, when
this unexpected marriage took place.
5elims's gratitude to Fadlallah was un.
bounded; and out Of gratitude grew
owe. Tho merchant daily offered m
hanks for the bright diamond which had
ono to shine In his house.
In due time child was born o boy
vely as his mother; and they named
i'm HALL. With what joy he was re. |
,iyed, what festivities announced the |