Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-05
The Gloves of 0mer Pasha.

About fifteen or twenty years since a
young man presented himself at Widdin
and asked for Hussein Pasba, the COM
mandant of that place This young man was
as handsome as woman, and as imposing as
a Gemigod. His complexion was white and
clear, eyes soft and penetrating, and his
form slender and vigorous The Turks,
who are superstituous about ceuntanances.
received him with cordiality and pointed
ont to him tie pasha's dwelling.
Hussein had epcamped before Widdin in
i'll a superb tent. The young unknown
presented himself for an audience Just as
HEssein awoke in a very bad humor.
"Wbat do you want?" asked he. rough
~, Of the importunate solicitor.
go enter the services of your excel
lency.''
Il have too many servants already. Co."
In Turkey, men of the most humble con
dition may offer presents to q great noble
mau without infringing upon customs. The
young lnan drew from his pocket small
package, carefully enyeloped, which he
handed to the pasha, entreating him TO &C
cept it.
What are these P" said the pasta, when
he had opened the package.
'Gloves, your excellency."
And of what use are they? p
when you march in the sun its rays will
not burn your hands, (those of Hussein were
very white,) and when you hold the bride
of your horse your fingers will not be wound
ed by the hardness of the leather.''
''ADd how are these gloves put on?'
The young man put glove on the pasha's
baud. s'Now the other
The young man complied. Hussein clap
pedshis hands three times, and held them
over his head while the officers of his suite
entered and looked wonderingly at the
gloves.
Thanks to these, which were a long time
the admiration of the pasta and his staff,
the unknown ives admitted to the service of
Hussein and became his confidential aid
decamp.
Now this unknown youth was Michael
Hattas, originally from Croatia, formerly
subinspector of bridges and causeways in
Austria at present Omer Pasha, general
in-chief of the Ottoman army. How came
this young man without a country, this fug-
tive without resources, this German turned
Turk to risk his future destiny On pair of
gloves? This history is not less curious
than that Of his audience without Hussein
Pasha
The fourth son of Peter Hattas, poor
and noble Austrian lieutenant, Michael was
in his childhood SO delicate that he lived
only by a prodigy of maternal love. At IS
he was appointed superintendent Of the
bridges and causeways of Carlstadt. At 90
he was nominated sub-inspector at Dalma-
tia. Compromised in q political affair, he
exiled himself, and gained the Turkish
frontier, with a few sequins in his pocket
The first Ottoman village which he ira
versed being Omer- Unas, he took the name
of Omer with the turban, and advanced at
random into the providence of Bosnia
Some wagOners met him, attacked him, rob- |
bed him, took away even his clothes, and
left him almost naked ON the public road
A peasant furnished him with garment
and a little money. He arrived thus at Bou-
jalouka, where he entered the shop of |
merchant as clerk.
Here consolation awaited him, which |
had nearly turned him from the arduous |
paths which led to glory. The merchant |
had a charming daughter. Omer perceived |
it by the beatings of his heart The young
girl on her part, could not see without emo
ton this exile pursued by fate, this brave
and slyiilful engineer reduced to the condi-
ton of a clerk, this white and delicate but
energetic and valiant hand, which trembled
at holding pen instead of sword The
two young people understood each other
without speaking, and the father compre-
hended them in his turn, without needing
their confidence.
Que fine morning he sent to Omer two
one contained a wedding ring
and The inventory of his business, the other
a purse full of gold and a Damascene saber
Omer OWNED the choice which YVES offered
10 him--tne fortune of the merchant and
the hand of his daughter, or departure and
q military life, with the expenses Of the
journey TO the nearest camp.
0ner kept the book and the ring and re- ,
stoeed TO the merchant the saber and purse.
The next day the young people we're af-
danced amid Joyous family festival. But /
On the day after the young girl, overcome {
With happiness, fell i'll TO rise no more. The
ather and lover watched over her eight
lays and nights, and tearfully received her &
asst sigh. Then the merchant, taking the :
.al,ro and the purse, offered them again to +
he young man, saying to him: i
God has willed it! 1t was decreed May I
z ee more faithful to you than bappi- t
time Olncr accepted the arm, and, Il
the icy hand of his dead betrothed,
Is II way toward Widdin. where he be- :