The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-10-28
Oriental Justice.

Some years since, when Prince Murat
and his family were travelling in the
Orient, he was taken sick, and on the way
from Stamboul to Jatfa became so ill
that he considered it prudent to discon-
tinue the. Journey for few days and re-
main over at the latter place; his wife and
daughter, however, continued their travels
until they reached Jerusalem.
The Pasha had been informed Of the
contemplated visit some weeks previous,
and in honor of such distinguished visit
ors had ordered the principal streets to
be newly paved and the road between the
Holy City and Jat1a to be put in order,
and made tolcrably passable.
1t was time of terror for the fellahs
(peasants), for all these Improvements
were not to be accomplished at the ex-
pense of Pasha or Government. The SOL
diers and prisoners were set to work, and
where their labor proved insufficient
rope was stretched across the streets and
roadway extending to the city gate and
every fellah coming in or going out was
arrested with his camels or donkeys and
forced to work, receiving his reward on
his back in the shape of a beating, and
having one plaster placed to his credit, to
be paid in some dim future day.
Merchants were ordered to partake of
the general Qualification by painting their
shop-doors and windows green.
His Highness Prince Murat might come
now as soon as he pleased.
Alas! Fate with her unfathomable
ways and tricks plays with Turks just as
she does with other mortals. The Prince
remained in Jaffa, and the whole Moham-
medan world was not a little chagrined to
id lo< 81 1o1 hol
been expended for nothing but woman.
With fambeaus and Turkish music the
Princess was escorted over the newly
French Consul.
Of course the Pasha heard how charmed
the lady was with the beautiful streets
and excellent roads. 1t was really dread
full, though, that this appreciative Great
ure, and Princess at that, should meet
with mishap in the very presence of the
Pasha!
The entrance, namely, leading to the
holy sepulchre is narrow and low, and
the stately Princess could not bend suf-
iciently lowing, probably, to some spinal
defect; tits a royal inheritance, this stiff
ness in the back, although I've known
some ordinary individuals to be afflicted
the same way) to admit her without bring
ing her brow in contact with the rocky
pediment; and this resulted with such
force that the lady fell fainting to the
ground. Such Oriental confusion as fol-
lowed is indescribable.
The Pasha sent orders to the patriarchs
of the church that the entrance should be
torn down and d larger and more elegant
portal built Immediately to prevent any
such distressing occurrence in future.
This proved very apple Of liscord
among the ecclesiastics- Catholic and
Greek clergy.
They could not decide which had the
best right to rebuild, and thus claim the
portal, or how great or small the expense
attending it, and how much each should
contribute toward its erection.
The cunning Greeks meanwhile were
not idle. During the quarrel they had Sc
cretly ordered stones to be hewn, and in
the night they took down the old and
built the new portal.
), This created terrible storm, that did
not end in a simple quarrel of words;
Catholic, Greek, Armenian, Kopts-all
joined in the disturbance until arrested by
the Turkish kawasses (soldiers) and
brought before the Pasha. He was seated
on his divan, ink and pen at his side, and
listened, in silence, to this babel of races.
"We have the best right to build the
gate; we are the greatest in number and
the wealthiestr' screamed the Greek mob.
"Santa Madonna delorata!" shouted the
Franciscans; tive have lived here for 600
years and more, and yet are to be prohib-
tied from building this gate!''
The Pasha smoked his narghiley quiet
ly for some time, then he suddenly ex-
claimed to an officer:
"Mustapha, go, take laborers, and tear
the portal down leave not one stone on its
foundationr'
Mustapha bowed and withdrew.
The Joy of the scholars was as wild as
the rage Of the Greeks, but the Pasha
sternly babe them be silent. Mustapha
returned.
"Thy will, o Pasha, has been DONE"
Where is the master-mason?"
The master is brought before him.
Mason, what is your demand for re-
building this portal?''
"Su hundred piasters, o Pashar'
every well, begin your workp'
The mason departs, and the Pasha turns
to the Christians, saying:
II am going to erect this portal myself,
as you have seen, for am just, and you
shall pay me 600 piasters each. The bust.
ness is ended"
Wise decree, the Pasha rebuilds with
the material torn down, pockets 1900 pi-
asters from the various warning denomina-
tons, and makes peace.-1'ranskated for
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