D S PRICE, 25 CENTS / 7 (^ _.._ 4 5V "j I Jfrmenia and Tt$ People ti THE WINTHROP PRESS 82-84 LAFAYETTE PLACE, NEW YORK BY ANDON ANDONIOS jj (AN ARMENIAN REFUGEE) 'l COPYRIGHT. 1896 ,'^:-sA The author of this book will accept engagfcmcnts from now UNTIL THE END OF MARCH NEXT to preach upon the "ARMENIAN RELIGIOUS LIFE " or lecture upon "ARMENIA AND ITS PEOPLE" illustrated by native songs and photogfraphs^ Address:— ANDON ANDONIOS, Care of **'Vhe Winthrop Press/' 32 Lafayette Place, New York City. New York City, December, 1896. Armenia and Its People BY ANDON ANDgNIOS (an ARMENIAN REFUGEE) THE WINTHROP PRESS, 32 & 34 LAFAYETTE PLACE, NEW YORK. rDSi^ COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY ANDON ANDONIOS, • -• •«• ••' IN A NUTSHELL HAVING recently arrived in America I have written this little book with not a little care, in a language that is foreign to me, and I need not state the difficulty I have had in adequately expressing myself in English. I have set forth in the following pages a brief sketch of the Armenian country and the mode of life therein, from social and religious points of view, as the result of my own experience during a life-long residence in Turkey and have introduced under the guise of fiction a true story about a brave Armenian young lady on which I have laid considerable stress. Having blended throughout this book humor and pathos, as far as liberty of speech and sense of duty permitted me, I have no doubt that an impartial reader will not only be entertained but will also be profited by what I have written in my simple way on the following topics, which are : — A Bird's-eye view of Armenian History and Country. ISToliam m edants mT''' — — ^ — ~ - Armenian Marriagesr"^'*^'^:^;^ Armenian Evening Visit§^-3 Infancy and Funerals Among Armenians. Katch Oriort, a Brave Armenian Young Lady. A Bird's=Eye View of Armenian History and Country Armenia, which is a mountainous and a very fertile country, about seven thousand feet above the sea-level, lies on the south of the Caucasian Mountains, between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea; a strip of land, men- tioned in the book of Genesis, where, until to-day, the famous Mount Ararat and the lake of Van are situated. This is the land whence the historic rivers of Euphra- tes and Tigris take their origin, and majestically glide down into the Persian Gulf. Really it can be well de- scribed as an exquisite Garden of Eden, fit for human habitation. Armenia, it is said, dates its Christianity from about thirty-four years after Christ, but, according to history, the Armenian Bible was translated about three hundred years after Christ, and the national saint, called St. Gregory, preached the Christian doctrines there about that time. The Armenians to-day are as Christian as the English or the Russian nation, and they are often called " Gregorians," after the name of the saint mentioned above. Since about 1840 those Armenians who disapprove of priesthood and ritualistic systems have been called " Protestants," and they are much fewer in number than their " Gregorian " brethren. Among those Protestant Armenians there are a few American missionaries, located here and there, in cer- tain prominent towns. Armenia has been under the Turks or Moham- medans nearly 500 years, and within recent years there has been a great deal of empty talk in regard to this historic and beautiful country, bathed in human blood. In Armenia, as elsewhere throughout the Turkish Empire, the houses are generally built of wood, and the highest of them, so far as I have seen, are three or four stories high, so unHke the towering edifices I have seen in the United States during my short stay^ here. In Armenia or Turkey the streets are, as a rule, nar- row, badly paved, or not paved at all, having a single gutter in the middle, instead of convexly built thor- oughfares, with a gutter on either side, with foot-paths for pedestrians, such as one would see in Paris and other cities. Wild dogs of all temperament, shape, and color prowl about, serving as street scavengers, provided by the bounty of nature. At night there may be a few dim lamps here and there in the crooked, narrow, and rugged streets, but not as a matter of convenience ; and if any man be caught in the streets in the awful silence of the night without a lighted lantern after the fifth Mo- hammedan prayer is announced from the " minarets " of the lofty mosques, which is about bedtime, such a person is legally arrested by the patrolling gendarme or the Turkish guard, and what may then happen to the unfortunate prisoner I need not mention here. When I compare Turkey with the United States, how strikingly great is the difference between them, consid- ering in the latter country the electric cars, railways, all sorts of sanitary regulation and commercial facilities, and, above all, the religious and social liberties ! Now- adays even the ladies can ride bicycles and compete with men in many things, and why should they not ? In Armenia or Turkey I have never seen any lady mer- chant ,any lady telegraphist (nor even any lady butcher !) as one would see elsewhere. A young lady bicyclist, dressed in prim knickerbockers, wearing tight, stylish gaiters on her feet, and a tip-top Tarn O'Shanter tilted on her head, with a grand plume obliquely sticking up on its side, having altogether the appearance of a perfect masher, will be a novelty, and such a shocking sight to a timid Armenian young lady, who would regard her quite as a tomboy indeed ! I am afraid there will be hardly any chance for the " new women " in Armenia ! The Armenian idea of womanhood is that a woman should be modest, amiable, and retiring, and not for- ward or domineering, and those only are fit for mar- riage who are domesticated and submissive. How far these qualities will suit the young ladies of the Western civilization I cannot tell. MOHAMMEDANISM Mohammedanism, or a kind of Unitarianism, is the predominant religion of Turkey, and the only religion of the Turkish government, amidst millions of people of different nations, religions, and tongues. A Mohammedan, that is, a true Turk (in Turkey only Mohammedans are called Turks), believes in one God, as a spiritual power in person, in an abstract sense; that is, by ignoring the historical incarnation of any deity in the form of a man, and regards the prophets, including Mohammed, as the messengers or servants of such a God, appointed by Him to deliver His oracles, and the book, " Koran," being the embodiment of His mind. Absolute universality of one God's reign, in predis- posing the destiny of each individual, and on man's part absolute resignation ; that is, " iman " (faith) in Him, and works of charity — these are the chief features of the Mohammedan doctrine and the binding principle of the Turkish religion. And if there is one thing that a true Turk hates it is the worshiping of pictures or any visible phenomena, though they may be used as means to an end. But one may ask: Firstly, What are the oracles of God ? Secondly, To whom and under what conditions a true Mohammedan must exercise charity ? Thirdly, In what way absolute resignation or faith in God's predestination must be manifested ? And in the answers to these questions you will find many intricacies; but I am not going to discuss these questions. It is not an unusual thing for the Turkish authorities to compel the services of any working man, for any municipal or military work that has to be done. Once I heard that a soldier got hold of a cartman, and as they were going along the soldier began to be rather troublesome. At this time an elderly, serious-look- ing Turk, passing by, remarked that he should not be so cruel, and the soldier, having misunderstood him, re- plied by saying: " That is nothing; he is only a Chris- tian," and the venerable Turk explained himself by say- ing: " I do not mean the Christian, but I mean the beast." By this you may well understand of how little consequence is a Christian in the estimation of a Turk. You will not see a Christian soldier in the Turkish army, for Christians are regarded as aliens (tebaa). They must pay a tribute instead of service. A well-to- do Mohammedan is allowed to hire or buy any one as a substitute for himself in the army, and if the person so hired be a questionable character, it will be a good thing for such a one, as he may thereby escape justice. Hence, if there be the slightest excitement in the coun- try, you may well understand what excesses might take place by such recruits or officers promoted from this class, when they are let loose. A true Mohammedan must rehearse his prayer five times a day, and each time, before his prayer, must make his ablution (" attest ") ; that is, he must wash his face, forearms, and feet, or else the prayer will not be counted. It is very pleasant to hear the " muezin " (the caller to worship) chanting most melodiously invitations to the people to come to worship, in the silence of the night about bedtime, or early in the morning before it is light. The rich voice of the " muezin " is wafted a long way of¥ from the " minarets," round the balconies of which he walks while singing. During the period of " Rama- zan," a fasting period, which lasts one lunar month, no Turk is seen smoking or eating in the daytime, and the 10 Turks are by no means light smokers. I wonder how many Christians in the United States of America or elsewhere will give up their smoking and abstain from their soup and breakfast for a day ! ARMENIAN MARRIAGES. Marriage is one of the serious steps in life, because the happiness or misery of the two parties concerned so much depends, in the first place, upon the kind of choice they make. It is quite a mistake to marry for money or position. In various ways young Armenian ladies and gentle- men may meet each other and form an alliance for life. An Armenian gentleman makes the acquaintance of a lady either through his mother, who takes a deep inter- est in the matrimonial afifairs of her children, or he may meet a young lady by the side of a fountain or well, al- though it is difficult to tell how love begins. In Armenian or Turkish towns and villages there are often to be seen fountains or wells, where the young: ladies in the eventide come to fetch water with their red earthenware pitchers. If you stand by the side of a well, you will see the people coming from their farms, vineyards, or business, some on foot, others in bullock carts, and some others on donkeys or horses. One of the young ladies there by the side of the well may feel kindly for a gallant young man coming to satisfy his thirst on his journey, and give him a draft of water which she has just drawn from the well. The well wa- ter, as a rule, is clear as crystal, cold, and most refresh- ing. And by this thoughtful, kind action of the amiable 11 young lady a tender chord may move in the heart of the young man, if it has not moved until now ! In this way intimacy may begin. And if the young man desires to choose her as his wife he may give her a lovely Arme- nian rose or some other token, but he must obtain the consent of her parents, and offer them a sum of money. In other countries a young man selects the lady he likes, and it is not considered strange for the young people to be in each other's company. There is no doubt the people who have to live together are the parties most concerned, and not the outsiders, hence they ought to know each other well. But in our coun- try, it is not customary for young ladies and gentlemen to mix in each other's society, as the intimacy might soon be misconstrued, and that is why the Armenian mothers are so interested in the choice of a partner for their offspring. In fact, the mother has to recommend the girl she likes to her son, or the gentleman she likes to her daughter. As soon as the engagement of the young parties is settled, a grand dinner is given, somewhat similar to that prepared by the father of the prodigal son men- tioned in the Bible, and the ceremony is concluded with smoking, drinking, and festivities. About a fortnight before the marriage day, prepara- tions are made for the occasion. In a certain place, while the bridegroom is being shaved amidst a group of dancers, the godfather comes and makes a white beard with soap on the face of the bridegroom, and with such an artificial beard of soap he is taken to kiss the hands of his parents, and they wish him long life. 12 Armenian dancing is not by embracing each other as in the ballrooms of other countries, but by holding hands and forming a circle, and then the dancers go round and round with a jerking motion. A man with a white beard is much esteemed among the Armenians, and a well-mannered young man is ex- pected to treat him with reverence. An old man would lose his influence if he shaved his moustaches or part of his face. When I saw old men in America shaving their moustaches or part of their beard, I must say their faces seemed to me unnatural and ridiculous, and more like monkeys' faces than men's. When the bridegroom is shaved, his sisters come and kiss his forehead and give him presents. The Arme- nians, whether male or female, never kiss each other on the lips, as in other countries. When kissing is con- sidered necessary, which is very seldom, only on most solemn occasions, the younger kisses the hand of the elder, and the elder kisses the forehead of the younger. Kissing on the lips indiscriminately is very dangerous, because any one may be inoculated with disease by the breath or saliva of an unhealthy person. It is sad that such a dangerous practice should be considered eti- quette or sign of affection, when kissing might involve a danger. Just before the bride is married, her nearest friends plait her hair. The number of her plaits must be even ! While they plait her hair they sing such words as would express her feelings, such as : " Happy mother, may your home long remain happy ; behold 1 am going 13 away; may your home be ever happy." The poor young bride, being stirred up by these words, bursts into tears at the thought of leaving her home forever ! At sunset preparations are made in both the bride's and bridegroom's houses, and about midnight the cho- sen friends, in company with others, go to take away the bride, and, as it is against the Turkish laws for any one to go about the streets without a light after a certain hour at night, they carry lanterns and wax candles, accompanied with all sorts of musical instruments, such as zithers, clarinets, cymbals, etc. In some places you may also hear bagpipes. But the drum is the fa- vorite musical instrument of the Mohammedans. Supposing you are half asleep in your bed, and you are awakened by beautiful music wafted to your ears in the silence of the night, and if you rise, open your bedroom window, and look out into the pitch dark streets, you might see the marriage procession coming from a distance, with blazing torches or candles, accom- panied with music and merriment, which is really a grand sight at such a late hour. If you watch you will see the beautiful bride walking with the bridegroom amidst the crowd as they pass by. The poor bride is almost suffocated and crushed to pieces, as every one wants to see her. She is dressed in white or in colors, with all sorts of ornaments, such as a tiara on her head, golden coins or jewels round her beautiful neck, and long golden threads hanging from her head to her feet, almost covering her bashful yet charming brown eyes. It must be very uncomfortable for her to wear all these encumbrances and walk amidst the excited crowd, es- 14 pecially in a summer night. But love must be a won- derful thing, I should suppose. She must have forgotten sleep and all except the one nearest to her ! From the church the procession proceeds toward the house of the bridegroom, and on their arrival presents are given. According to European or American etiquette the giver of a present very likely will affix his card thereto, and the visitors will quietly go around inspecting and admiring the various gifts. The Armenians do the same thing, but with much more ado; that is, if any one presents a pair of bright patent-leather boots to the newly married bride, some one will stand up in a con- spicuous place and say, in a shout, " So and So pre- sents this pair of boots to the bride," and I cannot tell how many cheers will follow the demonstration. I need hardly say that everybody will know the bride is getting a pair of boots ! After the bride and bride- groom are kissed on their cheeks and congratulated, the usual sumptuous dinner is given, followed by dancing and rejoicings, and, after a few hours, the friends de- part. The wife and husband immediately after the mar- riage begin their home life, without going anywhere for their *' honeymoon," as is done elsewhere. Marriage is a great event in an Armenian lady's life. In her home life she has so much to do, and has to rise early. She may often be seen spinning the flax or cot- ton, which is placed at one end of a distaff fixed through her belt, as the Armenian ladies are dressed loosely, and do not tighten their waists like some fashionable ladies I have seen, deforming themselves by narrowing their waists so ridiculously. 15 ARMENIAN EVENING VISITS. In America you have evening lectures, concerts, or theaters, where ladies and gentlemen can enjoy them- selves, but in my country the presence of such things might be misconstrued, and a great havoc may be the result. After the day's toil is over, it is customary among Armenians to pay visits in the evening to each other's houses, when the dinner is over; that is, after the sun- set. One of the family or a servant goes in front with a lighted lantern. When the visitors arrive at their friends' house, the women take ofif their wooden clogs and the men their galoshes, and walk in their socks or slippers, into the guestroom, which is well furnished and clean. Afterward the men and women are seated separately in their respective places, like the Quakers, gentlemen on one side and ladies on the other. After being seated, the men greet each other by putting their right hands to their lips, and then to their foreheads and the women do likewise to each other. The women at home are expected to keep in the background, and the gentlemen always have the precedence of ladies! I do not think this will suit the " new women." After the ar- rival of the guests, no one is expected to sit without a headdress — this etiquette might admirably suit the Quakers. While the guests are having a chat, pres- ently a young lady comes in, with feminine modesty, terrified to utter a word. She carries in her hand a beautiful tray, on which are arranged rows of cups filled with odorous black coffee. On the tray there are also one or two kinds of especially prepared jams or cakes, 16 with separate spoons and glasses of water, or some de- licious home-made wine. She goes around to serve the guests, beginning with the gentlemen. The young lady, or more probably her mother, asks the guest to have his choice, and if the guest seems to be shy or reluctant the mother entreats him several times to help himself, and if the guest is a desirable young bachelor the young lady at the same time quietly may steal a look, blush- ingly ! After this ceremony is over the social chat goes on. The ladies keep to themselves on one side of the room on the cushioned floor, and converse in an under- tone, while the gentlemen on the settee enjoy them- selves and smoke. You might well say, '' What a shocking thing !" If the house is a Protestant house wine is not used, and before the guests take their leave, the good man of the house may read a portion from the Bible and engage in prayer, and they may also have a little singing. The guests rise, gently bow to each member of the house- hold, and bid farewell without shaking hands, and then take their lantern and hurry back home, through the pitch dark, crooked streets. INFANCY AND FUNERALS AMONG ARMENIANS. When an Armenian family is increased by a new vis- itor from the regions unknown, oh what joy there is in the house ! Poor mother seems to forget all her troubles when her mother-like glances rest on the di- minutive bit of humanity near her. The first thing that everybody in the house wants to know is, whether " the baby is a bov or a p^irl," but I do 17 not think the mother will care so long as the baby is her own. If the baby is a boy, they are proud of it, but not so if it is a girl, because when she grows there is no millinery or drapery shop, no means to improve and make herself independent and a help to others, but must stay at home until some tender chord moves in some love-smitten bachelor to promote her. There is no business for Armenian ladies as there is for ladies in other countries. It is a special joy to the father when the baby is a boy ! But I do not know what the boys would do if there were no girls in this world ! It would be a funny world to live in, would it not ? However, the baby is well wrapped in a white swaddling bandage, hands, feet, and all, except the tiny head, and is laid on its back in the cradle or basket, and everybody and anybody lifts the baby up like a ball, and so it looks in its tightly wrapped swaddle ! Poor baby dare neither move hands nor feet, all being so tightly wrapped ! The baby has only to gaze on the admirers with his beautiful bright eyes, as much as to say, " Wait, wait till I grow, then I shall use my hands and feet." The Armenian babies are not dressed like the babies in other countries, where they use loose, com- fortable gowns and enjoy perfect freedom. A few days after the birth of the child those who are concerned in the baby hurry on to get it baptized; of course, they do this from a religious motive, and the poor baby is mercilessly plunged into the baptismal font by the priest. Oh, what a cry and rebellion follow from the helpless baby, you may guess ! 18 What would you have done if they stripped you of your clothes and dipped you on your back into the cold water, while holding your hands and feet ? Some young Armenian children might wish to know where did this baby come from ! And such inquisitive chat- ter-boxes might be quieted by saying they caught the baby from the river, but that hardly satisfies them. When an Armenian dies a candle is placed above the head of the corpse. The hands of the corpse are folded across the chest. The corpse lies on the bed spread on the floor, which is covered with a carpet or mat accord- ing to the circumstances of the house. The poorer peo- ple use mats. The mourners surround the deceased, and lament most pitifully. The sight becomes very heart-rending indeed when the deceased is carried to his resting-place by four friends, with gentle steps, while followed by the weeping and bewailing relatives and the crowd. The corpse is placed in the " chah," which is an open bier having rails all round its sides about one foot deep, and has four projecting poles, two in front and two behind. The Mohammedans, Jews, and Prot- estants carry the deceased in covered coffins, but only the Protestants line the outside of the coffin with black cloth and white ribbon round the lid. The Mohammedans, Jews, and Protestants proceed hastily and in solemn silence to the cemetery, without any ceremony on the road. The Armenians and Greeks carry the corpse in a bier, as I described, and the dead body that is carried in an open bier is surrounded by evergreens and beautiful flowers and well dressed, while the hands are folded on the breast. The passers-by can 19 see whether it is a young woman or an old man with his venerable, flowing, snow-white beard. The Armenians make much ado in the streets at a funeral. The priest solemnly chants as he precedes the bier, while the fumes of incense, which burns in a censer swinging in his hand, fill the air deliciously and serve to remind one of the solemn occasion. A group of boys dressed in white gowns go in front of the priest, and carry crosses or pictures held on the top of poles. Carrying the dead body in the open bier and the lamentation illustrate the ancient custom in Palestine, that existed about nineteen hundred years ago, which is proved by the story recorded so graphically in the Bible, of the widow's only son rising and sitting while he was being carried to be buried. The face of a dead person will, with eloquent silence, speak volumes to the passers-by. It says that " here lieth one who thought, spoke, loved, and was loved, and now what is left is nothing but clay; the real is no more here." When the corpse is buried in the cemetery you may see the crowd treated with wine, as tea is not a universal beverage among the Armenians at any time. In a cer- tain place you might see in a Greek cemetery on the gravestones the profession of the deceased sktched; that is, if he was a bootmaker, the sketch of a boot, and so on. KATCH ORIORT, A BRAVE ARMENIAN YOUNG LADY. The city which is the scene of my story about a young Armenian heroine is one of the largest and most typical Turkish towns. It is about a day's journey by 30 railway from Constantinople, although a few years ago there was no railroad connecting them, and it took sev- eral days to travel from the Turkish capital to this city in bullock carts or on horseback. It is situated on the inclines of several small hills. The one called " Yel- drum," on one side, and the other called " Keyuk," on the other, are pretty high, and the whole city might be justly called a city of gardens. On one side of the city, on the bank of an ever-flowing broad river, there is an extensive forest known by the name of " Seray itchi," which is adorned with tall and overshadowing majestic trees, and all about the city are crowded with gigantic trees, vineyards, and fruit trees stretching miles and miles over the hills. Silk being one of the chief products of the city, here and there round about the valleys on the river sides will also be seen mulberry gardens extending over long areas. The mul- berry leaves are of more value than the fruit, as the silkworms subsist on the leaves only. Through the city run two great rivers — the " Marit- sa " on one side and the " Tounja " on the other, both coming from the lofty Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria, and flowing into the JEgesm Sea, just close to the en- trance of the straits of Dardanelles, where certain gun- boats of the European powers and the United States of America were prepared in vain to enter Constantinople during the recent Armenian massacres, which are too ghastly to describe. Over the " Maritsa " stretches a magnificent lofty bridge nearly half a mile long, with pure white marble parapets on either side, and exquisite domes in the 21 middle, ornamented with curious Turkish inscriptions. Within these domes stone seats are provided. From this bridge you will see the city mostly built of wooden houses, lying before you like an open map, here a Mo- hammedan " minaret," and there a " minaret," towering up to the heavens to enormous heights. And you will also see belfries of Christian churches scantily scat- tered about through the city. The middle of the city, called " Kalleh itchi," is the aristocratic part of the town, inhabited mostly by the Armenians, Greeks, and a few Turks, most of the Turks being away from this aristocratic center. This important part of the town is surrounded by a thick wall having high towers rising above it at various points. The city gates of the wall, in different parts of the town, are kept closed at night. The Turkish guards, " Zaptiehs," who watched in the guardhouses close to the gates, let any one in that carried a lantern provided with a light, for, accord- ing to the Turkish rule, no one dares to walk late at night in the dark without carrying a light with him. After entering the " Kalleh itchi " you come to a very large stone-built fountain called '* Kourou Cheshmeh," as there are drinking-fountains at different corners of the streets, and all of them have well-known names. Close to this " Kourou Cheshmeh " fountain, obliquely on the opposite side you will see a little, lead-roofed, somber-looking Turkish mosque, with a pretty high *' minaret " projecting on its side, and tapering to a point. Right opposite this curious building you will see a long, narrow street with old-fashioned wooden houses on either side. If you watch closely you will see 23 the road is concavely built without any sidewalks, and it is paved with rugged stones of all sizes and shapes, so that an American young lady would not find it easy to ride through on her bicycle or walk on with her tightly fitting boots ! But the Armenian ladies neither wear tight boots nor ride bicycles. When you look up and down the street, you will see curious houses, plastered outside in yellow or white, and you will also see the third house on the left, a patriarchal-looking, massive wooden building having a sloping roof, covered with overlapping red tiles. This house is only two stories high, having a long stepping-stone in front of a weather- worn, two-folded gate, rows of windows on the right and above, and on the left there is a square bow-win- dow projecting, which is screened with wooden lattices. Once, in my constitutional walk, I saw a bow-window in the city of New York, opposite the George Washing- ton Arch, in the Washington Square, somewhat similar to the one of this Armenian house. The wooden lat- tices of this Armenian bow-window served to screen the ladies of the house when they wished to have a peep, out into the streets, as it is not safe for any young Armenian lady to sit in an open window, for fear of the Turks and other strangers passing by. This patriarchal house is the home of Katch Oriort, our heroine. This house has a large garden behind it adorned with pear and other trees on one side, and on the other side of the garden there will be seen a silk factory and a granary under a long shed, and in the middle of the garden you will also see a well having a pure white, circular marble basin in 23 front of it about one foot in depth and three feet in diameter. It is quite common for the Armenian houses not only to have a garden, but also a well several fath- oms deep, containing clear and cool water. For drink- ing purposes they have better water, than that of the well, in the fountains, either in the houses or in the streets. Katch Oriort is the daughter of a well-to-do Arme- nian silk manufacturer and land-owner. She is distin- guished alike for her heroism, piety, and intellectual attainments. Many young ladies in civilized countries have ample scope, in learning not only needlework and cookery, without which no lady ought to be regarded accom- plished, but they can also acquire proficiency in literary work, in music, dancing, and languages, although many of them nowadays hardly require more than one lan- guage, and many are qualified to pass examination even in cycling ! But in Katch Oriort's time, for an Arme- nian lady to be able to read and write was considered, not only out of place, but something extraordinary and wonderful. An Armenian lady was not supposed to have any higher duty in life than getting married and bringing up her children. But Katch Oriort thought differently. Her idea was that ladies, as well as gentle- men, ought to be educated, and acted accordingly, which the following story will show. A national Armenian school having been recently opened for ladies, the priest called on her father to send his daughters to the school, he being one of the princi- pal men in the city. Doubtless the priest thought, if 24 his daughters were allowed to go others would follow his example. But the old-fashioned father would not tolerate such a thing. When Katch Oriort heard his decision she was much grieved, and vexed her parents so much with her tears and pleadings that at last they consented, in order to have peace in the house, but none of her sisters would follow her good example, as it was considered unnecessary for a lady to be educated. She took her old-fashioned quill pen and green earthenware inkstand, according to the style in her days, and went to school. In time she wrote such a good hand that one day the venerable priest complimented her by saying, " How beautifully you write on unruled paper." Noth- ing could have been more gratifying to her than this expression of the priest. Armenian ladies do not know anything about calis- thenics, lawn tennis, riding, or other outdoor exercises, as do the ladies in other countries. One day, as Katch Oriort and her companions were playing " hide and seek," they heard the voice of the priest or teacher, as no young man would be permitted to teach young la- dies. The group of girls were so terrified that they took refuge in the lavatory, " hargavor." The indignant priest, having found them in their hiding-place, gave each a slight beating as he put them out one by one. Katch Oriort was so much insulted at this that she at- tended school no more, though at this time she was in the highest grade, or grammar class ! How much the young ladies in America and elsewhere ought to appre- ciate their educational advantages and social liberties ! When Katch Oriort was about seventeen she became 25 very much interested in reading a Bible that happened to be in her home, and as she read it she was struck with the simple truths of the way of salvation. In order to escape the interference of her people at home, she got up by night, lit the old-fashioned tallow candle or the oil cruse, and in this way Katch Oriort searched the Scriptures at night, after the people of the house had retired to bed. Kerosene lamps or gas have only be- come known among Armenians within recent years. What she was doing was soon discovered, and her people thought that the best way to divert her attention from religious questions would be to hide the Bible in a secret place, so the people of her home hid the Bible from her in the granary among the grain. They thought it out of place for a lady to search the Scrip- tures. The Bible is chanted only by the priest in the church, and a lady or a gentleman dare not know more than the priest, the only guide of his flock. Katch Ori- ort was very anxious to recover her Bible, and one night she saw in her dream the exact spot where the Bible was hidden. I do not say I believe in dreams, but I say this, that it is quite possible for God to reveal His mind by means of a dream. Next day Katch Oriort told her people that she knew where the Bible was. She went with them straight to the granary in her Armenian garb, as the Armenian ladies are dressed loosely, hav- ing broad sleeves, the neck of the shirt being loosely fastened, and the waist comfortably held by a sash or belt, not like the fashionable European ladies I have seen, who tighten their waists to such an extent that they render themselves ugly and ridiculous. I think a 26 woman is comely when she is in her natural state, just as God made her, without hanging a piece of metal, gold though it be, from her ears, if not from her nose, quite like the heathen. However, Katch Oriort, on her arrival at the granary, put up her broad sleeves, pushed her hand into the grain, and found the Bible in the very place she had dreamed. This astonished her people so much that they began to reverence Katch Oriort for discovering her Bible so miraculously. The priest was sent for to talk to Katch Oriort on religious questions. The priest knew how to chant the Bible in the church, but, not being well up in his text, had no chance against Katch Oriort, as she knew the Scriptures well, and was able to quote passages from it, in order to confirm her argument, and the priest had to go away. Although Katch Oriort's views on religious ques- tions and importance of ladies' education (not in ball- rooms, theaters, or Parisian latest styles) clashed with those of others, yet soon the people in her home and elsewhere began to esteem her. She knew whose she was and whom she served, when she understood the Bible she had searched. In heart she was pure, and possessed lofty ideas. These qualifications are the only means whereby one can rise above the petty annoyances and turmoil of the vanity fair of this world. In manners she was well disposed, amiable, and energetic, as be- comes a lady ; and in appearance she was stately, having sparkling, piercing dark eyes, with long eyelashes, while her jet black, flowing hair adorned her lovely head, suiting her sweet expression, and her loose garments were becoming to her age 27 and patriarchal home, and she made herself use- ful, either in drawing water from the well in the garden or by taking part in the domestic work, as all true ladies ought to feel dignified by occupation, in- stead of depending on servants for every little thing, either for dressing their heads or stitching their buttons. I wonder how many ladies there are in stylish Ameri- can homes that can make a pot of tea or a plate of soup ! Too many restaurants, too much pleasure, are apt to render the young ladies unfit for a home life. A sen- sible young man will select a useful wife, and not one merely to look at, like a mantelpiece ornament. How- ever, Katch Oriort went about the house, discharging her duties like a ministering angel. Her amiability and Eastern modesty won the aflfection and admiration of others. Her parents thought they ought to get her mar- ried without consulting her feeUngs, as among Arme- nians it is customary for the parents, especially for the mothers, to choose suitable wives or husbands for their children, not like the gentlemen or ladies in America and elsewhere that are free to choose as they wish. Katch Oriort was not in a hurry to get married, and wanted to take a deliberate step in such a serious matter, and she had her own will and ideas on the question of matri- mony: that people should not get married for conven- ience' sake, for position or wealth, but only for affec- tion and true love. Katch Oriort's father was an aus- tere, real patriarchal, but good-hearted old gentleman, about six feet tall, of erect attitude and commanding disposition, who thought much and spoke little, and no one could speak to him on religious or other questions 28 without realizing that he was in the presence of a supe- rior person. The young sons or daughters of this old gentleman stood in a kind of reverential awe before him, according to the customs and manners of superior Ar- menian families, but the mother was the most accessible person for all. Armenian fathers are unlike European fathers, in that they do not chat and play with their children, lest they become too free in manner. But I do not see why fathers should not be on familiar terms with their chil- dren in talking with them (not smoking) and sympa- thizing with their way of thinking. I think there is a great deal, when we talk with children, we ought to put ourselves on their level, remembering that we also were in their position in the time past, and in this way we might lift them gradually to our standard of thought and action, instead of keeping ourselves aloof. But. at the same time it is so disgraceful to see impudent chil- dren, with long tongues, who not only smoke, but sadly lack in decorum and manners. Katch Oriort's father had an intimate young gentle- man friend, aged about twenty-five, who was in business with him in his silk factory and was the friend of the house. This young man used to be so persecuted on account of his religious views by the church people out- side, that his mother even turned against him, although she was a good woman. But he endured peacefully and acted as a gentleman. Katch Oriort's father was so much struck by his tolerance, gentleness, and courage that he used to say of him, " I love that gentleman like my own son," and Katch Oriort had a stolen interview 2Q with this gentleman now and then, and used to feel so much for him, being in sympathy with him, and grieved over the cruel persecutions he endured so calmly, while he was left friendless. Of course, sympathy is the begin- ning of true love. A young lady and gentleman begin to love each other only when they begin to feel for each other and wish to excel in kindness, because kindness is Love in disguise. Stylish dress, beautiful bonnets, golden rings, or curled moustaches do not produce true love. The purity of heart, kind disposition, and bravery of this young man moved a tender chord in the heart of Katch Oriort, and she loved him dearly, and would not marry any one else, notwithstanding the arrangements made by outsiders to divert her attention elsewhere. He had a commanding appearance, open forehead, ex- pressive eyes, through which one could read noble qual- ities. I think the ladies, whether Armenian or not, are pretty well qualified to read people's' eyes, and I have often noticed that the instinct of perception is so strong in ladies, especially when they are of full age. At all events, that gentleman's graceful appear- ance, refined manners, piety, and endurance deep- ened not only the interest but also the love of Katch Oriort, which resulted in their marriage. Their union was one of mutual esteem and respect, and they lived together like two angels, always in love, unlike many other marriages. Once a widow, who resided in a large fashionable house in one of the European towns, told me that her husband used to throw slippers at her while they lived together ! What an awful thing it is for people to be obliged to live to- 30 gether while they hate each other ! Therefore it is not strange when I think marriage is one of the serious steps in Hfe's rough journey, where we often feel the want of human sympathy and care. Katch Oriort's husband was so tormented by outsiders, on account of his reHgious views, that the bishop of the town deter- mined to arrest and exile him. Here I may mention that the head of the Armenian or Greek Church has a certain amount of power from the Sultan of Turkey to administer justice to his flock in matters of religion. This young man, before his marriage, was enlightened by the reading of a copy of the Bible, which he casually obtained. Bibles were very dear, and it was not within the power of every one to procure a copy of it. Some Armenians have a notion that it is the duty of the priest only to chant the Bible, and that in the church, upon certain solemn occasions ! In fact, there was only one bookseller in the market-place of the town where Katch Oriort and her lover resided. There were no newspa- pers, no missionaries, but God was there, and this young man was awakened or " converted " from the su- perstitions prevalent at that time. By ''converted " I do not mean from any evil habit, as he had been always a good and godly man, but I mean he was more en- lightened. One day this young man entered a refreshment room on his way for a little lunch, and, as he was taking his meal, the occupant of the place suddenly informed him that a great crowd was at hand in search of him. The moment he heard this he ran for his life, chased by a furious concourse of people, with all sorts of destructive 31 instruments in their hands, such as cudgels, knives, dag- gers, etc. Even in an ordinary day it is quite a usual thing in Turkey to see the Circassians or Turks orna- mented with daggers or pistols while they walk up and down the streets or bazaars, where they may be seen en- gaged in buying or selling. Even the sight of such peo- ple is repulsive. When you see, say, a fierce-looking Circassian, who wears a long, conical, white headdress, with a broad rim of black fur around it, a long, gray coat, tight boots coming up to his knees, white bone cartridge tubes arranged across his breast, and a broad dagger about a yard long hanging from his leather belt, and he may also be carrying a revolver on his side, you will be astonished why such people are allowed to go about ! However, while Katch Oriort's husband was being chased by a furious crowd through the nar- row and crooked streets, he saw an empty barrel on his way, it being quite a common thing for the merchants to leave their empty barrels in the streets. Katch Ori- ort's husband hid himself under it, and the crowd passed by without taking any notice of him. After they passed him he came out of the barrel and took refuge in a house without being hurt at all. I have no doubt if the furious people had caught him they might have chopped him to pieces, without even giving him a trial before the court of the church. Finally Katch Oriort's husband received a ferman (decree) from the Sultan, and was able to go about his business without being molested for his religion. One day, on his way home, in passing through " Cooleh Capou," a market street near the guardhouse at the 32 city gate, the shop people immediately began to hoot and jeer him, one informing another of his passing. On seeing the threatening attitude of the mob he un- rolled the ferman from the Sultan, and showed it to the excited natives, who no longer dared to touch him, and he was thus able to pass through the street unhurt. Katch Oriort was very much annoyed by the cruel per- secutions he endured. In prosperity and adversity Katch Oriort's husband delighted to speak of God, and his favorite expression was " Doksa se Theos .'" that is. Praise be to God ! By and by the home of Katch Oriort became the only Protestant church in that city where she lived, which contains nearly 80,000 people. I never saw a man so fearless of death as the husband of Katch Oriort. He thought of death only as a gate to go to Heaven. He used to work very hard in order to maintain his family. One night while he was busy cut- ting wood, his little boy, only a few years old, with nice, curly hair, sat before him, waiting for his father. It was late at night, and the dear little boy interrupted his father now and then, by saying: " Father, I am sleepy; let us go." Suddenly, while they were there, a tremen- dous noise took place outside the door, that caused much excitement; evidently some mischievous person wished to act as a ghost in order to frighten the people. There is a notion among the Turks that the evil spirits walk at night. Katch Oriort's husband did not be- lieve in such nonsense; nevertheless, after this incident he did not feel well, and was laid up in bed. During his illness I was staying in his house. One morning, while 33 in bed, in the upper story of his wooden house, I heard beautiful singing. When I arose and came down I found that this godly man had been singing with his wife. He was lying on a cushion spread on the floor, and Katch Oriort sitting on the settee at his head. The room was a very plain one. The walls were plastered in yellow, and the only ornament on the wall was a mir- ror with a black, broad wooden frame, suspended at the entrance on the right of the door. His brother-in-law came in, and asked during the conversation, " Supposing you die, what do you think will become of you ?" To this question Katch Oriort's husband cheerfully replied in my hearing, " When the hour of death comes there is a Home for me, where I shall just pull the string and walk in." His brother-in- law knew what he meant by this, and could not restrain his tears. Among Armenians it is quite a usual thing to have a string passing through a hole at the door. When the string is pulled down the latch behind the door is raised up and the door is opened. Katch Oriort was in great sorrow, but her husband reminded her that they were not married like many others, and that she should not be overgrieved after he was gone, because God will take care of her and her six children. After this he blessed his children, as his part- ing farewell, and was no longer able to speak. It was his habit to ask grace at the table before a meal by hold- ing his two hands up, and now, though speechless, he held up his two hands in the attitude of prayer. Katch Oriort, who was seated on the settee at his head, stooped and asked, " Are you praying ?" He simply tLcf C. 34 nodded, whereby he meant " yes." His eyes faded, and soon after he was no more. Next day, a few Protest- ant Armenians came, put the remaining clay into a cof- fin, and carried it to the Protestant cemetery on a hill. At his burial the crowd sang the same hymn that he sang with his wife before his death. Katch Oriort shed many tears. She was left with six children and without a copper even to buy bread. Katch Oriort never knew what poverty was, but now she had to earn a living by sewing from morning till late at night. In this way she preferred to remain a widow and rear her children, for she loved them. It would be a big book if I could nar- rate all she endured for long years until her children grew to maturity. One day, as she sat at the window of her house, wait- ing for her sons to return home as usual, she saw the people running in the streets to and fro in great alarm, many of them being covered with blood from their own wounds. On inquiry she was told that the Turks had been breaking into the Armenian church and carrying many away. Katch Oriort in search of her sons, went about the streets, and when she arrived at the Armenian church she stood amidst the infuriated Turkish soldiers who drove with their bayonets any Armenian they found. While she watched the ghastly scenes she saw her two sons and a young neighbor, all of whom she saved, and no one dared to touch her. She took the ter- ror-stricken young fellow to his mother, and when she saw her son she knelt before Katch Oriort and repeatedly kissed her hand, out of gratitude for saving her son. However, the human butchery continued in the city, 35 and one day, while the bullets showered like rain from many quarters, Katch Oriort's youngest son, who is a superior young gentleman of culture and position, knowing several European languages, including Eng- lish, was also severely wounded. He was put into a hospital, and while the human blood flowed in the streets of the city like a river, Katch Oriort decided to leave the country with her grown-up daughters and sons. She took her wounded son from the hospital and embarked on a vessel in the harbor without losing much time, and traveled by night with her children, except her eldest son, who was away^ at that timej > It is almost a miracle how they could leave the country. A young Armenian doctor more than once attempted to escape to America, and the Turks not only turned him back, but they also took his money from him. The sea raged furiously, and the boat tossed over the foaming waves in the dark, hither and thither, while the stars shone above in their splendor, until Katch Oriort with her family safely reached a foreign country, whose language they knew not. On their arrival the doctors of the place consulted together and decided to operate on her son, but on further deliberation it was settled that the operation should take place in one of the European capitals. Katch Oriort located her other children in a rented house, and left in the morning with her wounded son, like a guardian angel by his side, until they arrived at their destination, where they were treated most kindly. The son was put in one of the best hospitals in the capital, and when an eminent professor exam- ined the wound he said, " This wound does not require 36 any operation at present." In a few days the wound healed, and Katch Oriort, having admired the beautiful European buildings, the like of which she had never seen, returned rejoicingly with her gallant son to meet the rest of the family in her new home. When Katch Oriort sailed by night during the Turk- ish turmoil and confusion, her eldest son could not embark with her, but sailed at the same time by another boat to a far country, surmounting untold difficulties by land and by sea. As a matter of interest, I give the lit- eral translation in English, some of the words written by Katch Oriort to her eldest son, and they are the fol- lowing : — ' " My blessed son " — " I have been expecting thee, but I see that I have to wait yet. I rejoice for thy safety and continue my prayer in thy behalf. The help of God is with thee now wherever thou art. I am com- forted by thy letters. The . . . thou sent re- minded me thy assistance in my troubles since thy early days. Should it be narrated, it will be an interesting story. Thou knowest well all these good thoughts, the blessings thou receivest, and the strength thou possess- est are not from thyself. . . . May thy courage in- crease day by day by the help from above. If thou findest any one who loveth the Lord thou must look upon such a one as one of us. . . ." " I am anxiously looking forward for thy letter, my beloved son. God be with thee. " Thy mother." The above unique style of Katch Oriort during such 37 perilous circumstances will give a good glimpse of her noble disposition. It is true that Katch Oriort was not married like many others, and that God had taken care of her and her six children until to-day, even in her old age. The brief story about Katch Oriort I have just nar- rated will show that she is truly a heroine in the real sense of the word, especially when you compare the cir- cumstances in Turkey with those of a civilized country elsewhere. I only wish that the reader may be bene- fited by what I have honestly written in my own simple way. ,j:'gRARY OF CONGRESS 019 617 289