Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-07-09

sz-f ..E4IAIT OF A vESDER OF TEE PER
FUMES OF AR4BT-A MAN WHO DID NOT
CAEE FOR Any MORE CIVILIZATION THAN
aE HAD.
rT=cm w.kJH "reminiscences oi an iJler.l
During my preambulations in Smyrna
vas caught by the Ingenious face OF a
handsome Turk, who sat smoking on his
stall with his legs cooled under hln, with
IN AIR Of supreme complacency. He WAS
q ysndeI Of the perfumes for which Ara
bv the blest" is famous. 1t was pleasant
to stand and sniffthe mingled aromas that
surrounded the spot. Jars of various
Is jc1ces and boxes of spiced shrubs emit
tel q fragrance ravlshing to the nose. As
y7c examined his sweet-scented wares, |
glanced occasionly at the owner, whose
countenance continued serene and impas-
sive. lie might have passed for statue,
SO perfect was the repose OF his features
and attitude. There was not the least
Indication Of solicitude as to our inten-
tons We would buy if the prophet SO
ordained We purchased some altar of
roses and other extracts, which were no
cheaper than in Paris, but far more genu
inc. After the parcels were made up, |
felt inclined TO have some chat with our
Inarchand Though sedate and reticent,
- all Turks are, vet there was a frank
ness n lis visage that was encouraging +;
and 50 bale my interpreter to ask him
f he could be tempted to leave Smyrna
and 90 10 Elv country, where his rare
perfume would yield him 10 times the
profit he could hope for here At the end
of few years he might return to the
East rich man.
1nal- ,,f .al oct, ans af,t
overspread his face.
"What :" he exclaimed, ''leaye the land
Of the prophet, to go among infidels
abandon ny home to accumulate money
| do not want | have enough to eat and
drink, and my pipe to smoke. | have a
vile, and, please Allah, hope some day
t. have anrthor. What mere have | tc
desire? | am satisfied.
This sampl- OF Turkish philosophy was
not little staggering.
"Eu,, tell him, continued TO the
iai rpreter, that Ill my country he would
be under the protection of the law, where
10 c..Ui could either imprison or bow
string lin. lie would be instructed,
would have books and papers to read, and
might learn what was passing in the
world; also, IN that happy country the
padisLah Is chosen by the people, to gov
crn them, anI he could take Il share Ill
lis eieCiIOu.'
This onticing description Of the advan-
tsg,s Of a superior civilization were all
thrown away Oh. the incredulous, ii moi
contemptuC. IS, Turk.
"iThat :.a these thinks TO me- Et
answered.
Would tLcy make me happier! Could
| eat OF drinK more in your country than
in mine? Could | smoke more or love
more Ny fathers have always lived III
TINS holy land Why should / leave il
till Allah calls ne away, when | shall &C
TO Mahomct's paradise, where hours in
Vulnerable await me? Do you think
would give up this to 90 to your unknown
woTld2'
i.lt that it wGs idle to hold out intel
lectuGl delights or political privileges Of
bats to tins true son of the prophet
whose faith IN the Koran was implicit
far more 50 than that Of most Christians
IN the Bible As | was moving off saiC
with a smile he little knew what he los
by not listening to my suggestions. Sud
denly thought struck him for, taking
the amber mOuthpiace from his lips, h'
inquired If women were cheaper in ny
country tnan in Turkey | told him tina
20 one IN ny land was allowed to hav'
more than one, and then only with he
consent This settled the business. 4
scOwl Of unutteTablc scorn darkened hi
fine physiognomy, and replacing In
pipe. he raised his eyes to heaven. evi
Iently in a spirit of thankfulness to Allal
that ii had not been his cruel fate to b.
born ia such benighted land