New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20
A VISIT FROM THE HAREM.
TIrRKISu WOMEN PROVE TO BE HARD
TO ENTERTAIN.
rotre or AN ENGLISH WOMAN WHO RECEIVED
PACHAs WIVES CALL AB-
RUPTLY ENDED.
From Travel.

able-in fact, a modern among the HoiefhS-
and advanced, even His topics were literary
and mildly scientific. | am told that some peo-
pIe cram" these subjects from the reviews Tor
use in society; but If he had only craWnei'
ne had done the work remarkably We'll, for his
knowledge seemed to BE- all his own. no veneer,
but a solid possession. With me he spoke in
French with Bessie in an amusing Gac-Eng-
;ish dialect For both Of US h. found adroi'
compliments. lie referred 10 me as a pro
fcssor" my cousin having told him that ! TAUGHT
in a college. 70 her h. cXf ssed his arc"nt de-
sire that his wives II heard Of them with a
shock considering that the Pacha had h"en TAX
ing with me for an hour-sna.l | siy3-'liko a
Christian" that his wives should Visit her
refined and delightful home.
He spoke Of a home as an interior fair
example Of his Frenchfed English
The visit should take place. madame. when
ever you say you will be visible BE- said.
Bessies face cloudcd. She consulted nor go
Of tablets. murmurng: Nearly AWAY" Iu'Isl-
Bile; engaged each afternoon, receptions Out
mixed like this evening" whenever az home
Thinking to be helpful, I said: could show
the house? Your curics. Bessie; Tax the
ladies up to the Belvederc? You kn"" / haF"
no engagements yet And certainly was
curious 10 make the acquaintance 81 the dcai-
zons # harcm.
Bessie glanced quickly in warning hut too
late. The die was already cast for the Pacht
was in the act Of saying that 'th. ladies VII
come the very next afternoon at > o'clock
What have you Jet yourself in for. laughed
Bessie and her husband when We were alone a
I
friction. the Pacha says
Nothing will induce me 10 share your mis-
| cries" said Bessie; but I'll DO what / can for
your guests. There'N be- coffee for them tnIcc
thick stuff with the grounds left inD and
mountain Of sweets and pipes. or cigarettes II
YOU all prefer Il loathe tobacco in all its formsL
/ and their path will be kept clear OF men.
| was not daunted.
"Why should dread the visit SOP" asked.
Turkish ladies' are difficult to entertain, I'm
told" said my host. Il don't nina making
~
/ Next day as / waited alone. | peepcd from the
I balcony now and then. until at last great
coach came rumbling into the courtyard rms
| carriage hung )and swung upon springs ana
all its blue silk blinds were closely drawn. TWO
/ stalwart Nubians were upon the box seat Tht
/ coach drew up and the footman lifted our mrs,
a little bundle with crimson fez On top, IL
shook itself free on the perron, ana proved 10
be brown faced. monkeyllke. dried up boy
/ Later | learned ne was twelve. But he looked
only a withered seven. The next bundle 10 he
| placed upon the ground was five times as large
| The outline was decidedly queer and might be
described eXtinguisher shape very "lde
/ toward the end. and mounted on two feet AMI
a half OF white cotton stockings. above odd
half French looking, silver buckled SHOES. Inc
outside of the eXtingusher was made OF black
silk The third bundle was a larger EDITION OK
that already described II stood upon pillar IKE
| white stockings and splay feet shod IN elastic
sided boots completely out of shape. Next de-
scended Crcassan girl. who turned out 10 pe
the Interpreter She wore forehead hand WIN
Z
well known rich and picturesque garb Of her
country. Another black eXtngusher followed
/ waited in the large drawing room. as had
been told to do: and heard scufiling. voices ana
| the froufrou of silks from the anteroom Nhen
fully twenty minutes had passed. there entered
a short elderly woman in incongruous french
clothes leading the boy by the hand.
1.-The Pachas principal wife; her son an
nOunced the Circassian in French
Next came a dropsica looking. comparatively
shabby dressed woman. also in kind ot Eu-
] has "a ft
the Circassian.
"The Pacha's bride Of six months" came
quickly after that pretty girl III PINK SIX
robe dtcollete; a Paris bonnet with hIEh
plumes and flowers and "A diamond tiara m
front of the bonnet on the thick hair just above
her forehead
II took some time to seat the party. ~ one
| cared for the armchairs that | drew forward
The Circassian at once popped down on may
| upon the floor. She had large. dark eyes ana
| "A changeful expression. in pleasing contrast t
the chief wife and the second. The elder "3s
grim and defiant. the second wife oIpr'Ssi\'ly
apathetic and ugly. The bride pulled "n ana
off her short pink kid gloves 10 display h'r
rings to me; played with her bracelets ana h't
/ jcwelleG watch. calling attention To- tht la'N
that il licked" and wound from th'
handle Il noticed that il was several hours
behind the timepiece the console tali'l
She patted her dress with her palm. ADJUST i
| her necklace; fdgeted in her armchair. point !
| with her forefingar to objects in the room. ahl
screamed to the Interpreter FOR explanations OK
their uses, etc.
OF course. tried to make my visitors welcome.
! But | did not succeed. Generally speaking. my
conversation did not interest them and some.
times 1t even dspleased as when | spoke ~
meeting the Pacha. Then the first Wli"S ta''
flushed darkly. she won iers foreign lad.'s
speak to men, explained the Circassian The
| girls French was feeble | struggled desperate
/ ~ to say pleasant things through her To my
/ guests but perhaps she failed To- understand. or
| perhaps my efforts were altogether mistaken.
| The conversation dragged frighuully IN any
/ case.
| turned to a beautiful illustrated book.
/ nrDninls Gift from art lowing trlDn uul