The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-14

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 a rose stuck In the crown Of bis
tattered hat
Thirty stops before him trOtted . little
silvery gray mule carrying two baskets
full TO overlooking Of fading roses, and
fastened to the saddle was an enormous
Towering rose bush, whose soft leaves
rlstled caressingly.
The driver whose white hair was In
striking contrast with his youthful, almost
childish face. strobe along with an easy
STEP glancing about indiferently at the
desolate countryside. Once OF twice
at the sight Of the chaTred ruins Of what
had formerly been a prosperous farm,
pile OF smoking timbers from which arose
the dreadful odoF Of burned hesh, the old
man turned away his head and q dark
shadow crossed his bright face.
Still walking at a discreet distance from
his donkey, the peasant had just reached
the summit Of a steep hill when q bullet
whistled by his ear.
The music has struck up for the dance.
he murmured to himself, quite undisturbOd.
"The Turks are going to have q good time
nowl"
But he trembled an Instant and tufn0d
slghtly pale as the rosebush which was
fastened 10 the saddle stirred a. IL by .
sudden wind. Ashower Of petaH fell TO the
ground while a rose. evenly severed from
It's stem, was carried twenty feet.
THE clumsy foolish 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.
Il like that better, he remarked thought
fully, again repeating his enigmatio phrase.
The clumsy foolsl What an omelet It
would make
The Macedonian fastened TO descend the
hill on the other side. A few scattered
shots passed above his head, and the echoes
caught and repeated the report,
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 pattinR his sleek neck.
Come, come, Filiberta, my little white
lamb, be quiet there lie nothing TO make
YOU afraid now. The worst part 10 over.
A little more, and we will be among friends,
the soldiers, o, Lieut.. Achmed. They are
honest people
In fact, after this the firing ceased, but
the traveller was none the less observed
and followed. From time TO time a bead
with a rcd fez emerged from its hidin g place
looked quickly and disappeared.
The Bashi- Ba zoulJs knew the mule driver
with the rose deoked hat for a poor devil,
a grower Of roses and something Of a poet,
an unmstA kably Oriental character with no
other love but his flowers, which were the
finest IN Rio Dagh. Several Of the Turkish
of1osrs, whose commissions he executed,
had taken him under their protection.
Presently a soldier hailed the nOnensive
traveller:
sHullo. there, Filibertal'
The gardener, whose name was doubt
less the same as his donkey's looked about
him.
est OF soldiers.
Where are YOU taking your rosesi'
ITO the camp at Shipka, They are for
the oommRndant there the brave and hand
some Capt. Murad-B Boy, who will give me a
fine Turkish gold piece for my pains
Haven't you anything for me in your
Nothing. child Of the Prophet, red
headed soldier Of the crescent; but perhaps
il will be a different story when / return II
the commandant be merciful 20 his slave
May Allah inspire him, theni'
The mule driver continued on ms way.
the farm Of Gadrovo, stopped by the SEN
tinel AZ the gateway AZ the two talked
together the driver felt In one Of his baskets
and produced a small box, which he handed
20 the guard.
For tha brave Lieut.. Achmed, he said.
Just then the officer himself came around
the corner wearing q long curved sword
which dragged on the ground. He was q
man OF tall stature, with q heavy, cruel
face, true type Of a Turkish eEscutioner.
Have you brought me the eGEai' he
demanded, sharply.
Yes, my IsutenAnt,' replied the Mace