The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-04-08
A Christian Sheik in Arabia.

A Christian Shcik In ARABIA.
The National Baptist is responsible for
remarkable story which has been
widely circulated, and is, in substance,
rs follows: A man named Randall,
living in Oneida County in this State,
about forty years ago, married Welsh
girl. who soon after visited her friends
in Wales, where son was born. This
bow was educated in Wales, and after
ward went to Syria. While there a
sheik's daughter fell in love with him,
and he was arrested while travelling from
Damascus to Jerusalem by armed men,
taken to the sheik's tent and married to
the girl. 1t does not appear that he
made any strong remonstrance.
His tent was guarded by night and
his person watched by day, lest he
should escape, and this guard kept over
him for years. He and Arzalia, how
ever, seemed happy ; children were
born to them, and their domestic life
was marked by kindness, courtesy, and
true affection. Randall rapidly acquired
the Arabic language his wife rs rapidly
mastered the English. Their children
wore taught in both.
When he was admitted into the sheik's
family, they had to receive his religion
ms we'll rs his person. Through him his
wife became u Christian his father-in-
law became patron of his son-in-law' s
faith his children were brought up in
the fear of the Lord ; his son has be-
come sheik of the tribc-the father-in-
law having died. All the surrounding
tribes have become favorable to the new
religion, and have pledged their swords
in its defense. Many have been bap-
tised hundred OF childron have been
taught the new religion.
But n dcrvish, u zealot of the Mo-
hammedan faith had for II long time
been cndcavoring to stir up opposition
and prosecution he strove to have Ran
dall's sons thrown out of the employ of
the Turkish government. and, failing
in this, turned his assault upon IL
daughter of the foreigner, and charged
her with witchcraft and apostasy from
the true faith She was brought before
the meglic, composed of one hundred
and forty-four venerable sheiks and
etfendis to answer charges which in
yolved her life. Tho charges having
been presented and substantiated Us
best they could he by witnesses. she
was called upcn to answer them through
her advocate. She defended herself
and was acquitted.
The trial was in October, 1872. In
June. 1873. while Rosa was teaching II
class of forty-two little girls, i'll grove.
the way to heaven, the dcrvlsh stcaltllily
approached. and before any one was
aware he had murdered the maid and
fed The ilcetest horses of the tribe,
with armed riders, went III pursuit lie
was soon captured. tried and executed.
AN EXAspERATED BEIDE.-The JOur-
nal de Paris tells Il very droll story OF
All Interrupted marriage ceremony i'll Il
village near Metz. 1t appears that the
bridegroom had announced his age ut
thirty six years, but on having to pro
duce IL certificate of birth before the
Marie of the place, he was found to be
six wears older. This so exasperated
the Young bride that when her turn
came to pronounce her consent to the
union she said NO." very distinctly
The bridegroom, amid the excitement
of the assembled guests, entreated her
to pardon the subterfuge, which he laid
to his ardent passion for the bride. The
guests, afraid of losing the opportunity
of genial feast nj the cost of the bride
groom also endeavored to persuade the
bride to say yes, but of no avail.
Greatly offended at having her dignity
lowered. and being sighted in this man
ner. the bride would not give way, and
the guests. to their great regret, had to
depart from the scene disappointed.
The same afternoon. however, the bride
having had time for reflection, let her
self be persuaded to grant pardon to
the bridegroom for sighting her by his
false statement. and, arm in arm, they
went to the magistrate again, 10y whom
they were united i'll the bonds OF matri-
mOny.