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


caique upon the moonlit waters Of the bay
1t was not the first time they had thus en-
Ijoyed stolen moments together; they hat
often thus noated upon the sea at mid
night, and fortunately had thus far neve
been detected either by Ben Hannim O.
any Of the jealous guards that have cbarg'
Of the harem, and whose duty il is Il
watch both day and night over the in
mates. who generally are Ihde better thar
prisoners, and who, like a Gagged bird
would gladly ny away If the prison doors
we're opened. -.. aar 1I
How the lovers enjoyed those golden
moments, now Almond brealhed into the
listening ear OF her by his side his tale o.
love, decked in all the poelcal imagery
Of the Eastern tongue, and how those full
confdiHg eyes looked up and drank in
the influence Of his own, we must leave
the reader TO magine-it would be sort
of breach of trust in us, who know these
things, were we 10 betray the secret to
others. Not until The third watch was sci
at The sultan's palace. and the silver bell
of Seraglio Point struck the second hour
OF The morning, did Almonds caique turn
its PROV once more towards the Valley oi
Sweet Waters and the shores Of STAN.
boul.
But there were eyes--watchful eyes
ON the alert in the house Of the old
Turk, Esthers father; and when the rope
ladder was once more affixed, and tho
beautiful girl assembled TO her apartment
and kissed her hand TO Almond as the
caique once more shot away, prying
eyes sere watching her, as lhe seque
will show But she knew il not; and
throwing herself upon her cushioned
place Of repose, fell asleep dreaming oi
The soft moonlight, and the tender lam
guage Of Armond Druf, Sweet be thy
sleep, innocent girl; lite has but roseate
shadows for thee; no clouds have ever
dimmed the horizon of thy hopes.
On the following day, as Almond Duff
was walking through the bazzars, TWO
stout Turks, in the Sutan's unborn, ap.
preached him from behind, and throwing
leather hood over his head, made it faS.
at his throat in spite Of his struggles. and
bore him into nelghtoring guard sta
lion, from whence be was conveyed to
the military prison. In Turkey, justice
and punishment are summary, and know
not delay. No trial is granted. Judge
ment is given with little consideration
and punishment follow with fearful rapid.
ity upon the arrest, oflentmes Of inno.
cent parties. So it was with Eslher's
lover. He was already condemned 10
die, for had not he, an unbeliever, dared
to hold converse with daughter Of the
true faith? ... f"
The same evening, after Abou Ben Han.
MIN had joined his harem in the evening
prayer, and had lifted their hands and
bowed their heads towards Mecca, where
lies the tomb of the prophet, he bade
Esther to follow him to his cushions in
the villa that overlooked the valley Of
sweet waters. The child, little dreaming
of the fearful news that was there to be
broken to her. came, and throwing her
self at her fathers feet upon the luxuri-
GUS cushions, looked upinto his face Low
ingly, and touched her lutte with graceful
Incidence.
MY child, thou knowest one Almond
Druff, an Armenian ?
"Allah is great ! exclaimed the girl,in
unaffected amazement.
"And you saw him but yestCrnight,
upon the waters p continued the Turk
Father !" murmured the fair girl
half trembling, and knowing not what tc
say.
"He is dog of an unbeliever, and fol
that he dies p said the father, sternly.
"Dies father, dies ! What mean you,
father Z" was the trembling response
"rhat as tomorrow sun sinks behind
the hills of Tamani, the body of this
slave of an Armenian will find the bottom
of the sea-
Father p
"Well, Esther" ..
"Dost thou speak truly? Is be con.
demned to die? she asked, with forced
calmness.
"He is"
is there no reprieve?
"None !"
"Then you will be disappointed r.
As she said this her whole frame seemed
nerved with new strength, an unnatural
fire beamed from her eyes and the old
Turk withdrew the amber mouth piece of
his pipe from his lips, half in amazement,
half in admiration at his child.
She left him at once not responding to
his parting salute, and trouble sat upon
the face Of the Mussulman, but a few ad-
dilional grains of opium in his pipe soon
put him in condition of the most indo-
lent ease and Indifference.
Throughout the East, but more parlic-
ularly in Turkey and its capital, there pre-
walls strange and inconsistent dread OF
what is termed the eril eye, and amuets
are frequently worn. prayers said, and
even penance performed, to keep Oft the
dreaded curse of the evil eye. Any de-
formed person, hunchback, or old and de-
crcpid persons, who pretend to secret
knowledge of medicine and the like, are
often supported and retained by rich
Turks in their family households as pre-
ventives against the evil eye, which,
should it light by chance or design upon
I'll. ooo,.,oaJ oud