The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-13
Our First Experience.

There were three of us-a Hungarian.
Roumanian, and myself. We were stu
dents at Bucharest, but II. was vacation
time and we were making a tour II south
err Roumaria, near the Danube TO pick
up little knowledge Of the country.
One afternoon we stood on the north
bank Of the Danube. looking out across
the broad river TO the Bulgarian shore
beyond.
Il have never crossed the river" said
Carpesco, the Roumanian. Il should like
TO see Bulgaria"
Why shouldn't we go?" cried Kirai. the
Hungarian. who was always man Of
impulse. Come along" and he made
straight for the shore.
Well" said /. IF Karal is going 10
wade across he may go by himself. 1
don't believe ne can swim. and he'll be
out of his depth the moment he leaves
the shadows. Let's look for a boat"
However, KiraI, who had abandoned his
first idea OF swimming the Danube, bus
tied about, and between US we unearthed
a peasant who agreed TO ferry US over for
consideration.
We embarked in his rickety boat, and
after what seemed an interminable time
for the boat was heavy and the chan
shore.
We wandered about a bit, and as it was
late in the afternoon by this time we
were all pretty hungry after our travels.
Presently we met man in sort OF Eu-
ropean dress. but wearing the Bulgarian
cap, who stopped and spoke TO US.
Pardon said he, "but your excellen-
cies appear to be strangers"
I'VE are" we replied, all in breath.
"Ah!" said he, bowling deeply. sit is an
evil thing for your lordships TO be in this
country Of pigs! Your excellencies are
doubtless traveling?"
I'VE have come over from the other
side" said l. "and we want food and
lodging for the night; that is ALL"
81 condole with your excellencies." said
he. II also am civilized; 1 am a Hell
lene, and know what these Bulgarians
are. 1t is impossible for your lordships
to find accommodations in this village
But look here" broke in Kirai, I'VE
must have something to eat and a roof
TO lie UNDER
IT will do my best for your excellen-
cies," said he; then an idea seemed to
come to him, for he smiled a slow, sad
emile, as if to himself, and said:
81 have the misfortune to own a little
property in this wretched place. which Is
not worthy to receive the visit of your
lordships. and if I might venture to place
my house at your excellencies' dis
posal-"
"The thing" said I. "why didn't you
say so at once? Come along"
Pardon. excellency." replied the
Greek, sit will be best that we should
not be seen too much together"
He disappeared for time. but soon
came back with a large basket on his
arm and explained that he had taken the
liberty Of bringing some food with him, to
save us trouble, and also a bottle Of raki,
which, though not equal to European
spirit, was good.
Our Greek friend showed us into a clean
and tidy house, and placed the basket
of food on the floor. At first he refused to
take anything but thanks for his ser
vices, but after a little pressing suggested
that we should give him a sum equal to
about so 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 us. luckily Carpesco and the
Bulgarian understood one another. and
after a protracted argument. conducted
at the top of their voices Carpesco in
formed US that the house belonged to the
old peasant, and that our kind friend had
let US a house that did not belong to him,
and got so out of us for a basket Of
bread and fruit not worth as many shil-
lingS.
We at once started up to pursue the
villain. but the Bulgarian informed US
that he was a, sort of travelling peddler,
who had no doubt long since put himself
we'll out of reach. However the old man
begged us not to move. and placed his
house at our disposal with great civility.
We therefore invited him and his son to
join us at supper, which they did, though
as they were Mohammedans they could
not touch the raki.
Krai. who had constituted himself but
Ter, opened the bottle and filed our glass
es. We clinked them together. and then
IIirai crying out: Good health. ALL"
tossed off half his glass. In another mo-
ment he was coughing and suffering the
stuff all over the floor.
It was the vilest and cheapest methylat-
ed spirit.
There was nothing left for US but TO
wrap ourselves IN rugs and try 10 go to
sleep on the floor, contemplating the mel
ancholy fact that we had been most
thoroughly taken in and swinded by the
first man we came across in Bulgaria
Golden Penny.