Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-30
Persian Ladies and the Doctor.
St James Gazette


The frou- frou of silk is heard Three
ladies enter the room. Their feet and
legs are bare TO the knee, for they
have cast off their shoes at the door !:
but all the rest of them is shrouded in
large sheet of dark blue silk, the
outer veil of the Persian lady. Grace
fully they sink down into heaps in a
semicircle opposite US. IS aloam,
Sahib; you are welcome Tea, tea for
the Sahib!" I respond IN the Gus.
tomary way, and inquire after the
health of my yelled hostesses. One
only replies IN a confident tone-she
is evidently of middle age, and self
possessed; the other two blue heaps
shake with inward mirth, but are
silent. 1T cannot be, it is too hot!"
the lady continues, as she casts Off
her dark-blue envelope-an example
Immediately followed by her compan-
ions. Hearts delight hastily folds up
the three wells, and a plump, middle
aged lady, very comely, and her two
innocent-looking daughters, hand
some young women, fair as any Eng
lish girl, vita round, chubby faces
and magnificent eyes, are disclosed to
view in all the splendor Of the Persian
Iady's indoor dress. The costume
Of all is the same, varying only IN
colors, and these are Of the
gayest; short and yoluminous skirts
of silk, much 6oufee. reaching - the
knee; skirts (the Persian word, like
the French chen1sse: is applied TO the
garment of both sexes) Of transparent
silk gauze; tiny Zouave jackets of
gayly embroidered velvet just cover
ing the shoulders and the top Of the
back (ef these the sleeves are unbut-
toned from the elbow. hanging down
and showing the gay Innings Of pale
colored but brilliant silk; the top of
the head ard the ears are hidden by
gorgeous silk kerchiefs, embroidered
Ia gold, and there is no more clothing
to describe, unless the numerous
bracelets of the bangle form, of gold
and of glass, which jingle as the
ladies move their arms may be called
clothes. The ladies CHAT; the youn-
ger ones only to each other III an un-
dertone, for maiden modesty prevents
their addressing the doctor; but they
giggle and litter q good deal, and are
duly reproved for it by the elder lady.
Tea in delicate old china cups is serv-
ed; we all smoke hubble>bubbles,
and four of them are brought by
Hearts delight ami three other black
female slaves Presently I hear litter
ing behind me, turn, and instantly
there is dead silence as bright cur
tain Of shot-silk quickly falls, but not
HOY oh a q
Of gayly-dressed women and children.
Excuse them, Doctor Sahib; they
are SO dull, SO dull" Conversation
turns upon the curious customs of
Europeans. I am asked if am mar
ried. I have to admit that am not,
and am duly pitied. But then,
"After all, you are right. Where
there is q woman there is discOrd, !"
says my hostess. More tea more pies.
Sweetacakes, confectionery and con
serves are handed; iced sherbet, in
Bohemian glass tumblers, gilt and of
gaudy colors, Is served. | insinuate
something to the effect that this Is
professional visit; my hostess smiles.
[ repeat the remark, and then the
lady, rising to bid farwell, replies,
I'VE were dull; we were bored: you
have desennuye Us. Wallah r'-with
a little laugh have forgotten why
we sent for you. Your footsteps,
however, have been fortunate for eur
hearts are no longer sad" So here
was an end Of my visit We shook
hands heartily, and tie lady gave me
a huge bouquet of narc;ssus as I Left.
AS I rode home through the glaring
streets, I felt all the more clearly that
I had been merely sent for out OF
curiosity. But the handsome little
carpet I afterward received as fee
ceconciled me TO the experience, and
caused me to remember that it is not
in Persia alone tAat ladies summon a
doctor simply because they are bored.
IL