The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-01
DERvIsEs IN CoNsTANTIN0PLE.

We have translated tho following story
from n German journal Die Grenzboten,
published at Leipsic, Germany. 1t is given
there rs translation from the Servian- Croa-
tian language. The author is priest of the
Franciscan order in Bosnia. His name is
lnkie. He was well known as one of the
agitators in the last Bosnian rebelion.l
Numbers OF devout dervises go up every
year to the large cities of the Ottoman
empire. They are especially found in
Constantinope. A year does not pass in
which they DO not appear in this holy city.
Some come from Peria, Others from Asa
Minor, others again from Bagdad and
elsewhere. Here they surround them
selves with cloud Of piety and poverty,
and remind the inhabitants of Coustan.
tinop'e now noble is their calling, how
great their pety aud virtue, how exalted
their holiness, because they 90 clothed in
rags about the streets Of Constantinople,
begging aims.
do not know how it happens that in
the year 1928 greater crowds than usual
OF these holy guests came TO Constantine
pie. They were we'll aware that the more
of the same kind there were, so much
more scanty would the gifts of the devout
be shared by individuals; nevertheless
lhe.5 came in floods o3bConstantinope,
and several hundreds were assembled
there at once. A stranger might have
supposed they came to defend the city
aga nst foreign army. The brotherhood
Of Islam had arrived the first. So long
as these were alone, they got along toler-
ably well, but matters afterwards went
worse.
On a certain Sunday, Ussein, the oldest
of the company, addres, ed his assembled
brethren, and began to complain, in
voice interrupted by weeping, My broth
ers, we are twelve orthodox Mussulmans.
You see for yourselves how black this
year is to us; three days have passed
without our having collected para or n
dinar. There is no longer any true be-
lief among the Turks; people have no
longer any sympathy for us; everything
Is cold. Have you heard what has hap.
Pened ut Warna and Rostindza? Have
you heard how the Franks oppose our be-
liefi Are not the dcrvises under the spe-
cial punishment Of GOd and his prophet
Mahom"t, who is angry with the Mussul-
man Of the present day Do you not see
how the Turks parade in Frank panta-
loonsa Shall these things prosperl No,
no! the Turkish faith is declining. Listen
by brethren, my depIorable companions,
listen TO me; we must separa,e-one 90
here, another there TO seek ohr livelihood.
We will 60 further and leave CONSTANT
noPle behind us to the anger of God
The Muscovte will avenge us on the dwell
lers Of ConstantinopIe, and repay them
for their parsilnony to us and the Turkish
faith"
His speech was interrupted by streams
Of tears, which fell over his cheeks. The
other dervises were moved by his address,
and melted into tears also. Only Omer
turned his eyes around as il he had not
yet lost al hope. "Fear not, my brethren;
fear not, my companions" began Omer,
81 am the youngest, and on that account
the least wise Of any among you. Will
you permit Inc 10 speak J!
They all answered, ut is permitted" :"
Z" If it be So" continued Omer, Sustain
yourselves. We are not yet lost! There
are yet true Turks in Constantinople it
is not true that they ale all turned Franks.
Have you not seen that whole troops of
deryises have come here, and since the
saints are so pumerous in Conslantinople,
they lose their Importance no one heeds
them. This is the true reason. Let us
not be fools My advice, il il is aqreea.
bic TO you, is this /: To morrow is Friday !;
| will stretch myself out stiff, and repre-
sent myself dead. You will then carry
me into the middle Of the street which
leads to the great mosque; you shall GOV.
or me with a thin shroud, and lay me on
q board.
-Four of YOU will remain to watch me,
and weep over NC. ii any Of the passers
10y ask you The reason Of Your sorrow,
yon will say 10 them that one of the bro.
tIIcrhood is lead, and you have not so
mucl, as will bury hin, in the manner
prescribed ty our law. No one will be
so hard hearted rs not to have compassion
at sight Of dead body. In this way we
shall collect money ostensibly for funeral.
/ @ ConstsntinopIe is large, and has many
mosques, and there are twelve Of US who
can take our turns, if, God will. Is this
agreeable 70 you !"
/ And they answered with ono voice
Bre Afsria, Ii is good, omer! Who