Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-10-08
A COMMENTED WOMAN.


Unlike their Western sisters, the
Turkish women, as a rule, have no
desire to take part in the affairs OF
the world outside their own family
circle. The American idea of happl.
ness and work away from home Is as
foreign to them as their system is to
Americans. In a book entitled 'Ha-
remilk," "Demetra Naka' describes an
Interview with an old friend OF hers
whom she had not seen for many
years. III found her friend working
at al easel.
"Welcome," she said, after kissing
me on both cheeks.
DO you p~aint?' l asked, going to-
ward the easel, Disgusting my surprise
at meeting with such disregard Of
Mussulman customs in this ORTHODOX
household.
mo, not painting, just playing. 1t
is only an impression. not a r%eproduc-
ton, OF one of Allah's realities"
"How very beautiful" l exclaimed.
You are an artist"
Pray" she protested, a little fright
ened, l thought, pray do not say such
things! I am not an artist. I only
play with colors."
Let me see some of your playing"
I persisted.
Rather reluctantly, although wish
ing to comply with her guests de-
sires, she brought out a large port
folio. containing several pastels and
w~ater-colors, and we sat down on a
rug to examine them.
The more I looked at her work, the
more enthusiastic I grew. You must
be very talented l said, turning to
her. 1T is a pity that you canno
go abroad to study"
But L have studied many years
here"
That is all very WELL" I said, still
busy looking at her pictures; Gust the
same, you ought to go to Paris to
study"
"What for?" she asked.
Because I think you have a great
deal of talent which is wasted here"
But why do you wish me to go to
Paris?" she asked again.
Il don't know" l said, except that
Paris is nearer Turkey than any other
great center, and | feel that you ought
to have he advantage of being where
you could get all the help possible"
What for?" she inquired.
Because" I answered, lamely.
when a person has talent she gener.
ally goes to Paris or to some other
great artistic CENTER
What for?" again insisted the ques-
toner.
IF you were free to go, you could
see masterpieces, you could study va
rlous methods of painting. and II 1t
were in you, you might become great
in turn"
"What for?" was the calm inquiry.
"Well," I said, quietly, although I
was irritated, "if you had a great tai
ent, and became very famous, you
would not only have all the money
you wanted, but glory and admira-
ton"
What for?" she repeated, with in
human m%onotony.
Because then you could go all over
the world, and see everything that
is to be seen. and meet all sorts Of
interesting people"
What for?"
"Hanoum %doudou." I cried, lapsing
into the Turkish | had spoken as a
child, ARE o trying to make a fool
Of me, Or"
She put her palms forward on the
floor, n then her head went down
and she laughed immoderately. I
laughed, too, considerably relieved to
have lone with her what for's."
Happiness" she said, is not &C
quired from satisfied desires. Allan
kerim God only can explain it). But
1t comes not from what we possess,
but from what we let others possess;
and no amount OF fame would have
made me leave my home and go
among alien people to learn their ways
of doing something which take great
pleasure in doing my own way"
Then she kissed me twice on the
cheek and put me down by her.