Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-01

monotoned by the old priest. They wer
of all ages: fat and lean, smooth-shavel
and bearded; some in rich garments
Others in more sombre and cheape
stuffs.
One face lut itself into my memory
that of handsome. elear-sk nned youns
man, with deep intensee eyes that fairl
famed, and sinewy, graceful BODY. Oh
one of his delicate, lady white hands wa
large turquoise ring. Yapouly whisper
prist, and would succeed his father whel
the old man died
The chant continued, rising in volum,
and intensity, and Nubian in white
| handed each man black scull-cap. The,
they drew tightly over their rerspirIng
heads.
The movement, which had begun will
the slow rolling of their heads, now ex
! tended to their bodies. They writhed
and twisted as if in agony, like a row o.
black capped felons Standing on an in
visible gallows, swinging flom unseer
ropes.
Suddenly there darted out upon the
mats boy scarce ten years of age, spinn.
ing like top in front of the priest, his
| skirts level with MS ndnds.
The chant now broke into wall, the
audience joining in. The howls WERE
| deafening. The twelve were knocking
their heads in wild frenzy, groaning il
long, subdued means, ending in a peculiar
''hough," like the sound of dozen dis
tant locomotives Juggling up step grade.
Allah hou! Allah hou! A liah hou!'
the last word expelled with jerk.
A dozen little children VT re now handle
over the rail to the Nubian, who took them
in his arms and laid them in row, their
faces hattened to the mats. The old
priest advanced within step of the first
child, his lips moving IN prayer.
Yapouly Isaac leaned over and whisper
ed, See! no he will bless them"
raised myself to my feet to see the bet
ter. The old priest balanced himself for Z
moment, stepped firmly upon the frs
child his bare feet sinking into its soft
yielding flesh, and then walked deliber
ateIy across the line of PROSTATE children
As he passed, each little tot raised it
bead, waited until the last child had beer
| trampled; then sprang up, kissed the ole
priests robe, and ran laughing from tn,
room.
The dervishes were now in the las
| stages of exhausted frenzy. The onc'
handsome young priest was CHASTITY. froth
ing at the mouth, only the white of hi
eyes visible, his voice thick, his breath al
most gone The others were dropping
with knees bent, hardly able to stand
Suddenly the priest turned his back
Frustrated himself before the altar. ant
prayed silently. The whirling child, wht
for half an hour had not stopped, sank t.
the floor. The line Of devishes grew still
one by one tottered along the floor, clutch
ed at the hanging curtain, and passed in
to the sunlight.
l forced my way along the closely packed
aisle, and pushed into the open air, i'm
PEELED by wild desire to render some as
sistance. The sight that met my eyt
staggered me. My breath stopped short
In the midst of the court stood the Nubiar
serving coffee, the howlers crowding about
| him, clamorine for cups, and painting fol-
breath like team of athletes in from {
FOOT race. Hooked for my young prizes
with the turquoise ring. He was sitting
On bench, rolling a cigarette, his fac,
wreathed with smiles!-F. Hopkinsol
Smith, IN Harper's Magazine.