The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-08-19

IitT UlItn was something Ike tHat oI lltopa-
ira had she a diadem ON her head one could
have taken her for one of those queens we
read of in ancient history, or had She on All
oakcn chaplct she might have passed for
pricstcss among the Druids. This lovely
mountain maid, who had passed her life amid
the SHOWS of Caucasus, and whose lot l. sIay
be to become one day the wife Of Sultan,
wore a sorry garment Of coarse blue cloth,
which was faded and much stained. II was
made after the Turkish fashion, open in
front, and exhibited to view an under.gar-
mcnt very much soilcd, but embroidered with
silk Of many coors. This garment showed
so well the graceful development Of the bust
that you would have almost sworn that it
was pasted to her. 1t is quite clear that
there must he some superior scamstresses in
the Caucasus She wore a white muslin
veil, cast back, which was stained and torn
but so attached as 10 cnvelop her like YES
tai when she pleased. When we had CON
templated this sspccimcn Of beauty, so rare in
any country,wc preceded to inspect the men
who were the fathers or unces of females
and children for sale. Thc greater part OF
the Circassians speak and understand the
language Of the Turks, and il was in this Ian
gGage that the doctor interrogatcd them, and
received their answers. ! shall merely give
the translation Of my guide:
what is the price Of this child :" said he
TO one Of the tircassians.
"Three thousand piastrcs," replied the
other, \ sum equal 10 about 600 francs
And what do you ask for the grl!" said
the Doctor, pointing TO the individual just
described
"Twcnty-hye thousand piastres, neither
more nor less and seeing that the Doctor
was saying something to Inc in whisper,
lac added, THAT is not too dear for her en-
tire person is a. free IRON defects as her face
When the quaraniinc is over you can make
yourself sure Oh that bead II is only Il
year ago that sold her sister, who is not in
any way her SUPERIOR and yet she brought
me thirly-two thousand pastrcs But a. We
are at present in greater want ofmoncy than
VIC usually are, We shall lower the price TO
get away the sooner
and why have you more want Of money
now than last year.
Because We want to buy muskc,s, and
powder aud balls"
What And is it for the purpose ofbuy-
ing arms and ammunition that you are going
10 sell your children
"CcTtainly; We wish to drive the Russians
from our country, and We have nothing else
to sell but our children
The idea that these men would engage in
such n traffic for the purpose Of enabling
them TO struggle against the Russians made
me reflect graycly for moment. looked
rt tirr doctor of the quarantine tn Err If m
shared my emotion, but hc had been 50 ac-
CustGmed to these scenes that the present
one made little or no impression on him, and
he now confined III iDattention to whether
there were any individuals among the lot
who required his professional services. But
in W hat light was TO regard tlis people :
Could ladmire those men who carried their
patriotism and love Of liberty to such pitch
As to sell their children, Admiration ne
doubt felt, but not without sentiment of
deep sorrow. Unfortunately, however, on
reflection came TO learn that it was not
since the war began that these men have en-
gagged in this dctestablc traffic, and that it WIS
not merely for the purpose Of buying arms
with noble and heroic intention that they
were in the habit of selling their daughters,
their sisters, their sons and their brothers,
but that it had been practccd by them from
time immcmora for the purpose of sa,ifying
the commoncst wants. felt a thrill of hor-
ror run through me when looked at those
obdurate and heartlcss men, smoking and
laughing and coolly talking about TIE fate Of
their own llcsh and blood. wished to leave
the odiOus scene, but the doctor begged OF
me to stop and lot condemn these men be-
fore heard them in justification OF their con
duet. He took aside a hale old man, the
quick flashes Of whose eye denoted birth in.
telligcnco and communicatiycness. The lat
ter, being intcrrOgated by the doctor, said
that 1t was from sentiment Of tcndcrcst ai-
fcction for their children that he and his
countrymcn were addicted TO this traffic.
at is no trfing sacrifice that we make"
said he, "in thus separating ourselves from
our dear children, but we are consolcd by
the thought that this separation will be use
ful to them. In the mountainous regions
where we live our daughters are subjected to
the greatest hardships. We have neither
bread nor clothing TO give them. But once
that they are sold, they become ladics-,hry
enter the haremS of the Turks, they Lad a
quiet and easy life, they feel no want of clo-
thing in winter and they have always bread
TO eat And those who chance to get into the
harems Of the great people have not only
clothes and bread at their command, but al.
so luxury, grandeur and power. They
amusc themselves in baths of amber. They
have head Of rpcarls. They have per,
fumes and music, and everything that the
tenderness and love of their masters can pro.
| cure for them BY their sides our sons who
have been received by the Turks may be-
come officers in the army, captains, cadis
/ pashas and vizicrs. They then bless their
/ parents who have had the courage and GOOD
sense to cmancipa,e them from life ofhard
ships, of struggles, and ofcrucl labors. Ant
then, when we rear them with the intention
Of sling them, they know that no happiness
awaits them in their own country, and there
fore, they leave it without regret The Rus
slams who wish 10 cnslave us under the pro
test that we follow an inhuman trade, are no
better than we arc. The great prince
(Shamyl,) who knows them well, who has Ii
we'd in their cities, and studied their manners
aud their laws, has often told us of the horri
blc deeds committed among them. We sci
our children, because we cannot afford then
any other life than that of constant labor ant
of misery that cannot be removed. Yet ",
have gentle manners, we love each other
and we oblige and assist each other. Anon;
us you will not find the kRout, neither vii
you see prisoners nor cXccutioncrs. Tn
wishes ofour old men are always attentivel,
listened to and respected. And the strange
who risks his person in our mountains is al
ways sure of protection and assistance"
The doctor continued his conversation will
the old Crcassian for few minutes longer
He spoke to him about Shamyl, who is king
a prophet, very god throughout all tn
Caucasses. Shamyl is hero even in tn
eyes of Europeans, but besides this he is
prophet among the Circassians.
"Shamyli is inspired by God" added tn
old man.--"llc often retircs to the rcccssc
ofa cavern, where he remains for five or 81
days at time to hear the counscls which a
angel comes to give him. lie is n lion i
battle. The Russians are net able to bcs
the glare Of his countcnance, and when the
hear the thunder Of his voice they turn thei
backs and flee. We have slain many ,
, these fellows. and that is the reason why tll