Meade County news., 1917-01-11

OF Ine WOrlu newest king
dom-that of Arabia
forms the subject of q bulletin issued
by the National Geographic society.
The bulletin is based upon the obser-
vations and experiences of one of the
society's correspondents, who has
spent many years in the near East.
Concerning the Bedouins, the nomadic
class in Arabia whose extensive
camps are scattered over the interior
of the great southwestern peninsula of
Asia, the bulletin says:
OF the Bedouins and the Fellahs
(the settled agricultural class), the
former are the more numerous people
and by far the more interesting. The
Bedouin pities the city dweller because
fate has decreed that he must pass his
days in the confinement of house or
inclOsed city, while the city man con-
graduates himself on his good fortune
in being spared the dangers, incOnvenir
ences and exposures that are the lot
of the tent-dweller.
The life of the latter is an uncer-
tain one. His tent is homemade, spun
and woven by the women of his harem
from goats hair, the accumulation of
many years. This tent cloth is water
proof and a good protection against
the fierce sun of the desert. 1t is very
portable and serves for many genera
tions. Each camp has its chief, part
of whose tent is set apart as a guest
room, in which visitors are entitled to
three days hospitality.
Settles Local Disputes.
The chief gives the order to move
camp and decides on the new pitch |
Local disputes are referred to him for
settlement and in the event of his |
being unable to adjust the matter the |
disputants must go to the capital and |
present their case to the emir. This |
they are slow to do, for it means a |
long Journey and absence from home
for an uncertain time, as we'll as some
amount Of expense. The chief, too, is
responsible for the good behavior of
the people in his district and for the
return of the tax due from the tribe.
The desert which the Bedouin calls
home has to be lived in, crossed, slept
on, made ones abode for a time before
1t can be thoroughly appreciated and
enjoyed. The boasting of the Bedouins
about the free life they enjoy, and
their pity for their city neighbors, con-
lined in their close and dark dwellings,
can be excused after q sojourn in their
tents. But the desert life is not all
money by any means, for is there not
always the danger of attack from the
nothing-to-lose and all-to-gain men,
Ders OF society, or the risk of perishing 1
'or want OF water, or the giving out of
ones food without the possibility of |
Oelng able to replenish the supply?
When travelling through inland Ara 8
Dia the routine of travel is somewhat | {
aruuous' Up with the daybreak and
10 soon as possible load the camels: G
loe 1or some four or five hours; then
)ul down for the first morning meal r
"hlch usually consists of dates and
Vater; then off again until late In the Il
lIternoon, when halt is made for the
hght' supper usually consists of
warm bread, with an onion or dates nc y
relish. Bread is prepared in os sim. =,
lie manner as possible. While the .,
oarse flour and water are being n
neaded into dough, large fire is
1ade which provides good heab of
ot ashes. On part of these the f1ot-
ened dough is laid, then covered with >,
ne remainder of the ashes. In about
fteen minutes the dough is sufficient h
baked. 1t is then well beaten to
rec 1t from the ashes broken to pieces I
hu divided among those who from =,
lelr bags have contributed to the
Etiquette Strictly Regarded. A. A.
Alter the evening feast coffee IL h.