The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-11-12
Misfellaneuus.
THE COBBLER OF BRUSA.
A TURKISH TALE.

In the reign of Bajazet the First, there
lived in Brusa, that city being then the
capital of the Turkish Empire, poor
cobbler whose name was Eskigi Meimet
Eflendi. This worthy artizan inhabit-
ed small house, containing but one
apartment, situated at the foot of Mount
Olympus. The chesnut and plane trees,
with which the sides Of that snow.cap-
ped mountain are covered ,overshadow-
ed his humble dwelling, and offered
cool retreat during the sultry summer
days. Numerous streams and mineral
springs, reflected in their translucent
bosoms the lofty scenery by which
they were surrounded, and gave birth
to plants and flowers of brilliant hue,
and aromatic odour. The shepherd, as
iffearful of disturbing the crystal surface
of these waters, drives his flock to some
distant summit, from which he looks
down at his ease upon the prospect be-
meath him; and the birds, whose nests
are among the neighborIng trees, hardly
rufile the mirror-like currents with the
light dip oftheir wings.
1t was in the midst of scenery like
this that Eskigi Meimet Effendi had
fixed his habitatiou. The routine of his
life was simple and regular. Early in
the morning, he would 60 one or two
miles into the city, and bring home all
the old shoes, that he could collect from
his customers. He would then take
hs bench, with his awl and lap.stonc,
beneath some large tree, and there
work merrily at his trade. In this
way, he managed daily to earn a few
paras, which were barely sufficient to
support himself and his family, consist.
ing of a wife and child. But being ac-
customed during the day to the beauti-
full sights around Mount Olympus, he
could not remain content in his humble
domicile at night, without having a
great number of lights burning in his
presence. Consequently, after purchas-
ing few OF his indispensable neces-
saries of life, he would spend the re-
InulDueI VI iiS s'hoii PiVt"hSS III oA''
After the prayer ofsunset, which the
Turks call aranl namas, the honest cob
bier would prepare his illuminations.
Then, having taken his supper, he
would chat with his wife, smoke his
chiboque, and trum on his guitar, while
his child danced to the sound. Some
times he would sing to the full stretch
of his lungs, according to the Turkish
fashion. At the iahi or fifth prayer,
which took place two hours after sunset,
he would retire to bed
In those times, the Turkish emperors,
accompanied by some officer of distinct
ion, We're, often in the habit OF walking
in disguise, sometimes by day, and
sometimes by night, so that seeing with
their own eyes, and hearing with their
own ears, they might truly know the
wants and dispositions of their subjects,
and take their measures accordingly,
Now it happened that Bajazet the
First, in passing the domicile OF Eskigi
Meimet Effendi, had often been amazed
with the brilliant tilluminations and the
very loud songs Of that patriotic cob
bier. Consequently, one evening, the
Sultan and his Vizier having assumed
the costume of dervishes, stopped before
the house, in which many lights SEEM
ed to burn, and knocked at the door. a
voice from within. asked, "Who is
there ?" The two illustrious personages
of tho empire replied that they were
dervishes, who in the name of God, de-
sired hospitality. Eskigi Meimet Ef-
fendi answered, by telling them to wait
a few minutes, till he had found means
of conceaing his wife, it being,as every
one knows, contrary to the customs OF
| the Turks, to admit man into the
presence of their wives, unless he be a
near relation. The poor cobbler having
| but one room, was puzzled how he
should dispose of his better half. But
being unwilling to refuse hospitality to
his visiters, he thought it best to fix ur
the counterpane in one corner OF the
apartment, AS a sort of screen, behind
which his wife might retire, Having
done this in the neatest manner he
could, he opened the door to his two
guests After the saidm aiekim, ol
usual salute of the Turks, he placed be