The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-18
THE ARKANSAw TRAVELER

diately the intrepid little woman caught up the broken weapon and. yielding 1t right and left, with loud words ot command bade them bcgone They dropped their heads and slunk away like two whipped schoolboys, as thelc Is little use in locking !a: say appeal from her decisions. This prompt but primitive way of settling a quarrel set me to thinking 1t might be well for the good name of this vast empire it its rulers would take souic lessons from so humble source, espc- cially in dealing with the numerous bands of brigands that are. even in this, our day, terror in the land,
 It seems evident that Turkey took a viper to her hryNst when she gave CircssSian refugees foot hold herc, for these people furnish much of the stuff from which the most daring brigands arc made, and who can meas ure the power behind the throne these outlaws command. when 1t k so we'll known that many tair Circas- sian slave has lover whose strength cannot te estimated. Colonel James Baker Is authority for the statement, In a work published about ten years ago. that "the Circassians in European Turkey arc estimated at 200 900, and arc the terror of their ncighbors, whether Turks or Christians. Their depre,iations 70 unchecked through fear of cprisals. Their interest at high quarters, through the introduc- ton of their beautiful girls to the principal harcms of Constantinoplc and elsewhere, Is so great that It is difficult to get convictions against them. They know their own power. and unless stringent measures arc taken to stop further immigration and to enforce the law more strictly over those already colonixed, must provo q great har to progress for many years to come" Thus we sec that even tho scourge oi brigandage Is in a measure supported by the weaker sex.
 But there arc yet moro potent powers behind the throne. The "Nal- idc Sultana," or sultans mother, Is possessed of great influence. She al- ways ranks first in the scragiio. X wing of the palace nearest to that of her son Is set apart for her use. She possesses state apartments. hAs an immense train of slaves, and every mark of respect is shown her, not only bv her son, but by all who would curry favor at court. IL matters lit- He what disposition Turk may man ifest toward his wives and all others who surround him, he Is snid to be al. ways tender and respectful to his mother, for, says he; "l may lose my child, another may Ike born to mo my wife may die, another fills her place. but can have but ono mother" IL k often found by high officers of state that they have reason to dread the h. tcrfercnce of the Val de Sultana more than that of thc sultan himself
 Thus it is plainly to bc seen how uneducatcd, undevcloped women help on the disintc. rating process so plainly to Ike seen in the Turkish om- pirc. What wonder that under the present sSstom we hear much of the vice sia corruption that reIgns In high places. How could it be other wise where virtue Is forever crushed and true womanhood is neither apprc- ciatcd nor desired Still, ii has been my fortune to meet some dignlfled, quiet and cultured Turkish ladies, whole bearing offered a pleasing coii- trast to that If the generality of Mos lem women. If polygamy and slay- cry could be banishcd from this cn- pire what fl change would soon be wrought. Woman. elevated to her proper sphere, would soon exert wholesome influence, and Turkey, ever under Moslem rule, might stand