The Council Bluffs nonpareil., 1861-11-16
APEEP INTO THE sHElK's HAREM

After little MYSTERIOUS whispering We
were asked if WEI should like to visit ''the
house." this being the only term by which
1t Is permitted to ailude to the female por-
ton OF the family. We gladly assented,
though feeling daubt as to the kind 1T IN.
terview We should have, our Arabic being
limited to Eve words, and, of course these
ladies speak no other language. At this
moment two fne little boys ran into the
court, sons OF our host, about seven and
four year old. They were spend,diy Dress
ed, and each bad superb algrete Of d.a-
monds in hIs fez; both had their eyes deep
ly stained with antimony. Our companions
and all the other men nov went away, and
We were left alone with the Sheik, who,
opening door at the end Of the court, in
troduced US into room far more European
in its furniture than any Of the others The
floor was covered with bright colored vel
vet carpet; n four post bed, with muslin
curtains. stood IN one corner; and over an
Eng ish ere place was a looking. glass and
several ornaments of bad French china
Indeed there was nothing Eastern abou, the
rooms but u long divan under the latticed
windows Two ladies' now entered, evident
ly very nervous and frightened. The eldest,
the Sheik's wife. looked much older than
her husband; she might have been fifty.
from her appearance, but probably was not
thirty, as women iu the East age rapidly;
the constant use Of the hot bath, want Of
exercise, and the quantity OF sweetmeafs
they eat, making them lose their teeth and
their compilations quite young.
She was magn,scrn'ly dress ID in crimson
brocaded satin, with velvet j,cket Of the
same color, covered with gold embroidery.
IL was very open in front. showing a cheml
settle, which, ms we'll as the under.leeves.
were OF thin gauzs, trimmed with gold lace,
round her throat hung several gold CHAINS,
with mpdiliions set With pearls, diamonds.
emeralds, and other precious srones. Her
features were still handsome. though strong.
iy marked, the eyes much biaekeDej with
otherwise she was not painted,
nor we're her hands stained with henna.-
The younger lady, her daughter, was about
fourteen. Sue tn,d fine eyes and a gentle
xpression of countenabce. Her dress was
ike her mothers in shape, the petit; ;oat on
lv being If velvet brocadc and the Jacket
green. Both ladies' wore long violet gauze
wells fastened TO the head by beautiful dia.
mond ornaments the hair was cut square
to the face, while quantity of false hair
hung behind in innumerabie p,aits, to which
gold coins were fastened. A black woman
now brought an unfortunate baby y no had
evidently been going through the misery of
"A toilette. The eyes were painted with an
timony, while the tears caused By the oper-
aticn bad washed long s,reass of black down
its poar itttle cheeks. On its head it hatT
three caps, the upper one being of velvet,
percbed quite on the top Of lis head, and
with diamonds Bu, the gran
deur seemed to be reserved for the higher
regions, rs its legs were rolled up 10 sort
of muslin rag. This baby belonged to the
lady; We had seen il before for
nj ,ment, strapped into most miserable
cradle iulaid with mother. Of pearl.