The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-11-19
EXPERIENCE IN A HARENI.
How DIR. Warren Came Near Causing a
Divorce by His Politeness.

visits to a harem in Egypt, ard the
jealousy caused by his politeness to a
fair patient:
came near being the cause Of 4
divorce on one occasion. by simply do
ing that which | considered to be de-
manded by the laws OF common polite
ness. l was sent for by an old pey of
wealth and influence to visit the
youngest of MS four wives-a hazel
eyed. voluptuous-looking Circassian-
who was suffering from stomatites,
produced by the use of henna, a sub
stance in common use among the
women of Egypt for the staining of
their nails, teeth, the soles of their
feet, etc. l found her seated upon a
divan, covered with hd6arrdh, and as
a special privilege | was permitted to
introduce my hand beneath its folds
and TO feel her gums. Prescribing to
the best of my ability, under these dis
advantageous circumstances, | prom
ised to return in few days and
bowed myself out of the apartment.
On my second visit, by some acci-
dent, / left my dragoman at home, and
found on my arrival at the Bey's resi-
dence, that its master was absent.
=
ly, however, and conducted me to the
apartment of his mistress, where |
found the patient awaiting me. The
fair invalid was unusually complaisant,
expressing much pleasure at my visit,
chatting gayly about her malady, and
gradually removing her veil until she
had uncovered her entire face. which |
thought perfectly right, as her mother
was present, and as 1t enabled me to
examine her gums, and TO make q
proper application to them. She then
ordered coffee and cigarettes, which L
accepted i'll The best Arabic that |
could master. and made myself as
agreeable rs possible, though not get
ting beyond few commonplace ex-
pressions taken from the phrase book.
| was delighted with the manner in
which | had been entertained, and l
departed, rejoiced in the conviction
that L had made good impression
upon the invalid, and had secured the
family en- ferni0llence as friends and
patrons.
At an early hour on the succeeding
morning | received 4 message from the
Bey 10 the effect that his wife had gone
to the country for Il change of air, and
the sum Of 30 francs in return for my
professional services. Assured at once
ihat something was wrong, | sent
Acbmed around to present my COM
pIlmoatS and TO ascertain the difficulty.
lie soon returned, looking as pale as a
ghost, and frightened nearly out of his
wits.
'Oh, Doctor" he exclaimed, as he
entered my Office, 1.-The Bey is terribly
angry with you. lie is going to visit
the khedive to complain that you have
insulleu HIM anu TO ask for redress.
He says that you shall be driven out of
the country for the great outrage that
you have perpetrated in his house on
yesterday. You are in serious trouble.
ann SO sorry that l was not with
YOU
Il was as polite and respectful as
possible on Yesterday. l conducted
myself as gentleman and a physician
in every way. OF what does the old
tool complain?'
HE Says that you have violated the
Mohammedan law-that you have Of
tered an Insult to the religion and the
customs Of the country, and he swears
by the beard OF the Prophet that you
snail be punished for it. He has al
ready punished his wife"
Punished his wife? What does it
all meanP'
His wife uncovered herself before
you, did she not?'
YES, but | had nothing to do with
her uncorering herself. She did it OF
her own yoiitipn. What have l done,
/ should like 10 know?'
You looked ut her face; you saw
her mouth and the back of her head"
'Oi course. But how couid l help
seeing her face and head when she un-
covered them? As for her mouth, it is
what ] wanted to see. Was there any
crime in seeing what was before my
eyes-in looking at what | was sent
for 10 treat?'
Yes. Doctor, according TO the Mo-
hammedan law, it was a crime to look
at them, and especially at her mouth
and head. You have defiled her by
gazing at them, and have placed your
life even at the mercy of her husband. "
"A crime to look at her face! De-
fled by seeing her mouth and head!
What tGGS ! to do when she uncovered
herself and exposed them to my view?"
''It was your solemn duty to turn
your back upon her and then walk to
the corner OF the room and hold your
face until she had recovered herself.
Jhat is what our law and customs de-
mand under such circumstances; and
it IS for not doing that precise thing
that the old man is angry and is going
10 report you to His Highness."
We'll, let him report as soon as he
plcases. His Highness has lived in
Christian countries. and he knows that
TO turn ones back on lady is an Of
tense that 10 gentleman would think
OF committing. | am not in the least
alarmed. But you say he has pun
ished his wife. What has he done to
her?"
''Oh. yes, he has punished her.
heard both her and her mother wall
lag, and the eunuch told me that the
Bey had said 10 her: 4 divorce YOU,
tUsce, and had ordered her to her
country place on probation for six
months, when he would decide whether
or not to make the divorce absolute,
repeating it the third time. Nothing
but the prayers OF her mother mas pre-
vented him from diyorcing her at once
and absolutely"
Then come with me; / will pay
him visit, and, after having ex-
planned my conduct, having shown
him as & Christian and q gentleman
that / could not turn my pack on a
lady, / will intercede for the poor
woman"
''All right, Your Excellency; think
that Is the cest course to pursue"
/ drove at once to the house of the |
Bey where was met by the eunuch |
with many saiaams, professions of |
friendship, and the assurance that his |
master was not at home. 'Ihat is all |
right. said |, slipping 10-franc piece
Into his itching palm, Il viii await his
RETURN. L was Immediately invited /
into the house, given cup of coffee !
and 4 pipe, ana overwhelmed with |
poiiteness, white the master was pro- |
duced after so brief delay as TO assure |
iae tAat he had been Ut home all the |