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The Garden of Romance


I

THE STORY OF THE LAME YOUNG MAN

Told by the Tailor

From The Arabian Nights

A merchant, sire, of this city did me the honour two days since of inviting me to an entertainment which he gave yesterday morning to his friends; I repaired to his house at an early hour, and found about twenty people assembled.

We were waiting for the master of the house, who was gone out on some sudden business, when we saw him arrive, accompanied by a young stranger, very neatly dressed, and of a good figure, but lame. We all rose, and to do honour to the master of the house, we begged the young man to sit with us on the sofa. He was just going to sit down, when, perceiving a barber, who was one of the company, he abruptly stepped back, and was going away. The master of the house, surprised at this, stopped him. "Where are you going?" said he; "I