Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-04-18

| body, watersHins, cotfeep0ts, brazen pans
and kettles and many other stuffs and
trumpery were strewn about in hopeless
confusion. Standing by the doors or sit
ting cross legged on palmleaf mats in the
midst of their wares, waiting with heavy
ewes and languid mien for the customers
who never appeared to come, were the mer-
chants. One and all they stared hard at
me, and most of them came into the street
to look after me with muttered guesslngs
and comments. have no doubt there were
muttered curses as well.
To my surprise the orchards and gardens
ran almost continuously into the center OF
the town, and who would was apparently
free to enter. In variety and richness they
surpassed anything had ever seen, and in
deed seemed rather like the concentrated
luxuriance of whole country than the
natural growth of single spot. There
were clumps of feathery date trees, Indian
palms, pomegranates, orange, apple, april
cot, peach and fig trees. Another tree there
was, too, more famous in Arabian song and
story than any Of these-the balm tree.
! Like so much that is good and famous, it
is not beautiful-in fact, it Is ugly and
scragcy, and were the eye the sole judge,
contemptible, but those who know its vir-
tues think little of it's mean appearance.
In striking contrast to the dark olive
foliage were the blazing tropical flowers,
many of them of ineXpressible glory and
brilliancy. But what touched me beyond
ANYTHING else were soma clusters of mag
nifcent roses that flung their fragrance on
the air, unmindful of the general noisome-
ness-at times, indeed, making one forget
il. The sight of that common English
flower, so familiar and so lovely, stirred
the emotions as not all the splendors of the
orient could stir them. 1t was like the
greeting of an old friend in strange land.
In some of the gardens people were draw
ing water from deep wells with leathern
buckets, others scooping it up from slen-
der stone trimmed watercourses. AT sight
of such plenty I began to get hungry and
thirsty again, and so tempting was the
fruit that presently found myself medi-
tating robbery. But at every gate de-
cided to wait till reached the next, and in
this way, thief at heart, an honest man
from fear, went along feasting my eyes
but grievously vexing the stomach, which
protested ever more and more vigorously.
| It is an i'll experience to be famishing
among plenty.
On turning enc Of the many street cor
pers, full of the thought which most en-
cages hungry man, l entered square IN
which was assembled a great crowd. A
glance made it plain that they were holl-
iay makers. In the midst was man wear
Ing over the usual shirt gay particolored
mantel and scarlet vest with wide sleeves
like bishops gown. His head was fan
tastically enfolded in famip : handker-
chief, in the voluminous twi' IS Of which
there were stuck three bobbing peacock
feathers He was seated on camel as gor-
geously caparisoned as himself, and was
shouting and gesticulating with many wild
grimaces, the people responding to his sal
lies of wit and distortions of countenance
with resounding bursts of merriment.
"a professional story teller" said to
myself, and it proved was right.
The fellow seemed master of his business,
for all were eager and excited, save only
the gaunt, sorrowful camel, which was
sunk in gloom no rlirth could brighten.
Perhaps, like Harlequin, it was too familiar
with tests to be much cheered by them.
had not watched the performance more
than a minute when the clown noticed me.
He stared for second in amaZement, but
quickly recovering the professional lnso-
lence he pointed q leering finger at me,
calling upon the assemblage to look at the
rare curiosity that had opportunely ap-
peared for their entertainment. Like one
man they wheeled about and fastened their
eyes upon me.
At this l turned quickly on my heel to
walk off, considering it the safest policy to
get out of the way with as much speed and
as little fuss as possible. But the story
teller hurting a stinging gibe at me about
my courage "a quality would let no man
make jest of with impunity), turned
again and faced the throng, my heart al
ready beginning to bristle in my breast.
There was q moments silence, then the
buffoon on the camel began running COM
mentary on my looks, my dress and spirit,
enlivening his remarks with witticisms
that made very free with my feelings and
sent the listeners (all save one) into convul-
sions of laughter He capped his insults
and jnsolences by inviting his audience to.
step forward and examine me for them
selves
The next minute they had formed a ring
about me, taking care, however, to keep
some distance off, as if might be an ani-
NAL of uncertain temper. But perky
youth, in rich cloak and many coloredI
sashes, eager to set an example in temerity
and make sport for his fellows, ran up and
probed me in the ribswith his riding stick.
1t was wonderful how the old fiery spirit of
retaliation came back onn'e Quicker than
thought Whipped out my pistol and COW
cred the fellows head. He ducked, lodged
and disappeared like magic. Disappointed
at his celerity in getting out of sight, took
aim at the clown. He, too. had an antip-
athy to such target practice, and like
flash was off his camel and hiding among
the crowd. A thrilling pause followed as
the people, fallen silent, stared in wonder at
me, then at one another, then at the camel
standing as saturnine and stupid looking
as ever, quite unconscious of its masters
sudden desertion.
Satisfied with having frightened my mo-
testers AID anxious to prove my pacific in
tentions toward the company in general,
returned the pistol to my belt Seeing this,
the chopfallen story teller sneaked back
for his beast, taking care as he led it off to
keep its body between him and me. The
crowd hesitated moment, as if uncertain
which performer to patronize; then went
trooping after the clown in evident eXpecta-
ton Of further diversion elsewhere. My
impulse was to follow and spoil the fun;
but, remembering the discretion which is
the better part of valor, I turned aside and
went in another direction.
I had not gone hundred yards when
felt a gentle touch on the arm, and looking
round found at my side an elderly Arab of
venerable and benignant aspect. AS my
eyes met his he bowed with cordial grav-
ity and held out his open hand. Glad to
find any one so friendly, also bowed and
laid my open palm in his, waiting for him
to speak.
"1 was in the midst Of the congregation
when the jester derided thee and made the
people laugh" he began in kindly tone.
81 saw thee pull out thy weapon and aim
at the fool who smote thee with his riding
stick, aud trembled for thy safety, for rs