Judge, 1928-02-25 · page 7 of 36
Judge — February 25, 1928 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "My Escape from the Harem" This page presents a serialized adventure story rather than political satire. The headline announces "My Escape from the Harem," attributed to Princess Abou Ben Perelman, described as a "Beautiful Half-Caste Armenian Princess" held in "the Stronghold of the Sultans." The narrative appears to be exotic fiction exploiting early-20th-century Western fascination with Ottoman harems and Middle Eastern mystery. The photos show a woman identified as the princess and a harem scene on Mott Street (likely a staged theatrical recreation in New York). The editor's note reveals this is fabricated entertainment: the "manuscript" was found in a bottle, mixing romantic adventure with comedic exaggeration. Judge presented this as humorous serialized fiction for reader entertainment rather than serious journalism or satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
two Circassian dancers named Jans and Whalen. Liberty Number of Judge Dee Pro, "He Publis) frag MY ESCAPE | from The HAREM (PRINCESS ABOU BEN PERELMAN (above), from a photograph taken in the harem. The Princess is wearing her court regalia. The two figures immediately behind her are (Below) The harem in Mott Street, from which the Princess escaped disguised as a Persian rug FE AT LAST! How glad I are to be here amongst this country with all those kind “Americans” with your motto “The Land of the Free and No Hard Centers, All Nou- gats” after my harrowing experiences over there in Mesopotamia as a cap- tive in the harem of the Sultan! Will I ever forget those days and nights of girlish Armenian despair? Will I? I hope not—at least not as long as I can still remember them at ten cents a word. ... But perhaps I had better go back to the beginning, or “Genesis,” as the Koran says. Close your eyes and imagine yourselves amongst the fields of waving Koran in sunny Asia Minor —a little hut tucked away by the edge of an oasis where stately camels dreamed. There I grew up, one of a family of eight roving Kurds. I was just a little Kurd who dwelt amongst untrodden wheys, a wild irresponsible daughter of nature who knew no mas- ter. I used to spend the long Arme- nian days in the pool near our desert home. One time I won three dollars in that pool. It was the time Montreal played a double-header. But I must continue with my story; there is so much to tell. I had grown into a dusky-eyed and languorous beauty with a mess of coal-black curls. Well will I remember the night of my twentieth birthday when my parents had announced my betrothal to the dashing Moron Khan, a sheep-stealer from the neighboring cafeteria (Ar- menian village). I was so happy! I lay in my little straw-lined stall next to Herman, our blooded Arabian steed, and I was so happy I gave 3 short barks of joy. I felt like a dog in the manger; really I did. Suddenly I felt myself torn brutally from my bed, and before I could say “Jack Robinson” (Jack LCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE] 5 The Princess The Amazing Narrative of the Adventures of the Beautiful Half-Caste Ar- menian Princess Abou Ben Perelman in the Strong- hold of the Sultans Eortor’s Nore: The following ducu- ment was found in a bottle on 45th Street, just west of Broadway. Besides the *manuscript, the bottle contained a pint and a haif of fragrant liquid. It was not until the hair tonic had been drained off and mixed with ginger ale and lemons that the editors realized what a really human document this was. We suggest that before you start reading, yor, too, look around for a bottle con: taining a manuscript. If you can find a bottle but no manuscript, kindly send it to the author care of Juoce, and we will send you a nice manuscrip Reading Time—Siz fur- longs, Donahy up, 1.41. Pays 21.50 Abou Ben Perelman being abducted by native Zikkthriskik