Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-05-13
NEAIRER 2e


About Twenty-Five years ago "a conpa-i
ny Of young men started out from Da-
maseus and headed for Jerusalem. They
had not gone far before band Of armed
hOrsemen surrounded them and ordered
a halt. The leader said the caravan
might move on, unhurt, If they would
deliver up one Of their number, a young
man named Randall, who should not suf-
fer II he would come along peacefully.
The terms though hard, were acceded 10,
and the last look his companions had Of
him was to see him mounted on fine
horse, attended BY the gay horsemen Of
the Bedonin Sheik of the lie Ayish tribe.
The g9ung man was taxed to the Shiek's
tent, and to his surprise found a magnifi-
cent entertainment awaiting him. What
does ali this mean Z? fArzalia, the Shelkis
daughter, has seen the young man and
fallen passfOnately in love with him, and
this is the wedding feast. The young
man and Arzaiia are married. There
was no escape for him. His tent was
guarded by night, and his person watch
ed by day lest he should escape, and this ]
guard was kept over him for years. He
and Arzalia, however, seemed happy;
children were born 20 them, ana their
domestic life was marked BY kindneSs,
courtesy aud true aisectiQn--. Randall
rapidly acquired the Arabie language;
his wife IS rapidly nasfere t1f tnE-
both.
Now who was this Randalis In On
eida county, New York, lives his father,
who has never seen the face Of his son.
This father is now man OF some seven-
ty years, who was brought up among the
Indians, and has travelled again and
again with the hunters of his tribe over
the entire Mississippi valley in search of
ash and game. At the age Of twenty-0ne
the chief of his tribe said to him: You
had better return to the white people,
for among them you can be more of 4
man than among the Indians He re-
eurned, secured a Welch lady for his
wife, and while she was on a visit 70 her
relations in Wales this son was born.
The mother dying soon after his birth,
he remained until manhood with his
kindred in Wales, and was taking a trip
through Syria, previous 70 his return TO
America, when he VAS captured by the
Sheik, and compelled TO marry his daugh-
ter. Ills mother was q Baptist, and he,
before he left Wales for the Orient, was
baptized. When he was admitted TO the
Sheik's family they had to receive his
religion as well as his person. Through
him his wife became Christian; his
father-in-law became patron of his SON
in-law's faith his children were brought
up sin the fear of the Lord" his son
had become Sheik Of the tribe-the IA
ther-in-law having died. All the sur
rounding tribes have become favorable 20
the new religion, and have pledged their
swords in its defense.
But a Dervish, a zealOt of the Moham-
medan faith, has for long time been en-
deavOring to stir up opposition and perse-
cutiOn; he -trove TO have Randall's sons
thrown out of the employ of the Turkish
Government, and failing in this, turned
his assault upon the daughter of the for
eigner, charging her with witchcraft
and apOstasy from the truth. She was
brought before the Meglis, composed of
III venerable Sheiks and Oneudis, to
answer charges which involved her life.
She although but IA years Of Of age, and
dressed In the neatest manner, with Q
placid face, and calm heart and unfalter-
ing trust, responded: fsMost venerable
fathers, ! win reply in person" and
then with feryor, and faith, and power,
holding her Bible in her hand, and fire.
quently reading passages from 1t, she
made a defense worthy OF an apes
tie; and when she finished, the unan-
imOus verdict was In her favor, and the
chiefs of the tribes pledged each other
their swords anew 10 defend all Chris
tians who thought and felt as Rosa did.
But the old Dervish breathed revenge
and determined 10 take that young life.
The trail was in October, 1872. In
June, 1873, while Rosa was teaching a
class of fexty-two little girls, in a grove,
the Dervish stealthily approached, and
before any one was aware he had muir
dered the maid and fed. In the last let
Ter from Lady Arzolia lie Avish Randall,
giving all the particulars of her ehild's
trial and tragid death, occurs this beauti
full sentence and earnest request; 'Pray
for me, that my piety may be as humble
as the violent, as enduring as the olive,
and as fragrant as the Orient. San
Francisco Chronicle.