Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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Qrahian igbts bturies CSERIES TWOJ FIRST NIGHT IT sHoULD BE RAINING TI-IE HISTORY OF ABON I-IASSAN, OR THE VALUE OF TURBANS IN WATER POWER When Abon Hassan arrived in Damascus to attend his brother's wedding, he discovered late one night that he had failed to bring his bro- caded turban with him. Since it was soon September fifteenth, Abon I-Ias- san felt he could not appear in a straw turban at such an important function. Abon I-Iassan felt great grief that he should haveoverlooked so impor- tant ai matter. A greatconflict en- sued between his oriental love for squandery and his better Scotch judgment. Alas, one morning he decided to purchase a new turban. Abon went to his brother confessing his deed, whereupon the brother com- forted him. Go to the market and there seek out Khaledon, the turban merchant. I-Ie has wondrous turbans, but take heed of his prices. Khaledon and company are the world's biggest Hgypsf' Whatever he asks for a tur- ban, you offer half the sum. A Many thanks, Brother. I shall obey your instructions. Abon I-Iassan went directly to the market place and found the shop of Khaledon iwithout difficulty, since Abon was a college graduate. The merchant greeted Abon warmly. They talked over their coffee for a few hours. I-Iowever, Abon decided he was in a hurry so he chose a 1 I llfmll ll ll beautiful turban of rich brocade and velvet. I Abon I-Iassan admired the turban greatly and on inquiring its price, he was told it cost eight drachms. I-Iowever, Abon was a college grad- uate, so he remembered his brother's warning. I-Ie offered four drachms for the turban. Khaledon perceived this with great surprise. I-Ie knew the gag was up. Whereupon he said, Friend, your offer is too little. This turban is as fine a turban as Damas- cus can boast. Examine its work- manship and quality. 4 Abon I-Iassan remained firm in his offer. But Khaledon knew he must sell Abon the turban, since business was slow and the rent was almost due. Khaledon said, You offer four drachms for this eight drachm turban. It's too little I tell you, but I'1l ask my partner, Bromoseltzer. I-Ie has a fifty-one per cent. interest in the business while I have a forty-nine per cent. interest. I-Ie controls the prices. Please wait here while I go to his house and ask him whether I may sell it for your offer. I'll wait. I'Iave you anything snappy to read? I-Iere, thanks, this is fine. Khaledon went to his partner's house on foot. After acquainting him with the details of the impending 43041-

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--- I .,--lg Zlrahian igbts Statics cfztnnrinuew sale, they decided that Khaledon should ask six drachms for the turban. Khaledon informed Abon Hassan of the new price of six drachms. However, Abon was a college grad- uate, so he remembered his brother's warning. Three drachms for the turban, barked the buyer. 1 V Khaledon was bewildered. He excused himself and went imme- diately to the house of Bromoseltzer with the new offer. ' Bromoseltzer weighed the matter carefully. At last he decided that Khaledon should tell Abon Hassan that this day being the tenth anni- versary of their first sale they would sell the turban for four drachms. Khaledon hurried back to his shop. He found Abon busily reading Allad- in's speech on the anniversary of the fiftieth year of successful use of the electric lamp. Khaledon held his hands in position on the cash register to ring up four drachms, after he told Hassan the new price. But Abon Hassan was a college graduate so he remembered his brother's warning. I will not take it for more than two drachmsf' he answered boldly. He was a college graduate so he remembered his brother's warning. Now it happened that Khaledon was tired. He knew that he must get rid of that turban since it was unlucky not to sell the first customer of the day. Khaledon went back to the shop from Bromoseltzer's house with great joy. He and his partner decided that since the turban was paid for and its owner had not called for it in over thirty days, they would give Abon Hassan the turban gratis-so as not to lose the first customer of the day. Khaledon entered the shop and announced the good tidings, saying, Since my partner was just blessed with a son, I present you with this turban gratis. When Abon Hassan heard that he was to get the turban free of charge, he reHected for a while. However, Abon Hassan was a college graduate, so he remembered his brother's warn- ing. He became furious and shouted, Nothing doing, Khaledon, I'll have two turbans or nothing! You see, my children, Abon Hassan was a college graduate. l.il 1- ls your baby a girl or a boy? Of course! What else could it be? vp wk :xc When a thing is blown 'away' in Florida, it's a tornado: in Chicago, it s a bomb. And if fashions keep foing back- wards, and milady dons bustles, the first thing you know college boys will start wearing garters. :ie as :xc If a Scotchman lost any money in Wall Street it is probably because it rolled down a grating. 43051