Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
Cadi of Cadies ; or , if you chuse , I am a judge , who can sit heris and determine between parties ; I have the power of divorcing and confirming : in short , I can do for you whatever you desire , only acquaint me with your business . " " O Hadgi ! " said the woman , " these are many words . But I have a just claim upon my debtor . " * ' Let me Ijnow , " said Basem , " who this debtor is , that I may carry him before a Cadi who sits in his den to distribute justiceand who
, has not his equal in the world . Let me be your Wakeel ; I will for two thirds of a dollar gain your cause if the defendant be in the ¦ wrong ; but if on the contrary , what is on your side unjust I will make to be just . Only come along with me to the Mahkamy in my district , and 1 shall be answerable to you for your debtor . " " I desire , " said the woman , ' ' to complain against my husband , who is
in debt to me for clothes for five years , besides five dinars and a para for expences , as will appear by my contract of marriage . Indeed he is not a liberal man in what is his duty to me , and sometimes sleeps from home . " " What is your husband ' s trade ? " demanded Basem . " A babooch maker , " replied the woman . "A stretcher * ofskins 1 " said Basem , " come along with me ; by Alia I will confound him . " " Were it not advisable , O Hadgi !'' said the woman , " that we have my claim written down at the Mahkamyj and obtain the Cadi's order for his appearance ! " " Believe me , " said Basem , " that is
unnecessary ; the Cadi , for the quicker dispatch of business , having empowered me to sign his name for him . " He then led her by the hand to the college , where he entered , but soon returned to her , sayjng , " if you make me a liberal consideration , you shall see what I will do for you ; an hour shall not pass , before you see your husband safely lodged in prison . " Upon this the woman , from the string of coins which she wore on her headcut off two drachmsand
pre-, , sented them to him , which Basem snatched with the avidity that a hawk seizes his prey , saying , " I am Basem , my provision is from God'" They then proceeded together to the keisaria where the husband was . Before entering , Basem took care-to raise and adjust his turban , and bare his arms , that he might have more the appearance of the character he had assumed . The woman by a sign , pointed out
her husband , whom Basem found to be a sallow , meagre , diminutive man , and employed in performing his Friday prayers . But Basem , without saying a word , took him up in his arms , together with the carpet upon which he kneeled , to carry him off . " Hadgi , Hadgi , for heaven ' s sake , what is the matter ? " " You only have to show respect and obedience to the noble law" lied Basem . " Have
con-, rep sideration for me , " said the captive , " and set me down on the ground , that I may put on my outer vest and babooch ; I will go with you , by my head and my eyes ! but do not carry me in this manner . " Bapem then set him ancl his carpet down , while all the people in t-hg
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
Cadi of Cadies ; or , if you chuse , I am a judge , who can sit heris and determine between parties ; I have the power of divorcing and confirming : in short , I can do for you whatever you desire , only acquaint me with your business . " " O Hadgi ! " said the woman , " these are many words . But I have a just claim upon my debtor . " * ' Let me Ijnow , " said Basem , " who this debtor is , that I may carry him before a Cadi who sits in his den to distribute justiceand who
, has not his equal in the world . Let me be your Wakeel ; I will for two thirds of a dollar gain your cause if the defendant be in the ¦ wrong ; but if on the contrary , what is on your side unjust I will make to be just . Only come along with me to the Mahkamy in my district , and 1 shall be answerable to you for your debtor . " " I desire , " said the woman , ' ' to complain against my husband , who is
in debt to me for clothes for five years , besides five dinars and a para for expences , as will appear by my contract of marriage . Indeed he is not a liberal man in what is his duty to me , and sometimes sleeps from home . " " What is your husband ' s trade ? " demanded Basem . " A babooch maker , " replied the woman . "A stretcher * ofskins 1 " said Basem , " come along with me ; by Alia I will confound him . " " Were it not advisable , O Hadgi !'' said the woman , " that we have my claim written down at the Mahkamyj and obtain the Cadi's order for his appearance ! " " Believe me , " said Basem , " that is
unnecessary ; the Cadi , for the quicker dispatch of business , having empowered me to sign his name for him . " He then led her by the hand to the college , where he entered , but soon returned to her , sayjng , " if you make me a liberal consideration , you shall see what I will do for you ; an hour shall not pass , before you see your husband safely lodged in prison . " Upon this the woman , from the string of coins which she wore on her headcut off two drachmsand
pre-, , sented them to him , which Basem snatched with the avidity that a hawk seizes his prey , saying , " I am Basem , my provision is from God'" They then proceeded together to the keisaria where the husband was . Before entering , Basem took care-to raise and adjust his turban , and bare his arms , that he might have more the appearance of the character he had assumed . The woman by a sign , pointed out
her husband , whom Basem found to be a sallow , meagre , diminutive man , and employed in performing his Friday prayers . But Basem , without saying a word , took him up in his arms , together with the carpet upon which he kneeled , to carry him off . " Hadgi , Hadgi , for heaven ' s sake , what is the matter ? " " You only have to show respect and obedience to the noble law" lied Basem . " Have
con-, rep sideration for me , " said the captive , " and set me down on the ground , that I may put on my outer vest and babooch ; I will go with you , by my head and my eyes ! but do not carry me in this manner . " Bapem then set him ancl his carpet down , while all the people in t-hg