Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-07-27
II. Mule Driver
Of Rilo-Dagh 3
AN INCIDENT OF A BALKAN
RESURRECTION

|
oder of thousands Of roses berne by the
warm winds from the gardens and dis
tilleries Of the Rilo-Dagh, valley al
most as famous for its roses as the wales
of Kezanlik and Iran.
In other years at the same season the
steep, perfumed slopes of the Turkish
Balkans were the scene OF extraordi-
nary animation. Along the numbexless
paths winding in every direction, came
donkeys laden with baskets Of few
ers and looking as If adorned for a fets
of roses. But to-day all the country
side was quiet and deserted.
Ten thousand Turks occupied the
Barenta from Ruo-Dagh as far as the
Shipka passes on the Bulgarian from
tier, and this time 1t seemed as If they
could not fail to capture the famous ban
dit chief Boris Sehkel, who, with his
Macedonian followers, had been COM
pletely surrounded and cut OF in his
mountain retreat.
1t could be only question Of hours at
the most. And in order that not one Of
the band should escape In disguise the
Turkish soldiers had orders to arFest
all travellers, whoever they might be and
journeying for whatever reason.
A man must, indeed, care little for his
life who would run the gamut Of cross
firing from the sentinels in ambush at
each corner of the ravine. Neverthe-
| less there was one traveller brave
enough, for a mule driver had Just ap-
peared on the path which leads to the
Gabrov farm, situated half way up the
mountainSide.
He was a peasant Of simple, peaceful
appearance, dressed In rags and with
bare feet and with a rose stuck in the
crown Of his tattered hat.
Thirty steps before him trotted lit
tie silvsry gray mule carrying two bas-
kets full to OVERLOOKING of fading roses,
and fastened to the saddle was an enor-
nous towering rose bush, whose soft
leaves rustled caressingly.
The driver, whose white hair was In
striking contrast with hiS youthful al
most childish face, strobe along with an
easy step, glancing about fndifferently
at the desolate countryside. Once or
twice at the sight of the eharred ruins
of what had formerly been a prosper
Gus farm, a pile of GnodRg timbers
from which arose the dreadful odor Of
burned flesh, the old man turned away
his head and dark shadow crossed his
bright face.
Still walking at q discreet distance
from his donkey, the peasant had just
reached the summit of steep hill whom
bullet whistled by his ear.
THE music has struck up for the
dance" he murmured to himself, quite
undisturbsd. THE Turks are going to
have good time nOw!"
But he trembled an instant and
turned slightly pale as the rosebush
which was fastened to the saddle
stirred as if by q sudden wind. A
shower Of petals fell to the ground
while a rose, evenly severed from It's
stem, was carried 20 feet
The clumsy foolsI" growled the
driver, but his cheeks were white.
A score of singing pellets Kissed by
him and the dust spraRg up in little
spurts about his feet.
Il like that bettey," he remarked
thoughtfuny, again sePeating his enis-
matte phrase: The clumsy foolSi
What an OmeIet It would make"
The Macedonian FASTENED to de-
scend tho hill on the other side. A
few scattered shots passed above his
head, and the echoes caught and re-
peated the report
The donkey hated, frightened. His
long ears wavsred back and forth and
his delicate legs shook vio4eatly.
The driver ran to him, embracing
him and patting his sleek neck.
Come, coma, Fhberta, nay Ntt>e
white lamb, DO quiet; There Is Moth
ing to make you efraA DOW. The
worst part is over. A little more, and
we will be among friends. the soldiers
Of Lieut.. Achnsed. They are hoaest
people"
In fact after this the firing ceased.
but the traveller was none thu less OBJ
served and followed. From time 10
time a head with red Dcz emerged
rom It's hiding plaza, looked quickly
and disappeared,
The Bashi- Bazouks knew the mule
driver with the rose-decked hat for 9
poor devil, grower of roses and
something of q poet, an enthusiastically
oriental character with no other love
but his flowers, which were the finest
in Rilo-Dagh. Several Of the Turkish
officers, whose commissions he exc
cuted. had taken him under their pro-
lection.
Presently a soldier hailed The inof-
fensive traveller
"Hullo, there, Filbertai"
The gardener, whose name was
doubtless the same as his donkey's
looked about him.
"Good-day, Gulkana, good-morning
bravest of soldiers"
Where are you taking your rosesT
ITO the camp at Shipka. They are
for the commandant there, the brave
and handsome Capt Murad-Bey, who
will give me a fine Turkish gold piece
for my pains.
! Haven't you anything for me IN