Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-03-30
ayloniha' Column,
SLAVERY IN PERSIA.

Is often distinct red III the cneekS !,
the hair is long, often nearly straight
both males and females have consid-
cradle pretensions to good looks.
As much as ESQ to f100 may be CIV
en- for healthy young Habassia girl.
AS rule, these girls are bought not
as servants but as wives. Young
Habasshis of both sexes are purchas-
ed by the grandees of Persia as
playmates and confidential servants
for their sons and daughters. The
girls becomes the conidantes of their
young mistresses, aud ultimately
occupy the position of housekeepers
or wardrobe-women. The young
Hadasshi boys are the playfellows
and fellow-students of their youthful
masters, often fulfilling the duties of
"whipping boys" l have seen the
little slave and playfellow OF the
Jellal-u-dowleh, the son of the kings
eldest son, child of three, wrest-
ling with his infant master, to the
amusement of his father. The two
children seemed like brothers; and /
was told that the only way of keep
ing the young prince in order was to
threaten the slave with whipping.
That little black boy some day or
other will be a great personage,a s, in
all human probability, his master will
be Shah of Persia. From this class
of slaves are taken the eunuchs (few
nowadays) maintained by the no.
bility.
The few eunuch children imported
are eagerly purchased at double or
treble the price of ordinary slaves.
AS rule the Habasshis are delicate,
and feel the severe winter of central
and northern Persia. The greatest
care is taken of them. They do no
real work, and it is not expected of
them. They are we'll clad, and often
the master OF mistress glories in law
ishing money on the dress of favor
lite slave.
Sometimes the Persian, by a fall
in rank or through money losses, be-
comes unable to keep his slaves.
Does he sell them? No, that would
be too degrading. He simply frees
them, and as rule the slave is made
freedman very much against the
grain. The Persian slave then is
treated more as a child than as a
slave. His master does not hesitate
to mate him with his own daughter
and frequently prepossessing slave
may become the legitimate mistress
of household, or even a favorite
wife, ruling her less fortunate white
rivals. The servants have to take
their chance; the warmest corner
the best food, the most solid anC
stylish clothing are kept for the
slave.
Eunuchs are owned only In thu
houses of the great and rich. Save
the harems of the Shah and his sons
one eunuch only rules over the fiocl
of ladies, servants, slaves and chill
dren, who are all under his absolut
authority. 1 have only known tw'
white eunuchs in long experience il
Persia, and these men had probabl
been political offenders, or the son
of political criminals. Political pre-
tenders are also frequently blinded
for in the far East a blind king can
not reign. The eunuchs general
have their quarters IN the harem
themselves, and as a rule, they Sc
dom quit their precincts. Whe
they do they are treated with gres
respect on account of the powerfl
influence they WELD.
The ladies themselves alway
treat their guardian with the creates
respect, address him as "Master.
and invite him to be seated. Liz
the high officers of state, he carries
long wand of office, and this wand
often incrusted with gems. He ofte
attends the daily council of his ma
ter if he be provincial governor, an
his advice Is listened to with respec
and he takes precedence of all exec
the minister, vice-gOvernor of W
zeer. Of course he plunges his har
into the political pie, much to h
own advantage. He never refuses
bride. He may do nothing for
but his hand is ever open. The Sc
ond eunuch of the heir apparent
Persia is a good horseman, favori
boon companion and a clever she
generally popular as the prince
good fellows. But the eunueh So
ages. He is an old man at fort
and once seen he is never to be IN
taken, his snnken shoulders,
beardless face and his hollow cou
mark him out distinctly.
In Persia, slaves are well fed, W
clothed and we'll treated the peoI
look on them as equals, not inferior
color is degradation they are 4
put to hard labor; the law is t
same practically for them as
others. Mothers are not separat
from their children, or husban
from wives. They soon become a
sorbed by marriage among the p
slams, and | fancy no happier lot
the enslaved black than to be sold
Persia.
The Boy AND THE BEEs.-A b
who had great curiosity to KIN
how beehive was constructed,