The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-11-05
: Marriaae oatrase.

CoNsTANT!NoPLE Oct 3I-The Ea
/ -i 81 and French Cou-ul- are in,istin.
! hat the Porte shall give attention {,
! their reports respecting he recent out
rage perpe,rated 10 H4ijiu. q s,.s'l { vi
/ r. ASA Minor where . young cirl va.
| iure'|lr married against hcr va iucliua
| tionS ani against he desire z her father
simply because she had been Detrothed
when she was only five years of age The
Porte Is anxious not 10 involve itself in =
quarrel with the Armenian ecciesiastic.:
but the scu-ul- are determined that such
an outrage against ali morality shall not
| co unpunishCd.
PARTICULARS or THE OUTRAGE
The circumstances Of the forced mar
rage of Narc.s KirkyachariaQ illustrate
the double rule under which the Eastern
Christians ive-that of the Turks and OF
| their own blshops-an shows up il dark
colours the tyranny 50 often cNsgcisel bl
the latter. \ certain Mss A4rcis Kirk
yacharian, belonging u well known
family Of liadpir, was affianced at a very
tender age, according to the barbarous
custom of the country, 10 a sen OF a
nclghbor. From the age of SIX she was
placed at the American school, where her
great Intelligence and beauty made her a
tavourite. and she became a most intelli-
sen1 young lady. Naturally enough she
| learned TO dcspise the ignorance around
her and 10 form other ideas ofmarlage
from what she saw among hel teachers,
and when on leaving school, az tie begun
nlng Of the present summer, she found
her hand claimed by a loutish Individual
with the manners of a pig she strongly
| OBJ. cted to ratl!y the promise made for
| 0y her parents when she was only five
years old.
tie tears and suprlications prevailed
aud the first engagement having been
broken off later on second was formed
with youlg fellow living at Adaua, and
they were about to be married The
family priest, however, made his appear
ance one day, declaring that he could not
marry them, that the first betrothal held
good ard that the Young girl had better
make her peace with her discarded tiance
as the ''Tchorhajees (the elders of the
comm unity We're determined that she
should take him for a husband, and no
other. In VAN the father be,ought these
people not to interfere. The father then
telegraphed to the Catholicos of Sis, Tho
Sreat Armenian prelate who wiclds papa
authority over half the Armenians ot
Asia Minor.
This ecclesiastic not only sided with the
ichorhajees, but arranged with them ;
plan for carrying out the marriage, anC
concentrating it in the teeth of all op
position. The poor girl had fled fol
refuge TO the missionary, trusting in the
protection OF the foreign flag. The Turk
lsh authorities, ofwhom she was demand
ed by the Bishop and his vile crew refus
ing TO take any steps In the matter, 10
OF rufflans were hired TO attack the place
and carry her off by force. lmmured il
a cell, she was submitted to the mos
rigorous treatment with the hope of over
coming her resistance. She continued tt
manifest her repugnance TO the union
declaring that she would rather die thar
marry the brute who was the cause o
such persecution. Spurred on by The
evil counsels Of the Tchorhajees, and th'
desire to strike d blow at the influence o
the American missionaries, the Bishol
finally decided to conduct the marriag,
ceremony by force.
| Proceeding to her prison cell with al
the neces>aries, accompanied by th,
animal aud the Tchorhajees bought will
his gold, thi. ignoble prelate commenced
to read the service At sight Of tn
leering crowd the poor girl fell at tn
knees of the Bishop, aud, with tears, in
plored him to desist In vain she strug
gled to escape. Held fast by two of tn
ruttians as she lay upon floor, for sh
lay upon the floor, for she could not b
kept upon her feet, the horrid sacrilag
was completed by the nuptial benedictio
being pronounced while she still loudl
protested against it. The matter did DO
end here The so-caled husband let
with the young girl, in order that by IT,
consummation of the marriage all oppC
sltion might cease. found the strength {
the unwilling bride too much for hin
} and so the Tchorhaiees had to come t
his assistance. Some sx hours afterwar
the poor victim. more dead than alive
was carried off to her brutal master
| residence. The fathers life has eve
threatened, as well as that Of girl, if a
! end be not put once to the measures tina
are being taken to bring about an otfici;
: enquiry, and NJ. Kirkyacharian ha
| thought it necessary to fly to Adana. Th
I key to the conduct of the Bishop is n
! doubt to be found in the jealousy Wit
which the progress made by the Amer
e can missionaries in that of Asia Minor
!, regarded by the Armenian clergy.
A W,pDrou'c Fpprrcrr T YTrrp