The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-19
A KIRGHIS ESCAMPMENT.
DESCRIPTION OF A TENT AND ITS
SIMPLE FURNITURE.

SIMPLE FURNITURE.
Hospitality Of IL Khirg;s iIost-A Drink
of the rational Beverage-An Artist
Who Didn'; Like Koumiss An Untoward
Incident.
II was evident from the commotion
caused by our approach that the encamp-
ment had not often been visited The
swarthv. half naked children, who had
been playing out on the grass, lied IN
alright 10 the shelter of the tents as they
saw orr tarantas coming toward them
across the steppe; women rushed out to
take a startled look at us and then disap-
peared and even the men, who gathered
in group to meet US, appeared to be sur
prised and little alarmed by our vlsit.
A few words in Kirghis, however, from
our Cossacls driver treasured them, ana
upon the invitation Of all old man IN
red and yellow skull cap, who seemed to
be the patriarch of the band we entered
one Of the kibitkas. 1t was circular
tent about fifteen feet in diameter ana
eight feet high, made by covering dome
shaped framework of smoke b!ackened
poles with large overlapping sheets OF
heavy graz felt. The slightly curved
rafters which formed the roof radiated
like the spokes of wheel from large
wooden ring in the center of the dome,
and were supported around the clrcum.
ference of The tent by skeleton wall Of
wooden lattice work III which there was q
hinged door.
The ring in the center of the dome out
lined the aperture left for the escape OF
smoke and the admission of air, and di'
rcctly under this aperture fire was smoi-
deling on Tie ground inside circle OF Hat
stones, upon which stood few pots, ket
ties and other domestic utensils. The
furniture Of the tent was very scanty, and
consisted Of a narrow, implanted bed
stead. opposite the door. two or three
cheap Russian trunks of wood painted
blue and decorated with strips OF tin, ana
q table about four feet in diameter and
eight inches high, intended evidently 10
be uscd by per sons who habitually squatted
on the ground Upon the table were
few dirty wooden bowls and spoons ana
All antique metal pitcher. while hero and
there, hanging against tho lattice wall,
were buckets Of birch bark. a harness or
two. Il flint lock rife, red, white and
golden saddle Of wood with silver inlaid
stirrup5 and pair Of carpet saddle bags.
The first duty which hospitality requires
Of a kirgAis host is the presentation OF
koumiss to lis guests, and we had no
sooner taken seats on a sheet OF gray felt
beside the ire than one Of the women
went to the koumiss chum--a large,
black. greasy bag Of horse hide hanging
against the lattice wall-w6rked wooden
churH ddshcF up and down IN 1t vigorously
for moment and then poured out OF 1t
into greasy wooden bowl fully quart
of the great national kirghis beverage
for me It did not taste as much like
sour mill, and soda water as ! expected
that it would On the contrary, 1t had
rather a pleasant flavor; and II 1t had been
n little cleaner and cooler it would have
made an agreeable and refreshing drink.
tried to please the old Kirghis patriarch
and to show my appreciation of kirghis
hospitality by drinking the whole bowl.
full, but | underestimated the quantity OF
koumiss that it is necessary TO imbibe
In order to show ones host that one
doesn't dislike it and that one is salts
fed with ones entertainment. had
no sooner finished one quart bowiful
than the old patriarch brought me
another: and when | told him that 4 single
quart was all that | permitted myself to
take at one time. and suggested that he
reserve the second bowlful for my com
radc. Mr.. Frost, he looked so panied and
grieved that in order TO restore his
serenity | had to 60 to the tarantas, get
my banjo and sing There is a Tavern in
the Town Mr.. Frost, meanwhile, had
shirked his duty and his koumiss by pre-
tending that he could not drink and draw
simultaneously, and that he wanted to
make likeness Of the patriarch's 6-year-
old son This seemed to be very adroit
scheme on Mr. Frost's part, but it did not
work as well as he had expected. Nc
sooner had he begun to make the sketch
than the boys mother taking alarm at
the peculiar. searching way III which the
artist looked at his subject, and imagin-
Ing perhaps that her offspring was being
mesmerized paralyzed on bewitched,
swooped down upon the ragged little
urehin. and kissing him passionateiy, a
if she had almost lost him forever, car
ried him away and hid him This unto
ward incident cast such gloom over the
subsequent proceedings that after sing
ing four verses OF Solomon Levi, i'll a
vain attempt to restore public confidence
in Mr.. Iost, put away my banjo and
we took our departure George KEENAN,