Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-02-06

DE considers the vault cOmpIetely gnOul-
proof, but there is a difference of ooin-
ion in regard to this. There is intense
excitement throughout the city over the
affair.
The Passion Play.
An eastern letter-wrIter says: 1t has
been my privilege TO witness what trav-
elers call the Persian Passion Play. TIE
Perslans claim that Ali, the son-ln-law
of the Prophet, was rIghtfully the I'M
mediate successor TO the ksIiphste.
Upon the death Of Hussein Zone Of the
two sous OF Alb. the Persians founded
their great religious festival, which occurs
II. and takes It's name from, the month OF
Moharem. 10 the Mohsmmedan year. Not
only in their own country, but even IN
Cous,antinople, they celebrate the day
with a grief apparently az fresh and pig
nant as il the tragedy had occurred but
yesterday.
We passed the entrance. and found the
court packed. In the midst Of throng
were two furled banners, behind which
stood horse covered with rich Persian
shawls. Two long lines Of men were
drawn up facing each other at distance
Of twelve feet apsrt IN a space which was
readily kept clear for them.
There were about 200, all with bare
shsven heads, their dress mainly white
garment extending from the neck-before
and behin1-iowD IN the hips.
The Consul welcomed and gave Us
chsirs, and We sat down until the ceremo-
mes should commence Ropes were
drawn In front OF us TO deape the line Of
march, snd at the same time to keep the
mob away from us. q strong guard OF SOL
diers with fxed bayone.s standing IN the
ring.
At intervals of about thirty feet al
along tue route OF the procession standards
were fixed III the ground, supporting at
height of five or six feet large receptacies
OF open iron work filed and heaped with
wood to furnish light for the occasion.
Men went around lighting the fsmbeaux
of which l have spoken. They blszed
high and brightly. making 1t very easy to
see with q good deal OF distIlctness what
was going on in the court
Almost Immediately after they had been
lighted we heard the sound OF what we
knew to be thr procession on Its way. a.
frst IL was chant that We heard, with
sound as Of bare feet On the pavement
keeping time to the rhythm; then vo'ce
would rise above the others, yet fine, clear,
and pure In tore, and, as 1t scared up the
other voices husbed, as did the music and
othe- sounds around II.
II was the recital in Eaatern song Of the
harro wing story they commemorate, and
sung by one whose sole profession is to
touch the hearts of the lIs.eneIa The
voice was beautifully musical, and II
thrilled and qua7ered through the peculiar
melody, while the dead silence around tss-
titled to Its effects on the people.
When il ceased a great shout arose as
of some name or names uttered by all. and
then the chanting and marching were re-
sumed.
Ii seemed long time for them to come
to d int nesr enough for u. to see them
When they did core, we saw q st the two
banuers. then several men, naked to the
waist, and each thrashing his own hack
with a branch Of chains, which ne welded
with all bis might.
After them came horse richly dScked
aud bearing a little glrl of some three or
| tour wears. absolutely swathed from mead
tn foot IN black. Back bands partly coa-
cealed her fair little rsce. and with her
hands. which were free, she was throwing
sshes over her hesd-
She was followed by long procession
OF men beating their bare breasts with their
palms. some violently, and all grosrinG,
4 IN - bra
ment.
So they moved past us very slowly, only
few inches st time, and we could see
that the regular beat, as OF trsmping feet,
we tad heard al a distance, was really
alone this body OF men pounding their
chests.
Three times the procession moved be-
fore us In the same order, and with the
same characteristics q, at first, though
more rapidly, and seemingly with In
creased numbers.
At the fourth circuit OF the khan, follow
ink the men with CHAINS. whose backs
looked black where they had been beaten,
but who were working with the same en- =
ergy as before, were three horses. TIE
white trapplngs of the frsf were spunkled
with blood. Upon ITS saddle stool two
white doves. whose plumage was dsbbled
with blood, and upon the pummel o: the
saddle were fastened two short. curved,
naked swords. The second also had
bloody trspplngs, which was stuck full OF
| long feathers, made to represent arrows.
Then came the horse bearing the httre
girl.
But after the bresst-beaters who fol-
lowed we could at nrst see q CLEAN of
white. and now and then the glitter OF
steel; and when they came near 400 men,
with swords, and clad as notet at 1rst,
the white almost covered with blood,
which flowed freely from their heads, the
swords braudisned and bloody, the men
bowling liFe demons Each nlutched with
his left hand the girdle of his companion,
while he'used the sword in mis- hand to
hack awsv at his own head.
Then the beings who had ~ terribly
mutilsted themselves began to cross the
} darkened court, thei- heads bound up IN
the once white garments they had worn
and their faces covered with the gore thai
had dried upon them.
Some OF them could not walk alone,
aud had TO be supported on each side; bu
most OF them clung to their swords as II
they could not trust them out of'theil
hands for moment even.
After one OF them had left his weapoI
, Ia the hands OF another friend and ha'
gone away, We approached and asked hin
7 If he would sell II.
NO. he ssid, 81 will no. sell II
The sword has become sacred with bloo
of believer; if you want swords, bu
> them in the bszsrs."
/, The Clyde is 81 miles long, drain
an area of 945 square miles, and dis