Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1901-09-26

Lie lOur VlcClIlS were gagged, thrown
into bags, placed with other merchan-
disc upon a wagon and driven off at a
rapid pace. Upon reaching the high
walled courtyard Of the Armenians
house, the prisoners We're released from
the bags and led into the presence Of
Sahag and his wife.
My dear little friends" said Varvasa
to the girls, who stood in fear and
trembling before her, "a great happi-
ness awaits you. You will soon be
surrounded by luxury and riches, but
you cannot accept this good fortune
until you have passed through a novi-
tiate. will take the trouble Of teach
ing you the art of pleasing your future
master and of being able to keep his
affections.
and YOU" she continued in an iron
zeal tone, turning to Naome, 'the first
things that you must learn will be ODE
dience and submission, so let me give
you some good advice. Resign yourself
to your fate. You will find an excel
lent master in Sahag, but if you are
refractory
''Ah, in that case" added the Ar
menian. who had just entered, 81 know
of certain means which have proved
ehcacious on other occasions"
So saying, he seized large whip and
made it whistle through the air with
such force that his pretty wife broke
out into loud, brutal laugh.
The prisoner made no reply, lowered
his head and yielded himself to their
mercy.
Sahag employed him at various work
in the house and gardens, Naome prov
ing himself capable and willing. In a
months time the Armenian was suf1i-
GENTLY well satisfied with his docility
to offer him for sale to a rich widow
who was DESTROYS of purchasing a
slave.
Naome cast timid glance upon his
possible owner. She was a graceful,
slender woman Of medium height, en-.
veloped In a blue cloak embroidered in
gold, and he noticed, in spite Of hes
thick veil, that the dark eyes examined
him attentively. II am Offering you a
perfect jewel" said Sahag, touching
Naome upon the shoulder; young,
strong, intelligent, good tempered and
of excellent family. You will find him
perfection. Zamira Ben Oporto, and /
warrant you would much prefer having
such face as that before you than
that of q repulsive negro"
Zamira made no reply, contenting
herself by making careful examlna-
ton OF the merchandise offered. She
inspected his teeth, his muscles. his
arms. very much as she would have ex-
amined young horse in which she did
not propose being deceived, and finally
giving him two vigorous blows upon
the chest she nodded acquiescently and
began bargaining with Sahag. The
discussion consumed considerable time,
but at last the price was agreed upon,
the widow paid for the new slave, and
an hour later he was in her house.
Zamira was the widow Of wealthy
merchant. She carried on an extensive
business with the Indies. dealing in
eastern stuffs = slippers, jewels, pipes
and arms-and her three merchant
ships plying the Black and Mediterra-
mean seas brought her in large in
come.
At first she was annoyed that Naome
understood so little Arabian. She had
wished to employ him as a salesman
, and was obliged instead to place him
among the porters who unloaded the
goods and carried them into the ware
houses. Soon, however, another feeling
awoke in the pretty Widows breast.
She discovered that she was interested
in the new slave; that he pleased her
more day by day; that he intruded up
on her thoughts in spite Of herself, and,
feeling that these emotions were un-
worthy Of her, she grew angry and ex-
asperated against this unconscious en-
envy of her peace.
| And Naome? Once only had the
ample veil hoated back and revealed
the noble, spiritual face, once only had
the heavy Turkish cloak been laid aside
and his eyes had rested for brief mo-