The morning call., 1893-02-13
TWO PERSIAN BOYS.
They Have Come to America to Learn
the Art of Glass-MakiBg.
st. Louis Post Dispatch.

St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Two peculiar characters straved into the
Bethel Home at the foot Of Olive street last
week IN the shape of sturdy and healthy
looking pair Of lads from the land OF the Per-
slams. They told their stories to Chaplain
George w. Cobb. whose sympathies they
succeeded in enlsting, and unless his pres
ent plans turn wrong they will probably be
put In position to attain the object of their
mission to this country.
Post. Dispatch reporter saw them at
the home" Thursday morning and heard
from them the story Of their wanderings
and trials
The names of the young fellows are
Joseph Badel ard Robert Yohanow, the
former of whom is 90 and the latter 81 years
of age. Both of them speak English fairly
well. Babel being the more accomplished Of
tie two.
They hail from Oroomias. Persia, and left
home just six months ago. The town from
which they came is the center OF the mis-
sonary labors of the celebtated DR.. Coch-
ran of California, whom the natives of
OroOmaS and vicinity regard, so Babel
SAYS, as a father to them all. These two
boys were converted 10 Christianity
through his efforts, and learned to read
and speak English in the mission
school established at that place. Being of
ambitious natures they took a notion into
their heads that they would Ike 20 learn
the act II man ufacturing glass, with view
OF introducing it into their own country IS
enc OF its industries. At present all the
glass used by The PeTslanS IS imported from
Russia, and DR.. Cochran told the boys that
by coming to America they could obtain
employment in some glass factory here.
iealn the trade and, re urning TO their own
country, establish factory of their own.
With the hope Of realizing this dream
these boys managed to get together an
amonnf 0f P0iu punqI In G CmafhiTlJ var com
IN our money, and bidding adicu 10 their
parents, families and friends, left their ma
tive town and set out for America.
They first obtained the necessary pass
port, which they still exhibit, and which
presents on its face the appearance of being
more serviceable TO violin player than the
average English or American official.
Babel read 1t in his native tongue to the
reporter. and it sounded like the beating OF
a small drum In a Salvation Army band.
If he does the same thug to the average
consul the chances are he will get through
the country all right.
Armed with this formidable document
these two young seekers after one OF the
lost arts of their country rode seven days
on horseback until they reached the town Of
Zilpa.
There being no railroads in Persia the
natives estimate the distance from one place
TO another by so many days riding When
asked where OTOomias was, ! OhanOW re-
piled. Fifty days on horseback from
Teheran, which was perfectly satisfactory
information.
From the town OF Zilpa they rode seven
days in wagon until they reached Tipis.
From there they went TO Bartoum and
thence by the Black Sea three days and
nights to Odessa. They remained nine
days In Odessa, and going from there to
Amsterdam took a German steamer for
America and landed in New York.
Than RaAal eYpresge1 II sAwa fiufsba6
our money and had to learn how 10 work"
After doing all kinds Of odd jobs they went
to Chicago, where they fell in with young
Persian friend. who is studying in the semi
nary there 10 become missionary among
his own people. Through his influence
they secured employment with farmer at
Sweet Springs, Mo-, who shipped them to
Texas TO work on clearing some land of his
In that section. They were there three
months and were informed by friends that
st. Louis was the proper place for them 10
come to learn the glass making trade. ADd
so the early part OF the week they arrived
here little sore over their past experience,
but still Intent upon accomplishing the OBJ
ject for which they journeyed from home.
&. II. Ten Brock. the secretary of tile
Bethel Home tried 10 get them places at
Crystal City. but there were no vacancies,
and Thursday evening they were 10 meet
the president of the Alton Botting Works,
with prospect of employment there. They
were not so anxious to learn the art of
making bottles, as they are not much used
In Persa-the skin pouches being the proper
fad in that line in the Orient.
They want to know all about making
window glass, and with the perseverance
and determination they have shown, so far,
the proba bilties are that they will vet re-
turn 10 their native land and establish
factory of their own which will! be the pride
aud wonder OF Oroomias.