Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-11-29

All through the gorge OF the Barenta
hoated a delicious odor, the OdOr OF
thousands of roses borne by the warm
winds from the gardens and distilleries
of Rilo-Dagh, a valley almost 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 Turk
ish Balkans were the scene of eXtraor-
binary animation. Along the numberless
paths, winding in every direction came
donkevs laden with baskets of flowers
and looking as if adorned for fete Of
roses. But today all the countryside was
quiet and deserted.
Ten thousand Turks occupied the
Barenta from RiIo-Dagh as far as the
Shipka passes on the Bulgarian frontier,
and this time it seemed as if they could
not fail to capture the famous bandit
chief Boris Schokol, who, with his Mace
DOMAIN followers, Lad been completely
surrounded and cut off in his mountain
retreat.
It could be only a 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 arrest all
travellers, whoever they might be and
journeying for whatever reason.
A man must, indeed, care little for his
life who would run the ganut of cross
firing from the ccEtirels in ambush at
each correr of the ravine. Nevertheless
there was one traveller brave enough, for
mule driver had just appeared on the
path which leads 80 the Gabrov farm,
situated half way up the mountainside.,
He was peasant of simple, peaceful
appearance. dressed III rags and win
bare feet ana !, Csc stuck in the crown
of Ii, tattered hat
Thirty steps before him trotted a lit
tie slivery gray mule, carrying Two
baskets full to OVERCOMING of fading
roses. and fastened to the saddle was an
enormous 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 indifferently at
the desolate countryside. Once or twice
at the sight of the charred ruins of what
had formerly been a prosperous farm, a
pile of smoking timbers from which arose
the dreadful odor of burned flesh. the old
man turned away his head and a dark
shadow crossed his bright face.
Still walking at discreet distance
from his donkey the peasant had just
reached the summit of a steep hill, when
bullet whistled by his ear
"The music has struck up for the
dance" he murmmed to himself quite
undisturbed. "The Turks are going to
have a good time now!"
But he trembled an instant and turned
slightly pale as the rosebud which was
fastened to the saddle stirred as if by q
sudden wind. A shower of petals fell to
from it's stem, was carried twenty feet
"The clumsy fools!" growled the
driver, but his cheeks were white.
a score of singing pellets Kissed by
him and the dust sprang up in little
spurts about his feet
L like that BETTER" he remarked
thoughtfully, again repeating his eng
matte phrase "The clumsy fools! What
an omelet it would make.''
The Macedonian FASTENED to descend
the hill on the other side A few scat
tered shots passed above his head, and
port.
The donkey halted, frightened. His
long ears wavered back and forth and
his delicate legs shook violently
The driver ran to him, embracing him
and patting his sleek neck.
Come, come, Filiberta, my little white
lamb, be quiet; there is nothing to make
you afraid now The worst part is over
A
friends, the soldiers of Lieut.. Achmed
They are honest people,
In fact, after this the firing ceased
Tut the traveller was none the less OBJ
served and followed. From time to time
head with a red fez emerged from its
/, hiding place, looked quickly and disap-
peared.
The Bashi -Bazoui1s knew the mule
driver with the rose decKed hat for 4
poor devil, a grower of roses and some
thing of poet. IN Enthusiastically Oricn-
tai character with no other love but his
flowers, which were the finest in Rio.
Dagh Several of IT, Turkish officers
whose commission nc executed, hat
taken him under their protection.
Presently soldier hailed the molten
s;ve traveller:
"Hullo, there, Filberta!'
The gardener, whose name was doubt
less the same as his donkey's, looked
about him.
Good day, Gulkana, good morning
bravest of soldiers"
Where are you taking your roses? ?"
''To the camp at Shipka. They are fol-
the commandant there, the brave ant
handsome Capt. MuradBey, who vii
give me fine Turkish gold piece for my
pains"
Haven't you anything for me in YOU
pack ?"
Nothing, child of the prophet, red
headed soldier of the crescent; but per
! haps it will be a different story when
return if the commandment be mercifu
| to his slave"
May Allah inspire him, then!''
The mule driver continued on his way
A kilometer distant he made a halt be
fore the farm of Gadrovo. stopped by tn
sentinel at the gateway. AS the twt
4