Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-03-14
The Maid of Tlemcen.
A TRUE STORY.

a
The beautiful and picturesque city of
Oran, in Algeria, was, on the fourth of
March, 1882, the scene of much noise
and commotion.
The French troops, under General
Boyer, who were at that time garrison
ing Oran, were in o state of great ex-
element. By some unknown means
the news had spread that an expedition
was fitting out against the renowned
chieftain Abd.el-Kader.
Putting ortlerlies, blown horses and
dusty uniforms were to be seen in
every direction, and the neighborhood
of the headquarters of General Boyer
was the scene of some lively debates.
For ten days past all communication
with the exterior and interior had been
forbidden watchful sentries paced SOL
EMMY round the wallis, while the nu-
merous outposts arrested and searched
all persons unlucky enough to trust
themselves within the lines.
It was six o'clock in the evening, and
the last rays of the departing sun lin
gered in crimson caress on the sum-
mits of the neighboring hills.
The inhabitants of Oran were suffer-
ing severely from this military quaran-
tine and milk. fruit. vegetables, butter,
eggs, etc., were very scarce articles in
the market. Indeed, the Algerian
merchants took but little pains to CON-
ceal their disgust, and many a smoth-
cred curse reached the ears of gayly
dressed French officers as, with clank-
ing swords and ringing spurs, they
sauntered under the shade of the trees
lining the waterside, or smoked their
cigarettes with philosophical beatitude,
as they slipped their petit vere in some
comfortable cafe.
One group, noisier than the rest, was
gathered outside the Cafe de la France,
on the Place d'Armes. It was COM
posed # about twenty young officers,
and their uproarious laughter attracted
the attention of every passer-by. One
officer, o stout, portly parsonage, evi.
IDENTIFY of high rank, seemed to lead the
fun, and his fat sides shook like a small
earthquake as he applauded each new
joke.
Suddenly their attention was at
tracted toward beautiful girl, who
standing in the centre of the Place
d'Armes, was handing piece of bread
to beggar. When we say that she
was beautiful in the extreme, we only
family describe the style of her ex
quisite loneliness.
Her form might have compared will
that of the Venus de Medici, while hel
magnificent dark hair and flashing
brown eyes told of a proud and naughty
spirit.
Yet this lovely girl was literally clad
in rags. Her beautiful feet were bare
and her dusty and sun.burned face bore
the traces of long walk across rough
country. Her splendid hair hung il
luxurious disorder round her we'll
nodded neck, and plain little cap
poorly ornamented by few limitation
sequins, alone served to cover hel
head.
Around her waist were two turns O
a leather thong, supporting a baske
containing flowers and fruit.
Ventre ST. Gris!" cries the stou
officer. "What splendid grill"
"Sapristi! Yes," echoes a beardles
sub-lieutenant.
Here, ma belle !" shouts the stou
officer; let's have look at your flow
ers.''
The object of their attention hear
the call, for hastily hiding look o
deep disgust and hatred under smil
ing exterior, she closely saunters to
ward the group of officers.
Well, what do you want?" sh,
asks with provoking impudence.
"Come here and we'll tell YOU" an
swered one of the soldiers.
She was surrounded by a circle O
officers, who willingly bought her frui
and flowers for the pleasure of exchang
ing few words with her.
Unlike the generality of her country
women, she spoke French tolerably
and thus was able to sustain a CONVEX
sation with the militaires.
The beardless sub lieutenant ven
tured to touch her neck in a semi
impertinent and sheepish manner, bu
the fierce "Shouyah Lascar" wit
which his advances were met not onl
checked his impertinence, but re
strained the others from taking libe,
ties.
The stout officer, especially, seeme
struck with her beauty.
What magnificent premiere dan.
ease she would make! Why, she woul,
take Paris by surprise, and the Theatr