The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-02-22

Ihe old Arab woman loved the beautl-
ful child she listened to her story, and
gave her just such advice as was applica
bic to her situation. She led her to her
own strangely arranged and mysterious
room. gave her such instructions as she
needed for the purpose that she entertain
ed, and finally, when Esther left her, il
was with a light heart and nervous step,
while a close observer might have detect
ed a slight expression of exultation upon
her loyel y countenance. Had the old
witch been pretending that she possessed
sufficient superhuman power to save her
condemned lover, or what had the old
Arab done to work this change in the ap
pearance Of Esther? We shall see-and
in the meantime we must ask the reader
to follow us once more to another locality,
and at an advance in time Of some twelve
hours. it being already past the hour Of
noon on the day subsequent to the scene
Just related. It's the sesta hour. and few
people tbrong the thoroughfares, and
scarcely any one, save the military
guards, seem TO be fairly awake.
There appeared, at this time, before
the doors of the military prison an old
Arab woman, who was supposed to con
troll the fearful ban of the evil eye. She
demanded entrance. No one dared to
dispute her will for even military disci-
pline fails before superstition, and the
hag muttering her mysteries. is allowed
to pass in and to go where she pleases.
Now she seems to be invoking curses, nov
blessings, on various inmates, and soon
disappears into the cell devoted to the
confinement of Armond Druf. What oc
CURED there was of course not seen by
the other inmates, who, however, notlong
after observed the old Arab woman come
out, and passing the guard as she had
entered disappeared. Shortly afterwards,
Esther, the daughter of Ben Hannim, was
seen walking hither and thilher, and anx-
iously inquiring for the Arab woman,
who was known to belong to her fathers
household, declaring that it was all-impor-
tant that she should see the old woman
at once.
How she had passed the guard was not
known and as she seemed only intent up.
on finding the Arab woman, no questions
were asked her, and she, too. went her
way.
As the setting sun gilded the minarets
Of the seraglio gardens, there came a
guard to bear the prisoner, Almond Druff,
to his execution. He was TO be sacked"
and drowned in the Bosphorus; SO read
his sentence. But even the proverbial
gravity and GOODNESS of the Turks was
moved by astonishment, when it was
found that their late prisoner was gone !;
his chains were removed and his cell ten
antless. How many hours be had been
gone they knew not, nor had they the
least clue 10 his mode of escape, and con-
knew not how to direct any
plan of pursuit. The report was regu-
larly made to the governor, but naught
was heard of Almond Druff.
The following day the secretary of the
prison had posted up in the public places
and business bazaars Of Constantinople,
card, offering heavy reward for any
information relative to the escaped Ar
mond Druf, and prohibiting all, on pain
of death, from harboring him, and in the
mean time it became generally under
stood that not only was the Armenian es-
capped, but that the fair daughter of Ben
Hannim was also missing In vain did
the old Turk, her father, rave and tear
his beard, invoking the curses of the
prophet on the unbeliever who had en-
ticed away his child. Neither Armond
nor Esther was to be found anywhere /;
all relating 10 them was in mystery.
The evening subsequent TO that of Ar
monds escape, boat from an English
n.of. war lying at anchor below the city,
touched at a late hour in the evening at
the Stamboul shore, and small party
from the British Consulate Office took
their places in the stern, when the steady,
uniform pull of the twelve oarsmen caus-
ed the boat to glide over the waters like
an arrow, until the young officer steered
the boat laid it alongside the high bull
warks and dark hull Of the sloop-of-war.
1t will be remembered that We have said
Almond Druf was attached to the Eng
lish mission and in its pay. The consul
had become much interested in him after
having heard his story, and now offered
to send him to England, and Esther with
him, if she would go. H-
The ship was to sail the next morning,
and thus protected Almond having esca-
ped from prison in the disguise ofthe old
woman which Esther wore into the pris'
on, now found himself and her he loved
safely ensconced in the cabin of the Eng.
lish ship. His story, and the romantic
connection between Esther and himself,
influential persons in his behalf,
and soon after their arrival in England the
loving young couple were united to each
other, and Armond Druff at this very day
fills a pleasant and lucrative post in the
war-office in London. While his eastern
flower has borne transplanting without a
sigh. and peace and contentment reign in
their humble but happy home.
A,uoer RrII.-An Irish pirl in Ore.