Middletown transcript., 1899-08-26
From Travel.

nople NY cousins had party. Bess
} introduced certain Pacha to me, an
/ found him most agreeable-in fact,
modern among the moderns-and &C
vanced, even! His topics were literar
} and mildly scientific. am told ths
J some people "cram" these subject
from the reviews for use IN society
} but il he had only "crammed" he ha
done the work remarkably We'll, for hi
know ledge seemed to be all his own
no veneer, but solid possession. Wit
me he spoke in French, with Bessie il
an amusing Gallic- English dialect
For both of us he found adroit com
pliments. He referred to me as
professor" MY cousin having tolt
him that I taught in college. Tt
her he expressed his ardent desire tina
his wives II heard Of them with {
shock, considering that the Pacha ha6
been talking with me for an hour
shall 1 sayp-"like Christian'0-
that his wives should visit ber refued
and delightful home.
He spoke Of home as an interior, d
a fair example of his Frenchiied
English.
"The visit should take place. mad
anne, whenever you say you will be
visible" lie said.
Bessie's face clouded. She consult
ed her set of tablets, murmuring:
''Nearly always invisible; engaged each
afternoon, receptions (but mixed. like
this EVENING" whenever at home"
Thinking to be helpful, | said:
"Could l show the housBP Your
curios, BessieP Take the ladies up to
the Belvedere? You know l have no
engagements yeL." And 1 certainly
was curious TO make the acquaintance
of the deniZans of harem.
Bessie glanced quickly in warning,
but too late. The die was already Cast,
for he Pacha was IN fine act Of saying
that "the ladies will come the very
mex. afternoon at 3 o'eloek"
"What hAv. you let yourself in fMl"
laughe Bessie and her husband when
we were alone a few minutes later.
"You'Il be bored ID extinction, as The
Pacha says"
"Nuthing will induce me to share
your miseries," said Bessie; ''but Pill
do what can for your guests"
There'll be coffee for them (nice, thick.
stuff, with the grounds left inD and
mountain of sweets and pipes, or cigar
cites, if you all prefer" r loathe to-
bacco in all lis forms), ''and their path
will be kept clear of men,"
| was not daunted.
"Why should | dread the visit SOP"
l asked.
Turkish ladies are difficult to en-,
tertain I'm told," said my host. "I
don't mind making bet that you
won't try it twice."
Next day, as l waited alone, I peep
ed from the balcony now and then,
until at last great coach came rumb-
ling into the courtyard. This carriage
hung land swung) upon G springs, and
all its blue silk blinds were closely
drawn. Two stalwart Nubians were
upon the box seat. The coach drew
up, and the footman lifted out first
little bundle with crimson fez on top.
1t shook itself free on the perron, and
proved to be brown faced, monkey
like, dried up boy. Later 1 learned he
was twelve. But he looked only
withered seven. The next bundle to
be placed upon the ground was five
times az large. The outline was de-
cidedly queer, and might be described
as extinguisher shape, very wide to-
ward the end. and mounted on two
feet and half of white cotton stock
ings, above odd, but French looking,
silver buckled shoes. The outside of
the extinguisher was made of black
silk. The third bundle was larger
edition Of that already described. It
stood upon pillar like white stockings
and splay feet shod in elastic sided
boots, completely out Of shape. Next
descended Circassian girl, who turn
ed out to be the interpreter. She wore
forehead band with coins, and fiow-
ing hair. Her costume was the we'll
known rich and picturesque gsrb of
her country. Another black extin.
guisher followed.
I waited in the large drawing room,
as / had been told to do; and heard
scuff1ing, voices and the froufrou of
silks from the anteroom. When fully
twenty minutes had passed, there en-
tered short elderly woman in incon-
gruous French clothes, leading the boy
by the hand.
"The Pacha's principal wife; her
son." announced the Circassian in
French. -.
Next came dropsical looking, COM
paratively shabbily dressed woman,
also in kind of European attire.
''The Pacha's second wife," said the
Circassian.
"The Pacha's bride of six months"
came quickly after thsi; pretty girl
in pink silk robe decollete; Paris
bonnet, with high pIumes and flowers,
and diamond tiara in front of the
bonnet on the thick hair just above her
forehead.
1t took some time to seat the party.
No one cared for the armchairs that |
drew forward. The Circassian at once
popped dawn on . mat uponthe floor.
She had large, dark eyes and change
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