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

ton he succeeded beyond his hopes, maxi
ing twice as much money as he could
cobbling old shoes; and he returned home
with more oil than usual for his ilumina-
ton, together with leg of mutton, which
had been roasted in 'kiabapsi" or cook
shop. After tightening up his house in
| quite brilliant manner, he took supper
with his family, and then as usual began
I to sing Justify.
The Grand Seignor, wishing to see
what effect his proclamation would have
upon the cobbicr, that evening again as
sumcd The disguise of dervish, and with
his Vizior appeared at the door Of Eskigi
Mcimet Efendi, and requested spitality.
AS soon as he had taken the same pre-
caution with his wife, that he had deemed
necessary the night before, the cobber
admitted his visitors into the Fouse. The
usual salutations passed between the. !,
and the host set before them the remain
ing piece of mutton and bread On being
asked the news Of the day. he mentioned
the proclamation Of the public cricr, his
own new employment his Increased prof
its, and the splcndor of his illumination.
The honest cobber frankly owned that
he could not exatly understand the object
Of the proclamation perhaps it would
soon be made known-but he coniectured
that his highnoss, the emperor, had ssu-
cd the order for some political end. Much
more was said respecting the events of
the day, and at late hour, the party sep
arated and retired to rest.
The next morning, the Grand Seignor
and his Visier returned home, some what
amused with their visit. They imr:.ed-
ately caused to be proclaimed throughout
the city, "That no person or persons
should follow the occupation of remover
of dust, until further notice, under the
penalty Of DEATH" Eskigi Meimet Eff
fendi, who was at that moment entering
the city with his basket and spade, as
soon as he heard the crier proclaim this
new decree, ran home very much alarm
ed, and with tears in his eyes, made it
known to his wife cxclaiming, "what
shall wo 60 for our llumination?" essay
rather, what shall we do for bread" was
the reply. At last the poorman bethought
himself that he would take basket and
go up TO Mount Olympus to gather aspar-
agus. The idea was good one, and that
day he made four times as much as he
used to when working at histrado. Henow
bought thrice the usual quantity Of oil, to-
gethor with number ofta]ow cancels for
his illumination. He also procured a
bunch of onions, and little fresh butter
and rice to make a "pillau." With these
he returned home moro content than a
king with his sccptre.
He made, that knight, the most splen-
did illumination ever exhibited in his
house, and not having candlesticks, he
placed the candles in row over the fire
place, or fixed them into fsures in the
walls. He clappod his hands with delight,
when he had completed these arrange
mcnts. He had hardly finished his sup
per and commenced his usual singing,
when the two dervishos again raped at
his door. Asiti the custom of the Turks
to grant hospitality to strangers for three
days, he thought it his duty to admit his
two importunate visitors once more. Ac-
cordingIy, having again arranged the
counterpane so as to form retreat for
his wife, he opened the door, ,and his guests
entered. During the conversation which
now took place, Eskigi Memet Efendi re-
lated how he had managed, by the assist
anco of God, to provide for his family
good supper, much Of which still remained
for his friends. But his chief delight was
in the magnificent illumination which he
had found means of exhibiting. He tho't
that even the Sultan had never had so ma
ny lights burning in his palace and f.
nally, he considered itpretty evident that
he was the happiest mortal alive.
The Grand Seignor was pleased, but at
the same time little piqued at the cob
ler's pertnacious good humor. When ar
rived at his palace TIE next morning, he
remarked to his Vizier that some other
method must be adopted in order to effect
their object, and that man who was re-
ally determined to work, could always
find employment, The Vizier replied I
that he had thought of plan, which was
to give the cobbler an office, and having
detained him all day in the palace, to send
him home at night without any money.
The Sultan approved Of the plan, and inn
mediately ordered one of his ministers to
send for Bskigi Meimet Efendi, and on
his arrival to invest him with the office and (
dignities Of high sheriff, or 'goliat buchit.'
Messengers were accordingly despatched
to fulfill this impartial command.
On being summoned to attend them to
the palace, the astonished cobbler began to