The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-06
THE SLIPPERS


The day was declining, and the last rays
OF the sun tinted into a golden hue the
crosses of the churches and the c.escents
OF the Turkish houses o. prayer in Sc
rayev.
A dervish was walking; along a poorly
paved, broad street, towards the Turkish
Guilty, and looked fatigued He paused at
the gate OF an ancient, rartly destroyed
wall OF a fortress. There he leaned on his
staff and wiped with the corner o. his
cloak the perspiration from his weather
beaten brow, and surveyed the surround
ing hills. Then he threw his staff 10 the
ground. and clasping his hands in prayer
fixed his eyes at the azure sky, and blur
INJURED: "Oh, Allah! Great, Almighty
God, I, Mechmed Abu-Djemali. offer to
thee a prayer. Thou has charged me with
the sacred duty of collecting aims in thy
name. Turn thy eyes unto me today, thy
faithful servant. All / ask of thee is to
sharpen my mind that it might devise
come means whereby 10 fill my purse.
Now. with trust in thee, enter the gold
en- Bosna-Carai'
MeShmed lifted his staff. and descended
the hin towards the narrow street OF one
story houses which seemed to drown in
verdure Casting a glance on all sides,
he noticed an open gate, leading into
garden beside one of the largest houses.
Suffering from hunger, and especially
from thirst, he walked into the garden
in the hope of finding a well. In the
arIc IA a wit
Ifpe fruit Calmly, as Il he were on his
own ground, he advanced TO the tree,
and tearing off handful of peaches.
started Just as calmly in search of a spot
where he could eat them nndisturbed. He
soon found such place in an arbor. and
stretched himself comfortably on the
bench.
Night was closing in. A light. fragrant
breeze swept over the trees and the BUSH
es. and when the palefaced moon peeped
out from the clouds a nightingale burst
into song near the dervish.
Suddenly the sound of approaching steps
was heard, and a young. richly dressed
Turk came out cautiously from behind
tree and fixed his eyes at the windows of
the house.
The deTvish looked at the newcomer at
tentively. and muttered, with a smile
"Ashiklik''
'Ashiklik'' is a deeply rooted custom
among the Mahometans of Bosnia, which
permits young girls TO meet their admir-
ers for a few minutes on Fridays and
Mondays The acquaintances between the
youths and the maidens begin when they
go about with their faces uncovered
that is. when they are from thirteen to
sixteen years Of age.
The dervish was not mistaken thinking
that he would involuntarily be witness
of a lovers meeting. for no sooner had
the young Turk coughed softly than the
door of the balcony opened and voice /
whispered, right over the head of the /
dervish:
"Osman?"
.'Asira. my beautiful rose" replied the /
young Turk, your Osman is here; come /
down
Directly" said the girl. Although I /
should not
why not?"
You'll find it out directly. Wait a min /
ute III just take OFF my slippers so as
20 make no noise on the staircase"
Saying this. Asira hastily removed her
wooden. heavy soled sandals, and leaving
them on the balcony, noiselessly ran
down the stairs
oh Osman." said the girl plaintively,
81 have brought you bad news"
What is it,
You know that Chadji Keragovich,
your father, being widower. was about
TO marry my aunt Subra, who lives with
us My father consented to the mar
riage. and the wedding was to take
place next month But this afternoon
your father came TO us and said that he
had heard SO much of my beauty. and
that he resolved to marry me instead of
subra."
'.You?" exclaimed osman, frightened.
my father"
unfortunately. it IS true Aunt Subra
Is in despair. and my misery-I cannot
find words 10 express it. My dearest,
advise me- teach me; what am I TO do?'
TN speak 10 my father" said the
young man resolutely. Perhaps he will
change his mind when he learns that
loved you before
Wait" the girl interrupted him. Il
hear a noise in the house. Father and
mother will be angry il they find me here
with you after l have been promised to
another
i hear no noise" said Osman. But let
US rather go in the shade Of that tree.
Ne one viii see us there"
The dervish listened attentively to the
OF the lovers. Now that they
has stepped aside and only their distant
reached his ears. he stealth
fly moved the bench over to the balcony
~ 49,, hIoS tbn eIiDr.rs Grow, ,--h;rb Al,
ira had removed from her feet.
All. Allah" he muttered. Kind and
merciful one, thank thee humhly, Thou
hast brought me hither and has iilumin-
Rted nay mind
The dervish examined the slippers care
fully for some time then he thrust them
into the inside pocket or his cloak. took
his staT and slipped out noiselessly I
through the garden gate into the street.
The dervish. after several inquiries,
reached the house where Chadpi Keraso-
vich lived.
May Allah bless this house" said
Mechmed. as he entered the dark vesti- (
bule. /
May Allah bless YOU" replied voice (
from the adjoining room. Whoever you I
are. come in. my guest
Mechmed opened the door and walked
n. On 8 divan. near the windows. sat I
smoking cigarette. lie was !
! solidly built man of about fifty. with !
= large black beard. When the dervish ,
entered. Karegovich rose and advanced
two steps
i welcome you. holy man. under my !
-cof, You are covered with dust. re /