Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-18

and astonishment took the place of CON
sternation and grief. He was sent to the
bath, and habited in new and costly uni
form, with Damascus sword.
Having remained in the, palace during
the day, he rode home in the evening, on
an Arabian horse, accompanied by train
of attendants. They left him at the door
of his house, which he entered alone
He found his wife in the position in which
he had seen her last, the poor woman
having lost all hopes of again seeing her
husband. She started up in amazcment,
on seeing him standing over her, habited
in rich and costly dress. He soon salts
fed her with respect to his visit to the pal
ace, and consoled her for all her appre-
tensions. But after he had finished the
account of his adventures, he began to
look melancholy, and said to his wife:
"Alas what shall we do for our nights
illumination? have no money, and we
have neither oil nor candles to burn"
"Nor bread to eat,' added his spouse.
Eskigi Meimet Ehfendi sat musing for
some time upon the sofa. At last, strik-
ing his hand uponhs knee, he exclaimed,
81 have it," and leaving the room, he
fastened to neighboring carpenter, TO
whom he sold the blade of his Damascus
sword for considerable sum Of money,
on condition that he would make for him
blade Of wood, to be fitted to the handle
and delivered carly in the morning. He
accordingly left the sword with the car
pentcr, and quilted his shop with the mo-
ney. The worthy high sheriff now pur-
chased large quantity of oil and candles,
and then turned his attention towards bay
ing a variety of food for supper. Return
ing home he made a most brilliant ilumi-
nation, while his wife performed the Of
flee of cook,
In short time the Sultan & his Vizier,
in their customary disguise, again knock
ed at the door. Eskigi Meimet Efendi
hesitated some time about admitting them.
He considered that he was now high Of
ficer of the empire and man of rank,
and ought not to receive persons of low
degree into his house. But they renew
ed their entreaties so pressingly, that he
consented to grant them hospitality for
the las! time. On entering they express
ed their astonishment at his new dress,
and asked him how he had come by it.
His reply was, Aat TIE distribution of
thrones, and tho shadow of God upon
earth, his majesty, the Sultan, had raised
him to the high Office of sheriff; and there
upon he described to them his several ad-
ventures during the day. He beggcdthcm
never again to take the liberty of knock
ing at his door, as he was no longer a
cobler, neither remover of dust, nor a
gatherer ofasparagus, but an officer of
the empire, and that he must be treated
accordingly. In the midst of his boast
ing, the Grand Seignor inquired how he
had managed, without money, TO still! keep
up his illuminations-and the ex-cobler,
Notwithstanding His lofty pretentions and
his determination to stand upon his Dig
nifty, could not forbear telling them how
he had contrived TO raise money, by SELL
ing the blade Of the Damascus sword
The Grand Seignor laughed heartily at
the circumstance, and they sod tier
separated for the night.
The Sultan and his Vizier reached No
palace at an early hour the next morning.
The 'mollah," or chief judge was imme-
diately ordered into the imperial presence,
and asked if there was any person to be
executed that day. 1t was ascertained
that there was one individual who was
waiting the punishment of death, in con-
sequence of having indulged in some
structures upon the government. The
Grand Seignor intimated his will that the
new high sheriff should make his mai len
attempt at decapitation on the head of the
prisoner Preparations for the execution
were accordingly made in a large square
near the palace. A vast multitude assem-
bled to witness the spectacle.
The sentence of death was read in the |
presence of the people, who,. on tiptoe
awaited the result. The high sheriff was
ordered to come forward and dohis duty. |
That respectable officer approached the
victim and ordered him to kneel |
and lay his head upon the block. Then
the hilt of his sword, he uttered
The fol owing prayer in the hearing oftho
crowd round the platform: 80 thou, who
art above all human wisdom and all hu-
man judgement, if the poor victim, whose
head | am ordered to severfrom his body,
be innocent, turn, pray thee, the steel
Of my sword into wood, so that | may
commit no injustice -
He Immediately unsheathed his blade,
md, TO the expressible amazement of the
spectators, it was indeed turned into wood!
The people shouted with one acclaim,
I. l. L L Al L