The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-16

/~ >NAkHZ0
"You Are Wise as Well as Great"
Baraka Said.
cornfield. His eyes are bright as an
eagles, but blue as sapphires. He is
much taller and bigger and stronger
that you are. Do you not see why l
want him for husband? Why did
he not desire me for his wife? Am l
crooked, am l blinded. by the small
pox, or have l six fingers on both
hands and hump on my shoulder
like the Witch of Altai? Was my por.
ton cotton shift, one brass bangle
and horn comb for my hair? l gave
him the riches Of the world to take
me, and he would not! l do not I'm.
derstand Am l an evil sight in
mans eyes? Tell me the truth, for
you are friend!"
you are good to see," Logotheti
answered, stopping and pretending to
examine her face critically as she
stood and faced him.
Il do not desire you to speak for
yourself" returned Baraka. Il wish
ySo W oPCoh III 0ay SluCc i kO
about unveiled and any man may see
me. What would they say in the
street If they saw me now, as a wom-
an? That is what must know, for he
is Frank and he will judge me as
the Franks Judge when he sees me!
What will he say?"
Shall l speak as a Frank? Or as
they speak in Constantinople?
Speak as he would speak, 1 pray.
But speak the truth"
Il take Allah to witness that speak
the truth" Logotheti answered. III
l had never seen you, and if l were
walking in the Great Garden in Lon
don and met you by the bank of the
river, l should say that you were the
prettiest dark girl in England, but
that l should like to see you in
beautiful Feringhi hat and the best
frock that could be made in Paris"
Baraka's face was troubled, and she
looked into his eyes anxiously.
Il understand" she said. Before
meet him | must have more clothes,
many beautiful new dresses. 1t was
as man, after l had learned for 1t
was always the same-the difference
was three buttons-or four buttons. or
high hat or little hat; not much
Also the Feringhi men button their
garments as the Mussulmans do, the
left over the right, but l often see
their women's coats buttoned like a
ird d., -.
women another religion than the
men? 1t is very strange."
Logotheti laughed, for he had really
never noticed the rather singular fact
which had struck the born Asiatic at
once.
But this woman's dressing is very
difficult to learn" Baraka went on,
leaning back upon the rail with both
elbows, and sticking out her little
white shoes close together without
the girl Maggy whom you have found
for me-but her real name is Gula.
and she is good Mussulman-without
her, Allah knows what | should do,
| could not put on these things for
myself; alone, cannot take them off.
w hCi L was iihc HAL, buttons.
| Two, three. four, twenty-what did it
| matter? All the same way and soon
done! But now, | cannot tell what |
| am made Of Allah knows and sees
what | am made of. Hooks, eyes,
strings. little bits one way, little bits
the other way, like the rigging of
ships-those Turkish ships with many
small sails that go up the Bosphorus
/ you remember? And it is all behind
as If one had no 'front.' Gula knows
how it is done. But If l were alone
without her help, Allah is my witness
would tie the things all round me
| decently and sit very still for fear
they should come off! That is what
should do"
The Greek thought her extremely
amusing She punctuated her expla
nations with small gestures indicative
of her ignorance and helplessness.
You will soon grow used to it," h,
said But you must get some prett!
things in Paris before you go to NEE
the man. 1t would also he better 4
let your hair grow long before meeting
him. for it is hard to wear the hats o
the Feringhi ladies without hair"
Il cannot wait SO long as that. Onl,