Mower County transcript., 1871-07-13
Eating Salt.

In Western Asia, one who eats of q
chieltain's salt is ever after entitled to his
friendship and protection.
In Eastern and Southern Asia, the same
is true of the betrl or Arcca nut, highly
astringent fruit, that is chewcd with to-
bacco, chunam and serie leaf, by all classes
aud both sexes, from morning till night,
without intvrmission, except AZ meal times.
Whenever a ncighbOr steps IN, or even a
stranger calls he is always invited to per-
take OF the betel, handed around hy the
host or hostess; and one who has thus
pertakcn need never fear treachery or in
Jury of any sort from his host. Neither
would the guest, if an Oriental, ever so
far violate the usagcs of his country as to
wrong, in the slightest particular, the man
whose hospitality he has shared. Having
eaten together, they are henccforth bound
to each other in indissolublc bonds Of
sacred friendship.
1t is thus very easy for stranger or
traveller to secure the protection of the
rulers of Oriental lands, by presenting
himself at the chieftain's table, taking
shelter under his roof, and accepting the
hospilality which is always and every
where, throughout the East, prot1cred to
strangers and foreigners. TO such an ex
tent is this principle carried by The Arabs
and some other nations, that even if a
dumb animal were to take refuge under
the shade of their tents, they would esteem
it dishonorable TO yield it UP to it's pur-
suers; while blood is often split, and
wealth suuandcrcd like water, in tho main
tenancc of this obligation.
A story is related Of Bahram Goo, after
ward King of Persia, which serves to
illustrate how deeply interviewer with the
strongest impulses Of an Arabs nature is
the sense Of obligation to protect, with
his very life, if need be, whatever has fled
to him for refuge. Prince }ahram, while a
yound man, passed much of his time in
Arabia, roaming over its deserts and
plains, and occasionally seeking amuse-
ment in the chase. He, one day, while
thus engage d, encountered doe SO won
dcrfully swift Of foot that the prince,
though mounted on an Arab stced Of re-
markabe tlcctncss, could never get within
shot of her. The chase lasted Tor several
hours, till the poor, frightened animal,
faint with heat, and half dead with fatigue,
fled in despair to an encampmcnt OF Arabs,
and covered down in one the of tents.
Her pursuer followed at full speed, and
refining up at the door of the tent, called
out to the occupant to give up the deer
"The arrow that is now set in you bow
must first go through my heart" said the
indignant Arab; land even then you will
scarce escape the vengeance of my people
You may take my horse that stands out
side the door, if you will, or any thing else
that belongs to me but not a hair of this
doe shall you touch while live to protect
her. When did IN 1ruo ever betroy his
gucyt?"
And looking scornfully upon the man
who had supposed him capable of such an
act of basencss, the indignant Arab folded
his arms, and in sullen silence awaited the
result.
Prince Bahranl, rccollccting the habits
of the people, and admiring the courage
and humanity Of the hospitable chief,
turned away and departed without any
further effort to obtain possession OF the
doe; and when he afJcrward succeeded to
the throne of Persia, he sent for this Arab
and placed him in a position of II >nor near
his own person, feeling assured that one
who would 50 nobly defend the rights of
u dumb animal, might well be trusted with
weighticr responsibilities.
A still more remarkable instance of the
restraining influence of this custom, and
the disgrace that would attach to its non.
observance, has been related to me.
A Persian robber having effected an en-
trance to the palace Of his sovereign, col
lected large quantity of valuablcs with
which he was about to decamp, when his
foot accidently struck against something
that lay in his way. Pausing he stopped
and picked up the article, which felt cold
and hard to his touch; and being unable
in the dim light of the XII chen to see what
it was, he raised it to his lips to ascertain.
His rage and disappointing Mt may ,'e i'm.
agined when lie found it was lump of
salt he had so unguardedly tasted. llav.
ing thus partalzcn of salt undr that roof,
he regarded himself as pledged by tho
laws Of hospitality to in1lict no injury
upon any of it's inmates; and he departed
empty handed, as he camc leaving all the
valuablcs he had so carefully collected,
piled up in the hall, where they
were found in the morning, by the
astonishcd household. Long nfterward,
the robber revealed the whole story to his
prince, who received him into his service,
and kept him ever after near his person.
Little Corporal.