Huntsville gazette., 1886-07-24
EGYPTIAN AMULETS.
Stories About the "Oudjah" and . Prince
with the Evil Eye.

Stories About the "Oudjah" and . Prince
with the Evil Eye.
About six weeks ago, after having
purchased an Egyptian amulet called
the "oudiah," which was said to bring
good luck, I lost golden charm, a
heart-shaped locket, which Istated pub
licly, was dearer to me, from associa-
ton, than peck of fetiches from the
mystic Nile. As this locket was
family heirloom, and contained the
hair of some of my children, its loss
grieved me more than / can tell. I
promptly advertised for its recovery, but
no response came. / felt satisfied that
that it had either been trampled out Of
recognition by horses or men hurrying
by or that some stranger had found and
appropriated it. Finally surrendered
all hope of ever hearing from it. Last
night dreamed that it was returned
to me. So vivid was the dream that,
on awakening from sleep, look at
my watch-chain, hoping to find it there
in some mysterious way. Of course, it
was not there, and relapsed into for
getfulness or despair of it. While
writing moment ago, in the reporters
gallery of the House, Mr.. Mann, the
messenger, said something about
little gold heart that had been found in
the gallery and never claimed. ''It is
mine," / said. My dream was pro-
phetic. Did the child from Heaven
come to me last night and inform me
what was SO Unexpectedly to occurP
Surely the ''oudjah" had nothing to do
with it.
In this connection somewhat / may
as well relate the strange experience
of Georgia friend, who had once re-
sided officially in Egypt. He
says: 81 never heard of the 'oudjah,'
but the Egyptians have many different
kinds of amulets. | once possessed
several that were in existence long be-
fore the Christian era. During the races
at Cairo | became acquainted with
Prince Zagle-El, who was reported to
have the evil eye. The Viceroy gave
orders to his coachman always to turn
back when the Prince approached in
his equipage, on foot or mounted on his
horse. This formidable person BAN
tered me to bet with him, he to have
the first naming of the courser. lost
each time about one hundred dollars.
When the third race was imminent I
stepped aside and asked Nazie-Aga,
nobleman of the Khedive's court, what
manner of horse was his that had been
advertised as one of the competitors.
He declared that his entry was the
swiftest animal in the land, and stood
an excellent chance of winning. With
this tip l returned to the Prince,
claimed the naming of the horse
initially, and bet him four hundred
dollars. He turned slightly pale as l
named the horse of Nazie-Aga. | won
the wager. He turned his glittering
black eyes toward the triumphant steed
as it was slowly paced back to the
Judges stand. To the surprise and
horror of everybody the noble creature
quivered, sank to the earth and died.
Did the evil eye vindictively kill the
beast? / do not know. But when it
became bruited abroad, as it soon was,
that l had vanquished the Prince Zagie-
Ell and won his money, many persons
begged me for some Of the gold for
good luck. The most importunate
beggar, at any price, was beautiful
and wicked Oriental Princess, who
never rested until she coaxed from me
one of the fateful yellow sovereigns.
She had the gold piece magnifcently
mounted and wore it as an amulet.
1T will give me good luck, she said;
mo man ever before won money from
Zagie-El' What became of herI know
not. You see that Egypt is the land of
superstition as well as mystery. =
Washington Cor. augusta (Ga.) Carons-
Gle,