TURKISH INFATUATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1459, 26 January 1886, Page 3

TURKISH INFATUATION.

An exceedingly strange story was brought in the other day, says the Home correspondent of a paper. Strange though it is, I can _ vouch for its accuracy. Near Gusinje lived a wealthy Turk, who owned 2000 sheep. He was also blessed with a dog of such faithfulness and sagacity that, although the country is broken in the extreme, for twenty years he never lost a sheep. Some weeks ago this noble animal died, full of years and honors. Hia master was at first inconsolable, but finally he went to the Hodja, set forth the marvellous skill and singular fidelity of the deceased animal, and ended by requesting for it burial according to all the rites of the Church. The Hodja was astonished, as well he might be. However, he assented, “But,” said he, ,! you must give me seventy pounds” (Turkish), “I will give you a thousand,” replied the sorrowing Turk, “if you will only bury him like a man.” Well, this extraordinary ceremony was performed. The mollahs went through all the ceremony, and 'mourners wept, and the master grieved over the defunct animal, who was finally consigned to the earth. But when this became noised abroad great was the indignation. An unclean animal buried like a man; nay, worse, like a Turk ! Prayers chanted by pious mollahs over a four-legged beast 1 Sacrilege ! A meeting of all the mollahs was convened, and the offending Turk was summoned before it. Knowing that resistance could avail him nothing, he went. The sentence of the convocation was unanimous. Death alone could expiate such a crime. The Hodja addressed the luckless rewarder of canine virtues :—“ On such a tree (naming one near the spot) you must hang yourself.” The unhappy man acquiesced, for resistance would have been futile, but requested leave to address the meeting in his defence. After a stormy debate this was granted. “I am aware,” said he, “that I appear to have sinned, but I believe that that dog was more than a mere animal, his sagacity and his skill were above those of ether dogs,* and, more than that, ho used to speak to me. When he was dying, he called to me and said, ‘ For twenty years I have served you faithfully, do me now this favor ; Bury me as a man, and give to the Hodja 200 shares of butter, and to the mollahs 200 sheep to be divided between them.’ I promised, and will perform ray promise.” Such a story staggered the assembly, as well it might. “ Will you swear,” asked the Hodja, “ that the dog spoke thus 1” “ I will,” said the Turk, Among the mountaineers a m*u 5 s oath is considered conclusive, so, after deliberation, the conclave solemnly decided that the dog had a claim to the burial of a man, and absolved the Turk from all blame.