Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-11-10
AROUND THE WORLD.
Experiences of an American Bicyclist-
Through the sivas vaIayet.

Experiences OF an American Bicyclist-
Through the sivas vaiayet.
Soon after leaving Koehne my atten-
tion is attracted by small cluster of
civilized-looking tents, pitched ON the
bank Of running stream near the road,
and from whence issues the joyous
sounds Of mirth and music. The road
continues ridable, and l am wheeling
leisurely along. hesitating about whether
to go and investigate or not, when q
number of persons, in holiday attire,
present themselves outside the tents, and
by shouting and gesturing, invite me to
pay them visit. 1t turns out to he
reunion Of the Yuzgat branch of the
Pampasian- Pamparsan family-an Ar
menian name. whose representatives in
Armenia and Anatolia, it appears, cor
respond in comparative numerical i'm
portance to the great and illustrious
Smiths in the United States, and follow
ing-doubtless, more properly, setting
worthy example. They likewise have
their periodical reunions, where they
eat, drink, spin yarns, sing and twang
the tuneful Tyre in frolicsome conscious
ness of always having bowling major
ity over their less prolific neighbors.
Refreshments in abundance are ten
dered, and the usual pantomimic ex-
plantations exchanged between us; some
of the men have been honoring the joy
full occasion by liberal patronage of
the flowing bowl, and are already
mildly hilarious; stringed instruments
are twanged by the musical members
of the great family, while several others,
misinterpreting the inspiration of raki
punch for terpsichorean talent are pranc-
ing wildly about the tent. Middle
aged matrons are here in plenty, house
wifely persons finding their chief enjoy
ment in catering to the gastronomic
pleasures of others; while a score or
two of blooming maidens stand coyly
aloof, watching the festive merry-mak-
ings Of men; their heads and necks are
respondent with bands and necklaces Of
gold coins; it still being a custom of
the east to let the female members of a
family wear the surplus wealth about
them in the shape of gold ornaments
and jewels, a custom resulting from the
absence of safe investments and the
instability of national affairs.
Yuzgat enjoys among neighboring
cities reputation for beautiful women,
and this auspicious occasion gives me an
excellent opportunity for drawing my
own conclusions; it is not fair, perhaps.
to pass judgment on Yuzgat's preten-
sions by the damsels of one family, but
still they ought to he at least fair av-
erage. They have beautiful large black
eyes, and usually a luxurient head of
hair; but their faces are, on the whole,
babyish and expressionless. The Yuzgat
maiden of sweet 10 is a coy, baby
ish creature, possessed Of a certain doll
like prettiness, but at 20 she
is rapidly fading flower, and at 30
is already beginning to get wrinkled and
old. Happening to fall in with this fes-
tive gathering this morning is quite
gratifying and enliveLing surprise; be-
side the music and dancing and a sub
stantial breakfast of chicken, boiled
mutton and rice pillau, it gives an op-
portunity of witnessing an American
family reunion under primitive condi.
tons.
Watching over this peaceful and gam
boiling flock of Armenian lambkins is a
one Circassian watch dog; he is of a
warlike appearance; and al
though wearing no arms-except cav
airy sword, shorter broad sword, a
1ragoon revolver, a two-foot horse pistol
and double barrelled shotgun slung at
mis- back-the Armenians seemed to feel
perfectly safe under his protection. They
probably don't require any such pro-
lection really; they are nevertheless wise
n employing Circassian to guard
hem, if nothing else, for the sake Of
freeing their own unwarlike minds of
all disquieting apprehensions, and enjoy
ing their family reunion in the calm at
of perfect security; some law
less party passing along the road might
drop in and abuse their
or partaking too freely Of
raki, make themselves obnoxious, were
they unprotected; but with one Circas-
sian patrolling the camp, they are
ioubly sure against anything of the
Kind -0ufinp