What Happened to Hadji, a Merchant of the Bezestan

Hadji was a married man, but even Turkish married men are not

invulnerable to the charms of other women. It happened one day, when

possibly the engrossing power of his lawful wife's influence was

feeble upon him, that a charming Hanoum came to his shop to purchase

some spices. After the departure of his fair visitor Hadji, do what he

might, could not drive from his mind's eye, either her image, or her

attractive power. He was further greatly puzzled by a tiny black bag

containing twelve grains of wheat, which the Hanoum had evidently

forgotten.

Till a late hour that night did Hadji remain in his shop, in the hope

that either the Hanoum or one of her servants would come for the bag,

and thus give him the means of seeing her again or at least of

learning where she lived. But Hadji was doomed to disappointment, and,

much preoccupied, he returned to his home. There he sat, unresponsive

to his wife's conversation, thinking, and no doubt making mental

comparisons between her and his visitor.

Hadji remained downcast day after day, and at last, giving way to his

wife's entreaties to share his troubles, he frankly told her what had

happened, and that ever since that day his soul was in his visitor's

bondage.

"Oh husband," replied his wife, "and do you not understand what that

black bag containing the twelve grains of wheat means?"

"Alas! no," replied Hadji.

"Why, my husband, it is plain, plain as if it had been told. She lives

in the Wheat Market, at house No. 12, with a black door."

Much excited, Hadji rushed off and found that there was a No. 12 in

the Wheat Market, with a black door, so he promptly knocked. The door

opened, and who should he behold but the lady in question? She,

however, instead of speaking to him, threw a basin of water out into

the street and then shut the door. Hadji, with mingled feelings of

gratitude to his wife for having so accurately directed him, but none

the less surprised at his reception, lingered about the doorway for a

time and then returned home. He greeted his wife more pleasantly than

he had for many days, and told her of his strange reception.

"Why," said his wife, "don't you understand what the basin of water

thrown out of the door means?"

"Alas! no," said Hadji.

"Veyh! Veyh! (an exclamation of pity) it means that at the back of the

house there is a running stream, and that you must go to her that

way."

Off rushed Hadji and found that his wife was right; there was a

running stream at the back of the house, so he knocked at the back

door. The Hanoum, however, instead of opening it, came to the window,

showed a mirror, reversed it and then disappeared. Hadji lingered at

the back of the house for a long time, but seeing no further sign of

life, he returned to his home much dejected. On entering the house,

his wife greeted him with: "Well, was it not as I told you?"

"Yes," said Hadji. "You are truly a wonderful woman, Mashallah! But I

do not know why she came to the window and showed me a mirror both in

front and back, instead of opening the door."

"Oh," said his wife, "that is very simple; she means that you must go

when the face of the moon has reversed itself, about ten o'clock." The

hour arrived, Hadji hurried off, and so did his wife; the one to see

his love, and the other to inform the police.

Whilst Hadji and his charmer were talking in the garden the police

seized them and carried them both off to prison, and Hadji's wife,

having accomplished her mission, returned home.

The next morning she baked a quantity of lokum cakes, and taking them

to the prison, begged entrance of the guards and permission to

distribute these cakes to the prisoners, for the repose of the souls

of her dead. This being a request which could not be denied, she was

allowed to enter. Finding the cell in which the lady who had

infatuated her husband was confined, she offered to save her the

disgrace of the exposure, provided she would consent never again to

look upon Hadji, the merchant, with envious or loving eyes. The

conditions were gratefully accepted, and Hadji's wife changed places

with the prisoner.

When they were brought before the judge, Hadji was thunderstruck to

see his wife, but being a wise man he held his peace, and left her to

do the talking, which she did most vigorously, vehemently protesting

against the insult inflicted on both her and her husband in bringing

them to prison, because they chose to converse in a garden, being

lawfully wedded people; in witness whereof, she called upon the

Bekdji (watchman) and the Imam (priest) of the district and several of

her neighbors.

Poor Hadji was dumfounded, and, accompanied by his better half, left

the prison, where he had expected to stay at least a year or two,

saying: "Truly thou art a wonderful woman, Mashallah."