Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1892-04-05
THE SACRED CARPkT."'
It Covers the Tomb of Mehomet,
the Prophet

that it commands the attention of tho
whole civilized world. This carpet is
not an old carpet, as is generally sup
posed, but a new one Is made every
year for this service, of which I will
tell you Expensive?, Well. rather.
1t takes n whole year to make it, and
when it is finished it stands out IL mar
vel of fine silver, and gold thread
worked into beautiful designs, and tho
whole containing many beautiful
pearls. rubies. and other precious
stones. To, be. sure, these stones arc
preserved from year to year anal placed
on every new carpet, but The body Of
the carpet is now every year. This
new carpet is taken to Mecca, where Is
the ,tolab OF Muhomct, the prophet, and
spread over his grave. where it re-
mains for two months, and is then
brought to Cairo again, where all this
hubbub is kicked'up. j. =
1. wish you might have seen these
Arabs the day this carpet arrived. 'I'1cy
woke me at six o'ciGc,l iii tic InOruiT-.
Daraaing the street in front - -, 10
rel. and they kCpl tI#t y 'rldc mp ali
day long and hIv. hal'P t''p2riG nee.
ODc brass band @fy.r ~sip.iar. followed
by one of the priest vfn rc .,t.a.uicd
the carpet % ni..'. g.. ~ HoN.iIH,r jRul
tiLude, hay B.. %. .i'- i, nN r,,ro2r.
However. 70 g." . ~.,-nai3. ,.r.rI
to tie cit. 80 3 H;: SillcC
been diva. rests and 4
few favor 5@vnryd with
4 seat anne ...tIs. close
by the side g. who re
ceived the. ..r am, and.
t%hercforG, h. ..: - NC whoir
proceedings. Z at the
citadel III ".~ - .vcd. but !
was not Ion -. prOlHrLlI
1T nine o.cIpu.. p. ...Hn"r Oi Ire
aud escort arrive .,..uw and 4
salute OF ten .rE 2. s.. .-..-.U. linen came
the foreign c~n,-.. -,yrlHrcan, French.
british. ctc.--aI& tH"a IrU trouble be-
gan.. There WEI. 90 Thousand Arab
soldiers drawn ~ i'll Inc, and u fine.
manipulating SCI tI,ny were in their
white uniforms and rc,t turbans. Then
there were one h,uIured lancerS on
horseback, with t..cir ,gCrgeous-colored
ting, the .-rtillcry and about three nun
dred Thousand Arabs.
Great Scott, what Il performance they
did have! The carpet came in on n
camel md was put up ia the shape of u
I'Irnmid, only one side left open. Then
@.!lne the priests who accompanied IL
o Mecca. and all of their retainers,
mach on Il camel. They were beating
irums, blowing some hideous wind
Instruments, and to say that camels
and mea were in gorgeous. costumes
scarcely approaches the magnificent.
truth. AS soop az the carpet came al
royal salute of twcuty-one guns was
Bred, the lancerS dismountod, the
soldiers "foll in" and n din commenced
such as | had never heard. Cannons
tiring, bands playing and three hundred
thousand Arabs crazy as could be
mndc something of q row.. All this in
honor OF h prophet. The Arabs
roshed lii mad TO get to touch the
sacrcd piece of silver and gold and
precious stones, firmly believing If they
could but touch it they were not only
snre, of Heaven, but. had received n
sovereign cure for every ill and trouble.
hiot onl:T this, but they believe if they
,%ln only touch the priests robe it IS a
sure cure for alLills, IT. is really pitiful
To see these Arabs when once they get
W. VNoSb phS SdA PS". lucy dJ Once
cover their. faces with their hands,
strike the chest and kiss time uud again
hie hand that touched the carpet. They
"ilu be seen all along tho streets along
N''iah the carpet passes, going through
TINS performance. If one is so fortunate
a. to receive but o small thread, he at
@rc1 incloses it In o ,spaall leather bag.
ICES it around his neck. pud froua, that
tune on he is not only satisfied that he
will iavo all he may desire, but is sure
of everlasting life in the world to come.
| got the chief janissary TO the
american consul to get me q piece OF
this carpet. He'is a MohGmmedan, but
bis long association with. American
oensuls. has, made him. somewhat
Qliristianiaed,. Il was only. however.
afteT repeated promises on. my part
thAt,I would use it a. p matter al
Etdiaalo, THAT he consented 10 give tito