Miko

ARMENIAN CHILDREN REFUGEES.

The Turks have recently wiped out the Armenians of Levant,At Mush, the Turks killed all the men then hustled the women andchildren together in a camp and burned most of them to death. Thepicture shows a group of little Armenians who escaped butchery, andwho are being cared for by their Christian teachers in Egypt. Theirparents and brothers fought for two months in the hills of Syria, nearthe Mediterranean, and were rescued by French and English warships.

Miko

BY M. A. DENOIAN

I[The author came from Van, Turkish Armenia, to the UnitedSlates, three years ago, and is now a resident of Salt Lake City. Hispurpose in coming was to get an American college education. Helias not been able as yet to carry out his plan, but has succeeded ad-mirably in learning the English language. He says he could easilyhave earned his own way through college, but the war coming on,deprived his folks of every earthly possession, and made the familygreat sufferers. The fleeing survivors are dependent upon him fortheir support. He says he has witnessed almost identical exper-iences, such as those described in his story, which are typical of theconditions that have existed in his native land, and which the war1 as now made more intolerable. The author has made a carefulstudy of the political and social affairs of Turkey.—Editors.]

The villages of Shatak were filled with alarm. The name of?\Iiko resounded from one mountain to the other, and throughoutthe length and breadth of the bioad valleys. He had his encamp-ments on the summits of neighboring mountains and cliffs, whencehe spread terror throughout the countryside. To the enemy hewas like a lion who had escaped from his iron cage, athirst forvengeance against those who had subjected him to a mercilessslavery. The Turkish and Kurdish brigands shook with fear atthe mention of the name Miko. The Armenians blessed him andprayed for his life. But there were among them some, who cursedtheir benefactor. It is thus that the sick child curses the doctor.The apathy of slaves leads them to prefer peace and the usual

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scant livelihood earned by drudgery, no matter how disastrous.And no one cursed Miko so heartily as Hairo, of the village ofKarr.

Hairo was perfectly contented with his circumstances. In hisstable were two strong oxen and three cows, besides a number ofsheep and goats. Moreover, he possessed fields, which he culti-vated with his own hands. He lived in peace and harmony withhis parents, already advanced in age, and with a sister. It wastrue that at harvest time, the Turks and Kurds seized most of hiscrops, also some of the sheep and cows. Without doubt Hairoworked much and enjoyed little, but what remained sufficed forhis meagre needs. It was said that Kurds had abducted an Ar-menian maiden the day before ; that the officials, who had installedthemselves in the house of the reis (village chief), had outragedhis daughter-in-law. A week ago Kurdish brigands had carrier!away the herd of a neighboring village, after killing the shepherd.But these things did not concern Hairo. Everything was tranquilin his abode. No one had made rude remarks to his siter, Nazek.liesides. he would argue with himself, "Who is to blame in suchcases ? The people know that such things are customary amongthe infidels." Thus he calmed his conscience. Each morning withIrs whip across his shoulder, he drove his oxen to the fields, and atevening he returned humming a song. Why should he not curseMiko, whose audacious deeds had aroused the anger of Turks andKurds, until there was even a question of establishing a militarypost in the village.

Soon, indeed, this military post was established. It wasnear the fountain where the village girls repaired for water. Forthat reason Hairo was still further incensed at Miko and his com-rades.

Certain other villagers were no less incensed against thehaidooks (revolutionists), because of the military post, and proph-esied worse fate for the village. The village chief, Lahak, andthe village teacher, Larkios, were among the disgruntled people.The village chief and teacher, by virtue of their office, felt self-sufficient to pass judgment upon political and social problems.Often, when the day's work was over, a number of the dissentingpeople, mostly men of advanced a°'e, gathered under the roof, oron the porch of the chief, discussing the issues and business ofthe time. The exploits of Miko and his comrades were the maintopic of conversation and discussion.

One black and bleak autumn evening, as they had gathered torehash the same propositions and problems, there was heard thebarking of the dog and a knock on the door, which was opened,and there entered Miko with his six followers, to the chagrinand dismay of the village chief and the rest of the men folk, withfew exceptions. Some tried to sneak out and slink awav but

M1KO 503

were prevented. After the usual salutations, the haidooks wereinvited to be seated. For a moment there was silence and anxiousexpectation. Some tried to guess the mission of the visit; otherscommented upon the weapons, carried by the haidooks. Womenand children were rejoiced by this unexpected visit. By theirnatural bent of desire and curiosity they enjoyed immensely thisopportunity to see these celebrated fedais (volunteers). Feats ofarms and tales of predatory, heroic dee^s have especial appeal tothe lively imagination of children ; and a woman, particularly un-cultured woman, loves nothing so much as a brave, virile andchivalrous man.

"Friends/7 began Miko, breaking the silence, ''I have come todiscuss with you certain pertinent and timely questions, whichconcern all of us. You have heard about us and our work, nodoubt; but I am informed that there is a diversity of opinionamong you, which is nothing surprising, and the village com-munity is divided into two hostile camps, which is likely, or, Ishould say, bound to have untoward consequences for us all. Wedid not shoulder these guns and betake ourselves to the mountainsout of love for guerrilla warfare against our Mohammedan neigh-bors. The way we have been treated by our neighbors of dif-ferent nationality and the Turkish government needs no recitaland comment. I trust you all were and are thoroughly dissatisfiedwith the state of affairs. Our enemies, by virtue of their racial,religious and political differences, are not amenable to reason.Justice is a thing unknown ; corruption is rife in the official circles.Here, in this country, might is right, and a Mohammedan is enti-tled to the seat of master. According to the orthodox Mohamme-dan theory, a Christian is a very obnoxious and offensive creature,who is not entitled to anv consideration, not even life, unless itplease a Mussulman (Mohammedan) to spare his life and allowother privileges. Lack of resistance or ineffective resistance on thepart of our forefathers has made the class bolder and more intoler-able. Thev think us to be inferior, but themselves and theircoreligionists superior in every way, though they have accomo-lished nothing worth while with all their supposed superiority,ddie only conspicuous results of their feats and exploits beingthose heart-rending ruins of magnificent structures our fore-fathers built. As a result of this attitude and state of affairs wehave been losing: materially, morally and intellectuallv. Indeed,our state has been no more than slavery. I pondered over thismatter long and hard and came to the conclusion that a differentcourse and attitude on our part would bring better results."

"Yes," interrupted the teacher, "bv arousing the anger ofbarbarious Kurds and vicious Turks ; also, causing the establish-ment of a military post in the village."

"That is very true, Mr. Larkios, but it ,1oes not mean that we

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really arc worse off. The Mohammedans will gradually begin tofear and respect us, and they will not treat us better before theylinve learned to respect and fear Armenians."

"How are you going to teach them to fear and respect Ar-menians?" asked the teacher.

"Why, by refusing to tolerate abuses, and resorting to forcewhen necessary."

"By shoul 1ering a gun and betaking oneself to the moun-tains," said the village chief, sneeringly.

"That is a necessary step, Lahak," said Miko, "under the cir-cumstances we cannot do any better. And you cannot say, withany degree of honesty and intelligence, that our activities havebeen altogether fruitless."

"I don't quite understand you," said the village chief.

"I mean, sir, that so long as we are not enjoying the undi-vided sympathy and support of our people, at least the greatmajority of them, the best course is to betake ourselves to thestrong defensive works of nature."

"But Armenians around here are not better for your armedcompany," said the Kisir (village mayor).

"Be patient, sir, do not expect miracles. We did not come tosuch a plight in a year or ten years. Your village may be underno obligation to us, but many others are, more or less. Don't judgethe whole by a part, nor part by the whole," said Miko.

"Chief Miko," said an old villager, "why don't you get ridof that military post, which is a source of trouble to us, anddanger to you."

"I hope and expect to accomplish that some day, but atpresent we must be cautious as our armed forces bear no com-parison to those of the enemv," replied Miko.

"There you are," said the village chief, "we are living in asort of armed camp, without being allowed to possess even oldfashioned weapons. And we have no training in the use ofarms. I don't think I could harm them much, even with yourgun and ammunition."

"That is because you never seriously tried to use arms forself-defense," said Miko's assistant.

"Where are we to get the guns and ammunition and trainourselves in their use, haidook Miko," questioned a young manfrom the corner.

"Mv Friend." said Miko. "where there is a will there is away. What is difficult is not impossible. In due time I will showyou how." '

At this juncture an elderly person, with gray whiskers andwhite hair, wearing a black broa-1 robe and carrying a curvedwalking stick, entered unnoticed. He paused for a moment andwith fearsome feeling observed the discussions had created a

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tense atmosphere. There was a pause in the arguments whenthe old man broke the silence by advancing and saying, "Godbless you, boys."

The village chief, taken by surprise, jumped to his feet andnoticing the priest of the village, said, "Welcome, elder, wel-come." Everyone stood up as a sign of respect, and the priestwas asked to make himself comfortable near the fire place.

"Well," began the priest, after sharply eyeing the armedmen, "I presume those unusual guests are Miko and hi? com-rades."

Chief Lahak nodded affirmatively.

"What news, sir," said the priest addressing Miko and hiscompany, "have you bagged many infidels?"

"Dear father," said Miko with a smile, "I and my comradesare not after bagging the infidels, as you say, but forcing themto behave themselves and treat us with justice and respect."

"I see," murmured the priest.

There was a pause.

"Do you think, dear elder, we can better our condition byforce of arms?" inquired the village chief.

"It is against the injunctions of our holy religion," said thepriest solemnly, " 'For all they that take the sword shall perish bythe sword,' said Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Right, so far," broke in Miko, "but you forget that we havebeen murdered and plundered, insulted and abused for so manycenturies without having used arms, and history shows that ourpeople has been better off whenever resort was made to arms ina concerted spirit. Living in company with robbers, fanatics andcut-throats, whose highest conception of right is might and theKoran, nothing is left for us but the use of force, as that is theonly argument they understand."

"Can you meet the Kurds, Turks and government on .equalfooting, in matter of men, arms and ammunition?" questionedthe teacher.

"It is not necessary." said Miko. "What we need to do is toshow the brigands and officials that unjust treatment shall proveexpensive. Remember the wise old saying, 'a dog's companionmust not part with his club.' "

"Times are changed! times are changed ! These fledglings aregoing to get us in trouble," whispered the priest to the villagechief, who shook his head in assent.

"But, my son, your attempt has brought upon us fresh troublealready; haven't you learned about the military post in the vil-lage ?" said the priest.

"That fact must not be viewed with great aoprehension.When our oppressors have learned to fear us, through our unitedand decisive action, thev will begin to behave themselves, as thev

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Co in squie places, or pull up their tents. And T have come to askthe co-operation of every brave, and self-respecting Armenian. Inunion is our chief force."

"United we stand, while divided we shall fall," said oneof the haidooks.

"But we are fallen already," said the teacher.

"That is another reason why we should forge strong ties ofunion and organize our actions, so as to raise ourselves," saidMiko.

"But you cannot raise yourself with your hoot strap," said theteacher.

"No, indeed, and we don't mean to. But I purpose to raiseour people through a noble ideal, a strong will and courage," saidMiko.

"Ideal and will! This is more new fangled stuff. JesusChrist our Lord came down from heaven to raise us from ourfallen condition, in him we must trust and his example we mustfollow. He is our Savior and shield," said the priest in a wise anddignified tone.

"This is why we are worse off," said an irritated voice,hidden in a dark corner.

"I appreciate your love for Christ, dear father, and in thatregard am not far behind, hut you must know that our plighthas been unfortunate most of the time, since we became Christiansas a nation, over sixteen hundred years ago," said Miko.

"Granted, for argument's sake, but what do you expect toaccomplish with your noble ideal and will-power as you said?"questioned the teacher with an air of confidence, and grinning thewhile.

"Almost everything, sir," said Miko in a positive tone. "Ifever there was accomplished anything worth while, in this world,it was done through an ideal, will-power and, I should add, cour-age. It is better not to live than to live without these noblequalities."

"How, in the name of common sense, could you save a peoplefrom its degraded condition through ideals, will-power and cour-age. Make yourself clear, if you please," said the teacher.

"The chief difficulty is to instil those noble, most enviablequalities in a man or people, the rest is comparatively easy," saidMiko. "Having a worthwhile object to attain to, for personal aswell as common good, will make effort spontaneous and easy.Without it, life becomes a matter of haphazard, thus fritteringaway time and energy and getting nowhere: will-power to disci-pline ourselves, and making necessary sacrifices for the attain-ment of an object, courage to meet the obstacles and dangers un-flinchingly. These are virtues. I must add that an ideal presuppos-es a self-respect which does not allow one to be satisfied with lowly

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conditions and base practices. If you and your fellow teachersgave more attention and effort to inculcate these vitally importantqualities, and less to this or that ism and ology, the millenniumwould not be so far off."

There ensued a pause. Such a line of argument was noteasy to grasp for a country people with small knowledge. ButMiko intended to strike at the foundation of the evil. To makehis ideal permanent he would put it on a solid foundation. Andevery line of progress rests upon certain fundamental principleswhich must be disseminated among the people through educa-tion. The chief haidook was a leader of people pre-eminently,which presupposes the knowledge and ability to educate.

"Miko," began the priest, in a rather vigorous tone, "let mesay one more thing. You said you loved Chirst, our Lord, blesshis name."

"Amen," sounded many throats.

"Why in the name of decency don't you follow him?"

"How?"

"How? I assume you have read well the Holy Book, asyou are a learned man, and our Lord said, 'Resist not evil,' whileyou preach and practice resistance to evil. Do you claim to serveGod and devil at the same time? I, for one, cannot and will notdo that; and, as the ordained servant of our Lord, counsel you,most earnestly, to change your course."

"I do not think you quite understand the injunction of Christ.He said, 'turn the left cheek if one strike you on the right,' whilelater on he protested when one of the soldiers of Pilate slappedhim in the face. How do you explain that? I don't believe Jesuswas inconsistent. He taught by precept and practice that at timesit is better to resist, at others it is not. After his last supper hetold his disciples that 'he that hath no sword let him sell hisgarment and buy one,' without intending to inculcate the idea ofbloodshed, but merely indicating the ways of this world, andthe necessity of adapting ourselves to our environment more orless. Didn't he come to preach and practice against evil? Howcan it be overcome without resistance, passive or active? Theexperience of the human race gives final answer to this."

Then followed a profound silence.

The atmosphere of the room was charged with a new kindof vitalitv and spiritual force. Those present were deeply medi-tating and feeling themselves elevated spiritually as never before.The fire in the grate was growing very low, and the windwas howling fiercely, mixing its awesome noise with the uglyhowls and barking of the dogs, without attracting anyone's at-tention, as ordinarily. The renort of a few sharp cracks camefrom the direction of the military post, and no one seemed tohear it.

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Conscious of his influence. Miko rose quietly, saying, "Goodmght, and good hyc. 1 hope to see you again, friends," and dis-appeared in the dark.

"You are entirely welcome, chief, you are entirely welcome,"thundered many voices.

II

It was at the close of an autumn day. Hairo, far from thevillage, in the solitary valley, had just finished plowing his lastfurrow.

"Good luck, Hairo!" cried some one; and Hairo, turninghis head, saw Miko and his band of haidooks (revolutionists).

"Salutation!" responded Hairo, with suppressed hatred.

"What are you doing here, Hairo?"

"Do you not see that I am working?"

"But why work?"

In answer to this outlandish question Hairo stared at Mikoand muttered, "One would think you did not know that one hasa family to support and needs bread!"

"Ah! you labor in order to have bread!" exclaimed Miko,ironically. "You do well, Hairo! But do the Kurds and Turkishofficials leave you enough bread ? Since you labor so much, haveyou still some bread at home?"

"Assuredly," answered Hairo.

"I am very glad of it," replied Miko. "In that case, dearneighbor, we shall watch your oxen, while you go and fetchus some. As you see, we are fugitives living in the mountains;we are forbidden to enter the villages, we are Christians, like you \Armenians, like you. And we have eaten nothing since yester-

That was the last straw! Hairo go and get bread for(lie bandits, for the rebels! He sought an excuse to refuse al-leging fatigue, and the distance, but in vain. Miko became morestern, more imperious, and Hairo. at last, submitted, muttering ashe left his oxen to take the path to the village, "May God turnIns face from you !"

Passing the military post he stopped. A terrible thoughtcrossed his brain. Would it not be better to warn the officialsand rid himself of this demon, Miko. He took a few steps for-ward, with this intention, but, suddenly, a name, which he hadheard many times in the church, held him back—Judas' Hestopped short, his lip repeated, automatically, "Judas' Judas'"He ever seemed to hear a mysterious voice repeating ceaselesslyJudas! "Judas!" He then hastened past the military post'as if to flee the temptation.

Miko receive 1 the bread. Hairo's hatred of Miko increased.

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lie would have been glad if the authorities ha 1 arrested Miko,if they had destroyed him. But he, himself, was afraid to commitcrime by betraying' Miko.

Days passed, and Hairo resumed his customary labor; heeven forgot about Miko. Then, one ominous evening, as he wasreturning with his son from the field, humming a tune whilehis animals lazily chewed their cuds, he was suddenly startled bythe shrieks of a woman. He stood horrified.

Inside the military post a crime surely was being committed.The victim must be a woman! Near the fountain was the pitcherwhich she had brought for water. His first impulse was to callfor help and run in to rescue but, considering the danger, hepaused. What could he do? Of what use to call help? Whymeddle in other people's business?"

He took a few steps forward, but could not proceed. Someimpulse and emotion held him back. It was the mysterious voiceof the race, of justice, of chivalry, newly awakened in his soul,that protested against the doer of the crime.

Suddenly, the door of the military post opene 1, and a womantearing herself from the hands of the officials, flew into thearms of Hairo, screaming piteously:

"Save me, brother, save me!"

It was his sister, Nazeh!

Hairo's eyesight failed him, as though a thunderbolt hadstricken him blind. It seemed to him that the universe was fallingto pieces ; that the world was coming to an end. Thus he borehome the little unconscious Nazeh. He heard that the brigands hadcarried away his cows, but did not seem to be concerned with thatvery much. He withdrew to a corner, shedding tears that couldnot assuage his grief. It was long since that he had wept, and hiscopious tears were bestowed upon all the wounded, dishonore 1Armenian women and maidens, whose anguish he now couldrealize. He reflected some, then, wiping his eyes, he took uphis club and started out.

The night had already fallen.

"Where are you going, my son?" asked the old father. "Thenight is pitch black; and you can expect nothing good eitherfrom heaven or earth."

"I must go away," answered Hairo. "What I have seen Tcan no longer endure. Does it rain ? So much the better. May itrain stones upon my head! I cursed Miko and his deeds, but ifMiko and his deeds are accursed, whose shall be blessed, mine? Ilabor to nourish the Kurds, and the Turks, and the officials dis-honor my sister."

So saying, Hairo left in, search of Miko. Long he wanderedmuttering the name of Miko. The rain beat against his face, thewind blew off his cap and tangled his hair, but on he went, like

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the spirit of darkness in search of his prey, like the ghost whichthe paternal curse drives from the tomb in the terrifying- hours ofth night. Now and again he stumbled, exhausted in the dark-ness. I le wished that he might be changed into a flame, settingthe world afire that the military post might be consumed. Hevowed to he avenged, to wash in death the stain of dishonor uponhis sister. It was necessary to find Miko, at any cost. For daysand weeks he wandered; at last he found him and threw himselfat his feet. His face burned with anguish as he said:

"I am unfit to live longer, chief, kill me and throw my corpseto the dogs and wolves. The people related me many wrongs,but I did not feel the misery of others. No one had ever woundedme ; no one had pierced my heart, my sister had not been outraged,and 1 was indifferent. Kill me, if you will, but avenge the honorof Nazeh. Destroy the military post, massacre the officials, thusavenging some of the Armenian maidens!"

He lamented his former ingratitude to Miko, and his com-rades. Never was contrition more profound and sincere. It wasthus that Hairo became a haidook.

"Chief," he repeated often to Miko, "see that I do not diebefore having beheld with my own eyes the massacre of theseravishers. Then I am willing to die a thousand deaths for you, togo even to the depths of hell, if you wish."

At last the hour of sacred vengeance sounded. It was adismal night of the late fall. The village of Karr was in atioubled sleep. In those regions, sleep is akin to death, so muchdo the unfortunate people fear the unknown danger, which theyalways feel hovering over them. Nazeh lay with open eyes.Since the disappearance of her brother, sleep mostly had forsakenher. She lived only in the hope and expectation that her brotherwould return. Suddenly the dismal barking of dogs was heard inthe distance, and the village dogs responded. That was the onlymanifestation of life in the village. Shortly a loud report rent thesilence, followed by a fusillade.

Nazeh raised herself upon her bed and listened. With thereports of the guns, cries were heard from the direction of themilitary post. She instinctively realized that the trouble was con-nected with her. She, trembling, arose noiselesslv, dressed her-self, and opening the door cautiously, mounted to the roof of thehouse. The military post was a mass of flames, illuminating thevillage. In the light of conflagration a desperate battle was being-fought. The guns thundered ceaselessly, and Nazeh's breastheaved with a mingled emotion of fear and delight. The thoughtthat Hairo was there, in that combat,, perhaps wounded, inspiredher with extraordinary courage, and she was seized with an ir-resistible desire to be there, near the fire, near Hairo ; to see with

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her own eyes the slaughter of her tormentors, to hear their groansand their death-rattle of agony.

She descended from the roof and ran to the military post.There raged a terrific battle. Some of the officials shrieked inthe flames, and others, while seeking to flee, fell under the bulletsof haidooks. One of the haidooks was distinguished by his ardoiin the combat no less than by his cruelty. He was a tall, broad-shouldered peasant. The commands shouted by Miko rangthrough the air, the faces of the avengers lighted by the flames,wore a dreadful aspect. All at once, as a shot rang across theflames, the tall and broad-shouldered man with his peculiar head-gear fell, reeling; and Nazeh at that instant reached and caughthim in her arms.

Hairo passed his arms tenderly around her neck and em-braced her. He was pale; his lips trembled. The blood flowedfrom a wound in the breast. Nazeh pressed her hands upon thegaping wound, and covered his pale brow with kisses. Rapidlyhis strength failed, and he leaned more heavily on Nazeh, mur-muring,

"Now I can die ; I have vindicated my manhood and avengedyour honor!"

Before he had finished his words, Miko approached, Hairodiscerning him said, in a faint voice: "Good bye, chief, God blessyou and vour work."

RICHFIELD M. I. A. SCOUTSIn Fish Creek Canyon. Part of Troop No. 1