The Monticellonian., 1916-05-11
THE DYING TURK
By HENRY SMITH.

Tash-Kishla hospital is not a pretty place at best; and ward 9 was the dreariest and dustiest of all The long dormitory was nearly empty, and tho waving shadows of trees outside float ed quietly to and fro on the grimy walls and the floor. still damp from it's morning cleaning. For 1t was very bright outside. and most of the men were in the courtyard or visiting friends fin the sunnier wards.
 On one dirty bed small group was engrossed in a quiet game of scam. bile" forbidden to soldiers like all card games, but winked at in the hos pital Players and onlookers were si- lent and intent. for the Turk takes life and it's scant pleasures seriously. On another bed a young man whose lined face showed the recent agontes Of tetanus lay dreamily gazing at red rose and singing to himself the refrain of an Anatolian love song. Bed No. 27. too, was occupied by something that stirred uneasily and groaned.
 A the men glanced up from the game a moment. They understood. Then a player snapped down his card and the game resumed.
 No. 27 did not understand why the screen was put around his bed. for the hospital and it's ways were strange to him. Perhaps he did not see it. his eyes stared upward so fixedly.
 Allah! Allah" he murmured soft ly again and again.
 He will die in a few minutes, whis- pered the nurse "Hassan. little wa ter"
 The one-eyed orderly limped on his errand. while she famed the flies away. When the water came she dipped a towel and wiped the sweat drops from the gray forehead.
 "Is there anything we can do?" l asked
 NO. He wants nothing. In a few moments he will die.
 Then a paroxysm of pain seized upon him and shook the wasted frame. His mumbled words were almost inaudible, but one word was repeated over and over again, "rahat" He was praying for peace, for rest. And so he lay long time.
 From the courtyard came song. The soldiers were singing. It was the Silistria march, the song of Young Turkey, the song that Hamid the Red forbade on pain of death lest it's mar tial strains should remind his subjects that they were free 0smanli swing ing song of hope and idealism and de- votion to the Ottoman empire of their hope. As we listened to the alien verse our own pulses beat stronger. But Ibrahim did not hear the refrain, "Feda olsun janumiz.
 ''Feda olsun janumiz." translated the nurse, For our fatherland our souls shall be a sacrifice."
 "Ibrahim. where is your homer
 "Yeni-Shehir. .'
 Are you married?"
 Yes"
 And children?"
 Two, effendtm. boys. One twelve and the other eight" There was e ring of pride in the faint voice.
 "Ibrahim baba. haven't you any other children?"
 "Yes, effendim, but the others are girls
 Can we do anything for you?'
 Nothing
 Would you see hodja?"
 Yes"
 So the priest came-a little pursy man, in a white turban and a pink robe, and a helpless expression. At last he spoke.
 'Ibrahim"
 "Effendim?"
 Have you any money?"
 About fifteen piasters."
 Give it to me I will take care of it for you"
 The dying man raised his eyebrows, the eastern gesture of scornful refusal, and turned his head. The priest walked away muttering.
 For long time Ibrahim lay very still At last he drew his hands from under the blanket and stared at them, closely, duly, for a long time Then he dropped them lifelessly and strange light came into the sunken eyes
 "Ulujem. ulujem." he repeated score of times T shall die, shall die. I shall die"
 Don't be afraid" said the nurse. "it will be all right soon"
 He looked at her repreachfully and answered one strong word. "Korkme- orum" Q'm not afraidl.
 Presently he grew uneasy. No posi-. ton could bring relief Then came de- lirium; and through it all he prayed for peace, Once he softly spoke a womans name.
 He calls to his mother,s whispered the nurse.
 Beyond the screen the card players had become noisy; the one-eyed or. derly tiptoed out and everything was still again. lbrahim was very quiet now; he seemed to sleep. Slower and slower and slower came the gasping breaths. Then suddenly the eyes opened brightly. and
 We pulled the sheet over his face and went away. The boy with the rose was still looking at 1t and hum- ming dreamily. The players were dealing for another game. On tho grimy walls the shadows fioated to and fro inc mOtes dancpd in tho aet ov,,...