The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-14
An Adventure in Bulgaria.

There were three OF uS-a Hungarian
Roumanian, and myself We wer
students at Bucharest but for the mo
ment 1t was vacation time. and We wer'
making a tour in Southern Roumania
near the Danube, 10 pick Up a LITTLE
knowledge of the country
One afternoon We stood on the nortf
bank of the Danube. looking ont acros,
! the broad river 10 the Bulgarian shore
| beyond.
Il have never crossed the river" said
| Carpesco. the Roumanian. Il should Ike
TO see Bulgaria
Why shouldn't we go?' cried Kirai
the Hungarian, who was always a mar
OF impulse. Come along" and he madc
| straight for the shore.
| Well" said l, If kirai is goiag &c
wade across he may go by himself.
don't believe he can swim. and he'll be
out of his depth the moment he leaves
| the shadows. Let's look for boat
| Carpesco was not a youth of enter
prise. and so far from wanting to swim
across he did not even seem anxious 10
go over in q boat although he had been
! the first to express wish TO see Bulgaria.
However, Kirai who had abandoned his
first idea of swimming the Danube, bus
tied about, and before US we unearthed
a peasant who agreed TO ferry US over for
a considera ton.
We embarked in his rickety boat. and
after what seemed an interminable time
for the boat was heavy and the channel
wide, we touched the Bulgarian shore.
We wandered about bit, AID as IL was
late in the afternoon by this tine, we
were all pretty hungry after cur travels.
Presently we met man in sort OF
European dress, but wearing the Bulsa-
rian cap, who stopped and spoke 10 u.s.
Pardon" said he. but your Exce!len-
cies appear to be strangers"
I'VE are we replied, all in a breath.
'Ah!' said he, bowling deeply, 'it is an
evil thing for your lordships 20 be in
this country Of pigs! Your Excellencies
are doubtless traveliing?"
I'VE have come over from the other
side.' said I. land we want food and
lodging for the night; that is all"
The stranger unused little.
Il condole with your Excel'encies,"
said he, II also am civilized; I am IN
HELENE, and know what these Bulgarians
are. 1t is impossible for your lord<hips
10 find accommodation in this village"
But look here" broke in Kira;, I'VE
must have something to eat and roof
TO lie UNDER
The Greek looked distressed and puzzled.
Il will do my best for your Excelien-
cies," said he; then an idea seemed 70
come to him. for he smiled a slow, sad
smile, as if 10 himself, and said:
Il have the misfortune to own d little
property in this wretcned place, which is
not worthy TO receive the visit of your
lordships, and if might venture to place
my house at your ExcellencIes' dispo-
SAL
THE very thing" said /. why didn't
you say so at once? Come along"
Pardon, Excellency," replied the
Greek, lit will be best that we should not
be seen too much together
He disappeared for a time, but soon
came back with large basket on his
arm, and explained that he had taken
the liberty of bringing some food with
Kim 20 save us trouble, and also bottle
OF raki, which though not equal to Euro
pean spirit, was very good.
Our Greek friend showed US into a very
clean and tidy little house, and placed
the basket of food on the floor At first
he refused 10 take anything but thanks
for his services, but after a little press
ing suggested that we should give him
the sum equal TO about go for the food
and lodging.
We spread the things on the floor and
began to eat, when the door was pushed
open and a couple of huge Bulgarian
peasants strobe across the threshold.
Carpesco asked the old man what he
meant by coming into the house, and
the old man Indignantly put the same |
question to u.s. Luckily Chpesco and |
the Bulgarian understood one another, |
and after a protracted argument, con-
Quoted at the top of their voices, Car |
pesco informed us that the house be- |
onged to the old peasant, and that our
kind friend had let us a house that did |
not belong to him, and got 60 out of us |
for a basket of bread and fruit not worth |
as many shillings.
We at once started up TO pursue the |
william, but the Bulgarian informed US |
hat he was a sort of travelling peddler
who had no doubt long since put himself /
we'll out of our reach. However, the old |
nan begged US not to move, and placed |
his house al our disposal. with great
,ivility. We therefore invited him and |
ais son to join US at supper, which they
lid, though, as they were Mahomedans,
hey could not touch the raki.
Kirai, who had constituted himself but
er. opened the bottle and filled our glass
-. We clinked them together, and then
<irai, crying out Good health, ALL" toss
~ OH ndlI MS grass. IN another moment
lie was coughing and suffering the stuff
LII over the floor.
1t was the vilest and cheapest methy-
ated spirit.
There was nothing left for US but to
wrap ourselves in rugs and try TO go to
leep on the floor, contemplating the mel
lncholy fact that we had been most thor
'ughly taken in and swindled by the |
rery first man we came across in Bull
,aria.-From Golden Penny.