Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-17
LEILA JAN.
A Romance Of the Valley OF
Cashmere.

A European mot an Englishman) re-
siding in the valley, during dangerous
illness was carefully and tenderly nursed
by yOhng slave girl, whom we will des-
ignate. for the sake of convenience, Leila
Jan. With this young person who was
possessed of very great personal attrae-
tions, he fell deeply in love and finding
that his passion was returned, determ-
ined to make her his wife, but owing to
her not being a free woman he was un-
able to do this, her owner refusing to
give her consent. In vain were the good
Offices Of the Marahjah solicited, in vain
was the slave proprietor appealed to no
entreaties could move, no money On
reason) induce her to relent. On the
other hand, Leila Jan, upon the ap-
preaching departure of her lover, at
tempted fortunately Intellectually to
commit suicide. 1t was a narrowing
thought for this latter, as the approach
ing chills of winter warned him thst he
must depart, to remember the fate which
awaited his betrothed-death or intdBly;
and yet deferred by the difficulties of the
ease, an English clergyman who hap
pened to be straying in the valley, hest
tated to pronounce the nuptial benedic-
ton which itself indeed would hardly
have been effectual In this dilemma
and as a last resource, a stratagem was
resorted to, which was fortunately sue
cessful. One fine morning Leila Jan,
habited in the usual costume of her peo-
pie, "a long Turkey-red cloth frock or
gown. confined about the waist by a
shawl and a small skull-csp of gold en-
broidery upon the head sauntered care
lessly into a thick ounce orchard which
surrounded the house in which she was
living. Such proceeding of course Oc-
casioned no remark. 1t was naturally
supposed that she had merely gone, ac-
eording to custom, to while away some of
the hot portion of the day. beneath the
cool shade afforded by the trees, or in the
summer houses interspersed among them
and it was not until hour after hour had
gone by aud the shades of evening were
beginning to fall, that alarmed by her
non appearance, her servants, some of
whom were employees of her proprietor,
thought it incumbent to go in quest of
her. To their surprise, the pleasure
grounds were searched in yain-she was
nowhere to be found.
Terrified and astonished-the more so
as the European had also been missing
all day-they hurried off to the authOri-
ties with the news. Great was the in
lignation at the palace of the Sherghur
when it was received, but they we've told
TO calm themselves &" the lady must be
only hiding somewhere all the passes
are strictly guarded, and no native fe-
male can possibly evade the scrutiny of
the sentinels. Nevertheless, all their eff
forts to recover her proved Intellectual,
md she was never seen again in Cash
mere. Her mode of escape was subse-
lently ascertained to be this
\ large and swift boat, manned by six
teen picked oarsmen, had been for some
time previously moored day and night
bv the Europeans orders in the Jhelum
At the bottom of the ounce orchard
relays of ponies had also been provided
md pickcted at intervals upon the Hur
rec road, leading into British territory.
When all was prepared, the lovers had
met by appointment in a secluded part OF
the orchard, where the " falre ladie
quickly donued the contents of bundle
which had been brought by her compan-
ion, and, being of very fair complex
ion aud rather tall, made up into an ex
.ellent imitation of an English boy or
youth whose costume she had assumed.
No native who saw her emerge with her
from out the trees, would
have guessed her identity from her ap-
Her own dress she of course
carried off with her, as, if found, it
would have told q tale. Once safely on
board, the boat shot off at its utmost
speed toward BaramoOlla, where a pair
Of excellent ponies awaited them. They
had seventy miles, however, to 90 before
they could reach the English frontier,
and the road was steep and difficult.
Luckily the telegraph was not invented.
The picket of soldiers at the last pass
merely stood aghast as two mad English
men (as they thought them galloped
past. After long and fatiguing ride
the fugitives safely crossed the boundary
line-the Jhelum river-the lady free
woman. 1t is pleasant to know, finally,
that she really became the wife Of her
deliyerer, and the happy mother Of
numerous family.