, 1886-10-27

Experiences of an American BicyciIst-
Through the sivs- vaiayet-
Soon alter leaving koehne my atten-
ticn is attracted by a small cluster Of
civilized-lookin1 tents, pitched on the
laink of IA running stream near the road,
and from 'wielcs ISSUES the joyous
sounds Of mirth Inc music. The ruad
continues riiable. an | am wheel ug
lcisurcly along, lesitating about whether
t. gn and Investigate or not. when a.
number of persons. in holiday attire.
present Themselves outside the tents, and
by shouting and gesturing. invite me to
pay them "A visit. 1t turns out to he a.
r union of the Yuzgat branch of the
z mpas an Plmparsan fanily-an Ar
n'enian name,w whose representatives I'M
Armenia and Anatoila. it appears, or
respond in comparative numerical inn
p%'rtance to the great and illustrious
Smiths in the United States, and follow
ug-duubtlesS. more properly. setting
a worthy example. They Likewise have
their periO lical reunions, where they
Fat. drink, spin yarns, sing and twang
The tuneiul Tyre in frolicsome conscious
nrss of always having II bowling ma jor
- ~ wv itR7 IAtt'hhN
Refreshments in abundance are ten
dercd. and the usual pantomimio ex-
plantations exchanged between us; some
IF the men have been h%onoring the joy
tul occasion by a liberal patronage Of
the flowing bowl. and are already
mildly hill arious; stringed instruments
are twanged by the musical members
of the great family. while several others,
n,isinterpreting the Aspiration of raki
punch for terpsichorean talent are pranc-
ing wildly about the tent. Middle
aged malrons are here in plenty, house
~ltely persons finding their chief enjoy
ment in catering to the gastronoinic
pleasures of others; while a score or
,wo of blooming maidens stand coyly
a,oof, watching the festive mrrry-mak-
Ings Of men; their heads and necks are
resplendent with bands and necklaces Of
gold coins; it still being n custom of
he east to let the female members Of a
family wear the surplus wealth about
them in the shape of gold
md jewels. Il custom resulting from the
absence of safe investments and the
instability of national affairs.
Yuzgat enjoys among neighboring
cities a reputation for beautiful women,
and this suspicious occasion gives me an
excellent OH o%Itunity for drawing my
own conclusions; II is not fair. perhaps.
la pass jut gment on Yuzgat's preten-
sions by tine damsels of one family. but
Till they ought to he ut least a lair av-
srage They h We beautiful large black
eyes. nnd usually n luxurient head of
lt.r. I.tf thar f...a 49,. A., H.. .rb,l.
uabyish and N~presslonless. The Yuzgat
maiden of sweet l6 IL a coy. baby
ISL creature. possessed of a certain doll
ike pretliness. but ut 90 she
8 II rapluls fading flower. and at 30
l. already beginning. to get wrinkled and
old. Happening to fall IN with this fes-
tive gathering thus morning is quite a
gratifying and e%niivening surprise: be-
ME the music and dancing and IA sub
stantial breakfast of chicken. boiled
nIutton and rice pillau, it gives an OPP
l%uttunity of witnessing All American
fii",iy Juno under primitive condi-
hons.
Watching over this peaceful and gam
bolng flock OF Armenian lambkins is u
'ot,e C.roas-iun watch Dug; he is OF a
salwart, war.ike appearance; and al
though Wearing no arms--Ncept n cav-
airy sword. a shorter broad sword, d
diugoon revolver, a two-foot horse pistol
and "A double barrelled shotgun sluug at
his back-the Arm.nlAns seemed TO ieel
perfectly safe under his protection. They
probably uont i,quIie amy such pro-
lection really: they hre nevertheless wise
I'm smplOyiur "A CiIcasslan 10 Guard