Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-03-05
EXPERIENCE IN A HAREM.
How DR.. Warren Came Near Causing q
Divorce by Els Politeness. ~

l ASAA-A AAASAAS@s W. AAN 40 AA~AAOAlAAs
How DR.. Warren Came Near Causing 4
Divorce bY Els Politeness. ~
DR.. Edward Warren, of Baltimore,
in his forthcoming book. "A Doctors
Experiences in Three Continents, ''gives
the following amusing account OF his
professional visits to a. harem in
Egypt, and the jealousy caused by his
politeness to fair patient.
came near being the cause of a d.
vorce on one occasion, by simply do
ing that which I considered to be de-
manded by thelaws of common polite
ness. l was sent for by an old Bey OF
wealth and influence to visit the
youngest of his four wives-a hazel
eyed, voluptuous looking Circassian-
who was suffering from stomatites,
produced by the use of henna, SUBJ
stance in common use among the
women OF Egypt for the staining of
their nails, teeth, the soles OF their
feet, etc. found her seated upon a
divan, covered with q habarrah, and
as q special privilege, was permitted
to introduce my hand beneath it's
folds to feel her gums. Prescribing to
the best OF my ability, under these dis
advantageous circumstances, | prom
ised to return in a few days and bow
ed myself out of the apartment.
On my second visit, by some acct
dent I left my dEagoman at home,
and found, on my arrival at the Bey's
residence, that it's master was absent.
The eunuch received me gracicusly,
however, and conducted me to the
apartment of his mistress, where I
found the patient awaiting me. The
fair invalid was unusually complais-
ant, expressing much pleasure at my
visit, chatting gayly about her mala-
dy, and gradually removing her veil
until she had uncovered her entire
face, which I Thought perfectly right,
as her mother was present, and as it
enabled me to examine her gums, and
to make a. proper application to
them. She then ordered coffee and
cigarettes, which I accepted in the
best Arabic that I could master, and
made myself as agreeable as possible,
thong h not getting beyond a fewcom-
monplace expressions taken from the
phrase-book.
l was delighted with the manner in
which had been entertained, and I
departed, rejoicing in the conviction
that I had made a good impression
upon the invalid, and had secured the
family en- permanence as friends and
patrons.
At an early hour on the succeeding
morning | received a message from
the Bey to the effect that his vile had
gone TO the country for a change of
air, and the sum Of fifty francs in re-
turn for my professional services.
Assured at once that something was
wrong, | sent Achmed around to pre-
sent my compliments and to ascer-
tain the difficulty. He soon returned,
looking as pale as a ghost, and fright
ened nearly out of his wits.
ooh, DOCTOR" he exclaimed, as he
entered my office, "the Bey is terribly
angry with you. He is going to visit
the khedive to complain that you
have insulted him, and to ask for re-
dress. He says that you shall be
driven out of the country for the great
outrage that you have pel'petrated in
his house on yesterday You are in
serious trouble. am so sorry that
was not with YOU
IL was as polite and respectful as
possible on yesterday. I conducted
myself as gentleman and q physician
in every way. OF what does the old
fool complaint"
Gle says that you have violated the
Mohammedan law-that you have of.
fered an insult to the religion and the
customs Of the country, and he swears
by the beard of the Prophet that you
shall be punished for it. He has al
ready punished his wife,
Furnished his wife? What does it
all mean?'
ellis wife uncovered herself before
you, did she not?"
eyes, but had nothing to do with
her uncovering herself. She did it Of
her own volition. What have done I
should like to know"
"You looked at her face; you saw
her mouth and the back of her head"
"Of course, but how could ] 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 Twas sent for
to treat?'
eyes, doctor, according to the Mo-
hammedan law it was crime to look
at them, and especially at her mouth
and head. You have defled her
by gazing at them, and have placed
your life even at the mercy of her hus-
band"
"A crime to look at her face! De-
filed by seeing her mouth aud head!
What was to do when she uncov-
cred herself and exposed them to my
view?"
1T 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.
That is what our law and customs de-
mand under such circumstances; and
it is for not doing that precise thing
the old man is going to report you to
his highness"
"Well, let him report as soon as he
pleases. His highness has lived in
Christian countries, and he knows that
to turn ones back on lady is offense
that no gentleman would think of
committing. l am not in the least
alarmed. But you say he has punish
ed his wife. What has he done to
her?"
"Oh, yes, he has punished her.
heard both her and her mother wall
ing, and the eunuch told. me that the
Bey had said to her: 4 divorce you,
twice, and had ordered her to her
country place on probation for six
months, when he would decide wheth-
er or not to make the divorce abso-
lutte, repeating it the third time.
Nothing but the prayers other mother
has prevented him from divorcing her
at once and absolutely.'