Sadik Beg, a Tale of India

SADIK BEG, SIR JOHN MALCOLM.

A TALE OF INDIA. Sadik Beg was of good family, handsome in person, and possessed of both sense and courage; but he was poor, hav- ing no property but his sword and his horse, with which he served as a gentleman retainer of a nabob. The latter, satis- fied of the purity of Sadik's descent, and entertaining a re- spect for his character, determined to make him the husband of his daughter Hooseinee, who, though beautiful as her name implied, w&s notable for her haughty manner and un- governable temper. Giving a husband of the condition of Sadik Beg to a lady of Hooseinee's rank, was, according to usage in such unequal matches, like giving her a slave, and as she heard a good re- port of his personal qualities, she offered no objections to the marriage, which was celebrated soon after it was proposed, and apartments were assigned to the happy couple in the na- bob's palace. Some of Sadik Beg's friends rejoiced in his good fortune; as they saw, in the connection he had formed, a sure prospect of his advancement. Others mourned the fate of so fine and promising a young man, now condemned to bear through life all the humors of a proud and capricious woman; but one of

his friends, a little man called Merdec, who was completely henpecked, was particularly rejoiced, and chuckled at the thought of seeing another in the same condition with him- self.

About a month after the nuptials, Merdek met his friend,

and, with malicious pleasure, wished him joy of his marriage. "Most sincerely do I congratulate you, Sadik," said he, "on this happy event." "Thank you, my good fellow, I am very happy indeed, and rendered more so by the joy I perceive it gives my friends." "Do you really mean to say that you are happy?" said Merdek, with a smile. "I really am so," re- plied Sadik. "Nonsense," said his friend; "do we not all know to what a tarmagent you are united? And her temper and high rank combined, must no doubt make her a sweet companion!" Here he burst into a loud laugh, and the little man actually strutted with a feeling of superiority over the bridegroom. Sadik, who knew his situation and feelings, was amused instead of being angry."My friend," said he, "I quite under- stand the grounds of your apprehension for my happiness. Before I was married I had heard the same reports as you have done of my beloved bride's disposition; but, I am happy to say, I have found it quite otherwise; she is a most docile and obedient wife." "But how has this miraculous change been wrought?" "Why," said Sadik, "I believe I have some merit in effecting it; but you shall hear. "After the ceremonies of our nuptials were over, I went, in my military dress, and with -my sword by my side, to the apartment of Hooseinee. She was sitting in a most dignified posture to receive me, and her looks were anything but in- viting. As I entered the room, a beautiful cat, evidently a great favorite, came purring up. to me. I deliberately drew my sword, struck its head off, and taking that in one hand and the body in the other, threw them out of the window. I

then very unconcernedly turned to the lady, who appeared in some alarm; she, however, made no observations, but was in every way kind and submissive, and has continued so ever since." "Thank you, my dear fellow," said little Merdek, with a significant shake of the head — "a word to the wise;" and away he capered, obviously quite rejoiced. It was near evening when this conversation took place;

soon after, when the dark cloak of night had enveloped the bright radiance of day, Merdek entered the chamber of his