The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23

WIZ
Thus thinking, he went to Isaac-it was the
name of the jew. He found him at home, and
made him an expose of that which he had at
heart. The Jew expressed his readiness to com
ply with the wishes of his dear friend Omer, and
to lend him thirty purses.
1T will be my greatest joy said he, Ito see
you married to the beautiful Meira.'
Then he asked him how long it would take
him to pay the money back.
''Seven years, replied Omer
And if you can't pay me at the end of seven
years what shall we do them
After reflection they caused the following
agreement to be registered, i'll the presence of the
judge (cadi
IF Omer in seven years has not returned
Isaac the thirty purses borrowed let Isaac in
the presence of the tribunal, cut OFF dlachln of
Omers tongue"
Who was happier than young Omer? All that
day ne could think of nothing but his wedding.
What grand repast he would give! what beau
t!ful dresses he would give to his beautiful
Melra. In word he never inquired whether
he could return his friends money he only
thought of the best way to spend it.
At the end of a month Meira was brought into
rich Omer's dwelling. The feast lasted eight
whole days Everyone asked. whence came to
Omer that fortune which enabled him to display
so much magnifcence? Many supposed that he
had not found it within the ground. There is
an old proverb which says, Labor is better than
money! and another which says, SIT is not suff
Gent to sing in villages"
Our Omer after Che wedding felt no uneasi-
ness. He said to himself:
Il have still fifteen purses left l shall com
mence trade with that
Soon he filed a store with salt tobacco, pine
apples, brooms etc. Thus he traded for four
years During that time single care was Wis
lille upon his brow. Probably he had forgotten
both the borrowed money and his agreement;
but the fifth year came. and then people began
to read upon his physiognOmy that something
was gnawing him. On the seventh year his
cOuntenance was entirely changed. His wife
and friends ffpp ca11tyh4 In vain
they asked him the cause of his grief He re-
fused to answer.
Nobody" said he, ''can assist me. Leave
me-"
Such was always his answer. Meanwhile the
beautiful Mera had been informed by the jew
himself of the clause of the terrible contract.
She exerted her woman's wit to find a remedy.
For what woman would like to have man with
out a tongue!
Come; it is time" said Meira to herself II
will take bochthaluk Ia presently to the cadi
and cast myself at his feet"
And she went twice.
THAT woman shames me-" said the cadi.
''She has doubtless some design. She wishes to
ask me some favor"
When the third day arrived Mera returned be-
fore the cadi with more beautiful presents still
She kissed the flap of his coat and started away,
but the cadi ordered his guards to stop her.
'Persevering woman" said the cadi, twice
already have you shamed me. In what manner
can be agreeable TO you3 Say
That was all NIeira desired. She placed one
hand upon her brow and the other upon her
breast, and said:
'Cadi, your goodness fills my heart with joy
and now can implOre you. Grant me the favor
to sit for one hour, on Friday next in your place
upon the bench"
Friday came on. 1t was the day fixed for re
imbursing the debt. Omer had not a vechlouli
Ia franc) in his purse, and the Jew was to cut off
a drachm of Omer's tongue before the tribunal
Meira had got up early in the morning. AS soon
as she arrived, the cadi clothed her with the
judicial robes and with his own hands placed
the turban upon her head She a funny
cadi, indeed. going to try a case but nobody
could have recognized her. The true cadi re
tired into the next room and watched the pro
ceedings through a pane Of glass.
Our improvised cadi had already smoked
whole chibouk, when the Jew and Omer entered
the courtroom. The latter was wiping his
tears.
Cadi-What do you want of mel
The Jew-I come to claim sentence, noble eff
| fend
Cadi-What business brings youl
| The jew then explained to the cadi how seven
! years before he had lent Omer thirty purses,
and what contract they entered into. If the
! sum was not returned to him he was to cut eff
| drachm of Omers tongue and he had come for
| that purpose.
! Cadi Ito Omer)-Ts it true? What is your
name! Did he speak the truth!
| Omer-Efendi. all that is truth itself.
The cadi opened his register and commenced
to run over the leaves. He stopped at certain
/ page ana assumed q solemn ar.
Eyes, it is true So it is written in the book.
And you, jew, did you bring a raZorl' he asked.
Certainly" replied the jew
'Wcll then,' said the cadi, gravely "cut off,
! but take good care not to cut off more than
| drachm, for know that if you should cut off
either more or less than drachm, set forth
! in the agreement you shall not be allowed to
justify yourself, but will forfeit your life"
The jew shuddered and reflected moment
''Oh, no, illustrious effendi; but if / should cut
! off more than u drachm | will indemnify him
with gold; if 1 should cut off less, will make
| him present of the remainder
''By Allah, Jew, you the cadi. to dare die
tate the laws before the tribunal? Come, come
| cut off at once
You can now see the Jews embarrassment and
| torment.
Pardon. noble offendi, do not wish to have
| anything to do with our sovereign masters af-
fairs. know it is your custom TO judge
cordng to the letter. leave the thirty purses;
leave him his pride of tongue. We are good
| friends"
The judge assumed more terrible look still
and addressing the guards 'Tet the executioner
/ come in, that | may teach that dog of jew
| obedience to the court. Cut off this moment"
| The eXecutioner appeared; the Jew fell on his
! knees kissed the cadis robe and commenced to
! beseech him. But the cadi did not allow him
! self to be softened.
Cut off the drachm of Omer's tongue infdel,
! else the eXecutoner will cut thy head off"
! The Jew perceived that but one chance re-
! manned him, in order to secure his life.
"Illustrious effendil7 said he, L give you
thirty purses. l give up the thirty which have
! lent to my debtor Be for me "a father and
mother. Effendi, | have snned; pardon me-
order me not to cut of the tongue of whonso-
ever, especially that of my good friend Omer.'
Cut his head off, said the cad to the execu-
| toner.
The executioner seized the poor jew, who
| chung to the cadi.
''Pity, effendi. if you are a Turk
Then Omer intelposed and beseeched the
| cadi in favor of his friend
"Omer." said he to him. ''for your sake for
give him. The probity of a Turk is more solid
than stone. Let the jew understand thoroughly
| what tribunal is and also the sentence of the
cadi."
And the jew paid the cadi thirty purses
| The latter invited him afterward to embrace