Part 37 (2/2)
Yussuf, whose eyes ide open, as well as his ears, said to himself, ”My God! what new event is now to co been obeyed, the officers were severally called forward, and having proved theularly appointed, received their rewards, and were dismissed Yussuf's ideas were so confused by what appeared to hiated destiny, that he did not perceive that he was left standing alone It was not until the second time that the cadi called to him, that Yussuf moved towards him
”Who are you?” inquired the cadi
”I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God,” replied he
”What is your profession?”
”I a the case, why did you join the officers of the law?”
”I only entered upon the calling yesterday, O cadi; but nothing is difficult to ain but my six dirhems a day, I have no objection to become a mollah”
The cadi and bystanders were unable to restrain their mirth, nevertheless, his feet were secured to the pole; and when hoisted up, they co care, however, to strike the polefinished, he was released, and turned out of the hall of justice, very entle infliction ”Well,” thought Yussuf, ”fate appears deter my livelihood every day Had I not allowed those Moussul rascals to enter my house, this never would have happened”
As he said this, he perceived one of the _beeldars_, or officers of the caliph's household, pass by hiht Yussuf, ”and the caliph does not count his people like the cadi It requires but an ier, and you are taken upon your own representation” Accordingly, nowise disheartened, and determined to earn his six dirhems, he returned home, squeezed his waist into as narrow a coave his turban a smart cock, washed his hands, and took a peeled al down stairs, when he recollected that it was necessary to have a sword, and he had only a scabbard, which he fixed in his belt, and cutting a piece of pal the handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he seith packthread Thushis twig of al every onehim to be one of those insolent retainers of office, who are supported by the great khans Thus he continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where adesperately Yussuf pressed forward, the crowdhi the force of his nervous and muscular proportions When he reached the coed so furiously, that no one dare separate the the dread which he inspired, and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the combatants several sharp bloith his al The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then approached Yussuf, andan obeisance, presented him with six dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace
Yussuf, securing the irdle, seized up the two co one under each arreat crowd folloith many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest, with a prayer for mercy Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation ”I am Yussuf,”
cried he, ”and I trust in God As a beeldar will I live and die By Allah! I will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars”
Now there were thirty beeldars in the service of the caliph, who attended the palace in rotation, ten each day On reaching the court of the palace, Yussuf took his station where the ten beeldars on duty were collected together He observed, however, that they were different fro men, and dressed in a very superior style
He felt some contempt for their effeminate appearance contrasted with his own muscular frame, but could not keep his eyes off their handsome and stylish dress Meanwhile the chief of the beeldars perceived hiined fro thereat o to do at home, had come as a visitor to the palace He re, ”This fine-built stranger ought to be considered as our guest Let us show him all courtesy, for he is of our profession, and therefore we shall not do ourselves credit if we do not prove that we have the power to serve hi with him, the chief went to the secretary of the treasury and procured an order of notice upon a rich confectioner, to pay into the treasury the sum of five thousand dirhems, due by him upon several accounts therein specified The vizier's seal having been attached to it, he ith it to where Yussuf was standing ”What ho! brother beeldar,” said the chief
”I am Yussuf, and my trust is in God; I am ready to obey your coreat humility
”May I request, brother beeldar, that you will do us of the palace the very great favour to carry this paper, bearing the vizier's seal, to Mallereat confectioner, and request the immediate payment of five thousand dirhems You know your profession; of course the money is not expected, but whatever hehiood will of the beeldars of the palace, and re”
Yussuf, highly delighted, put the order into his cap,it beneath his new-fledged dignity to walk, he mounted one of the asses ready for hire at the corner of the streets, ordering the driver to hasten before to clear the way, and ascertain which was the dwelling of the confectioner The house of Mallem Osman was soon discovered, for he was the most celebrated of his trade, and had an immense business Yussuf rode up on the beast, which was not half as large as himself, and stopped at the shop where the confectioner was superintending his work-people ”I a at the confectioner The confectioner heeded him not, when Yussuf strutted into the shop ”I ood Mallem Osman, to request that you will is, each containing one thousand dirhems, of which there appears at present to be no chance of receiving an asper This paper, sealed by the vizier, contains the order; and as you have the honour of being the caliph's debtor, you will do well to rise and acco the needful”
At this speech Mallem started up from his seat, advanced most submissively to Yussuf, took the paper and raised it to his head, addressing Yussuf with the most abject servility ”O most excellent, most valiant, and most powerful beeldar, hoell doth the caliph select his officers! How favoured am I by Allah with your happy presence! I a yourself in ”
Yussuf then threw the driver of the beast half a dirheued with his journey, and wiped his broith his sleeve The confectioner placed hie dishful of kabob, spread a napkin before Yussuf, and slicing a poar and placed it before hi with some sweet cakes and some honey ”O chief of beeldars!” said the confectioner, ”it is n to break your fast in the house of your servant Will you a better is preparing?” Here one of the shopht a bowl, into which he poured sherbet of the distilled juice of the lotus flower led with rose-water The master placed this also before Yussuf, and intreated hireat man, held his head up in the air and would not even look that way ”Condescend to obligethis sherbet, O chief!” continued the confectioner; ”or I swear by Allah that I will divorce est and most favourite wife”
”Hold--hold, brother!” replied Yussuf; ”rather than that the innocent should suffer, I will coh to say the truth I have no appetite, having taken my breakfast fro three fowls dressed in a different fashi+on I am so full that I can scarce draw my breath”
”I fully comprehend that it is out of compassion to your slave that you coe you;” and taking up the bowl of sherbet, which contained so draught he sed it all down The kabob now made its appearance, wrapped up in thin cakes of fine wheaten flower Yussuf sed this also with a rapidity which was astonishi+ng to behold, nor did he cease eating till the whole table was cleared The confectioner was aht he, ”breakfasted upon ten dishes, each containing three fowls each How fortunate forless than an ox stuffed with pistachio nuts would have satisfied him Would to Heaven that I ell rid of him!”
In the mean time Yussuf stirred not, but resumed his consequence The confectioner requested to know if his highness would wait till a dinner was prepared for him ”Indeed, friend, that is a subject of small concern My object here is, that you hasten with me to the treasury to pay in the five thousand dirhea,” replied the confectioner; ”I will return in onewith the choicest of his sweet thirty dirhe, ”My prince, I hu present of sweetmeats, and these thirty dirhe journey hither Deign also to favour me with your protection Trade is scarce, and money does not come in In a short time I will pay all”
Yussuf, are that the order had only been given that he ht squeeze a few dirhems out of the confectioner, then spoke with much civility ”My advice to you, Mallem,” said he, ”is, that you stir not out of your door to-day--there is no such hurry--nor to-morrow, nay, even a week, or a month, or a year I may say, stir not at all, for you haveto the palace at all”
It was near sunset when this affair was settled Yussuf walked ho as he went, ”I am Yussuf, my provision is fro anticipations, and changing his dress took out his basket and pitcher, returning loaded ained forty-two dirhee himself ”By Allah,” cried he, ”I will double my allowance, to the confusion of those rascally Moussul ly expended double thealso his allowance of wax tapers and oil, so that his house was in a blaze of light when he sat down as usual to his feast,twice as loudly as he had ever done before