The Republican journal., 1872-08-08

slowly rose from the long tube OF his
nargileh. slave stood beside him, hold
mo a teathered fan of varied cOlors The
hutfoons of the palace had vainiy tried 10
eXtort Il smile from their master The
impassiblity of the grand signior gave
them to understand that their time was
i'll chosen and that mirth would be dam
gerou. they had therefore, one after the
other, quilted the apartment, waiting to
re-enter ut the good pleasure of the prince.
The palace was silent No noise broke
the stiffness save the fall of waters into
the marble fountains and the distant call
of the muczzin summoning to the duties
OF the mosque.
Shortly the hangings opposite the
divan were gently raised, and man
stood in respectful attitude before Mus
tapha
"What wouldst thou?" asked the sui
tan.
The Bostangi- Bassa it was he-rc-
piled briefly, according TO the custom OF
seraglio "A iuggler stands without; he
might perchance amuse your highness."
The sultan made an impatient sign in
the negative.
''This man." continued the Bassa
"knows strange things. He can read the
future"
LET him come in"
The Bostangl bowed profoundly, and
retired
Black slaves, armed with drawn SEINE
tars, surrounded the imperial sofa when
the iu99ler was introduced After 4
slight salutation, the young man leaned
gracefully on his yataghan, awaiting the
orders OF The sultan.
Thy name?" demanded Mustapha.
"Mehalle"
'FThy country ?"
"Jugglers have no country"
'SThy AGE ~
81 was five years old when You first
girdrd on the sword of Ottoman"
''Whencc comest thou ~
''FrOm the Morca. signior," replied the
.jnggler pronouncing the words with
emphasis.
The sultan remained silent for a mo-
ment, but soon added gaylv. '.Since YOU
can read the future, will put your knowl-
edge to the proof. When people know
the future they ought to know the past
''You are right. sgnior; he who sees
the evening star has only to turn his head
To view the last rays of the setting sun" F"
WELL tell me how | made my ahlu-
tions yesterday ,"
1.-The first with canary wine, the second
with wine of Cypress and the third with
that of Chiosn
The chief of believers smiled and
stroled his beard he was indeed in the
habit of dcrogating in this respect, as in
many others, for the prescription of the
Koran.
"knowest thou" replied the sovereign
whom the Iingaro's answer had put in
pleasant hum0r-'k knowest thou that
could have thee beheaded ?"
'.Dnubiess," said the juggler undaunt-
edly-"as You did the Spanish merchant
who watered his wine before he sold it to
YOU
Mustapha applaudel the knowledge of
the magician. He hestatel. neverthe-
less, before he ventured to put the dread
ed question that tyrantS, who are ever
superstitous, never fail TO demand of
those who can read the stars GLOW
long have to live ~
The grand si9nor assumed persua-
sive tone, and even condescended to flat
ter the organ Of destiny, in hopes of OBJ
tanning Il favorable answer.
"Ihou art a wonderful YOUTH said he ;
''thou knowest things Of which, besides
tiyself. the mutes only possess the secret
! have questioned many fakeers, mara
bouts and dervishes, some Of whom had
three times seen the tomb of the Prophet
but not one OF them all ever answered me
Us thou hast. | should wish to keep thee in
my palace; | will make YOU richer than
all the merchants of Galata if thou wilt
tell me the year when must die"
Mehallo approached the sultan, and.
taking his hand, appeared to study the
lines of its palm with great attention.
Having finished his examination, he went
To the window and fixed his ewes for some
time upon the heavens. ''The fires Of
Belram are Lighting up the cupola of the
grand mosque,N said he slowly; might
is at hand.'
Mustapha anXiously awaited the an
swcr Of the astrologer. The latter CON
tnucd in Il mysterious manner: ''The de
clining day sill eclipseS the ligh; of the
constitutions | will answer YOU, signior,
when the evening star appears"
The sultan made 4 movement of i'm
patience; anger was depicted in his coun-
tcnance, and the look which he darted ON
the mutes showed Mehalle that he had in
CURED his highness' displeasurc. Curios-
ty. however, doubtless prevailed over
every other feeling Of the princes mind.
Tor, turning to the young man. he said,
II am little accustomed to wait | will
do so, however. if th,Mranst amuse me
until the propilious hoM arrives"
"Would your highness like to see some
ieats OF Juggling ?' asked Mehale, draw
ing his sabre from the scabbard
"No, no." exclaimed the sultan, max
inc the circle OF slaves close in about him
leave thy arms :"
"Woulh you prefer story, signior?" ?"
'Slories that lull an Arab to sleep under
his tent No, | must have something
new. OF all known games there is but
one care for; used to play it formally,
but now there is not n person in the palace
who understands the chess-board.
The .jugoler smiled, and, taking an
ebony box from velvet bag. he present
ed it to the sultan, whose wish he under
stood.
The stern countenance of the sultan re-
laXed at the sight, and the board was
placed on the bowed back of slave Be-
fore commencing the game the sultan
said, ''We are about to play so far, good;
but shouldst thou lose, what should |
gain ?"
"Sincc your highness does me the honor
of playing against me, will stake all that
| possess--this scimetar and my liberty
But what if win?" added the young
man, folding his arms.
"Shouldst thou win, l would give thee
q slave"
''For u free man? The stake is not
equal"
81 would add to it my finest courser."
81 need him not; my feet are swifter
than those of an Arab steed."
"What wouldst thou, them"
81 have fancy, sublime signior. IN
til this day have been nothing but a
wanderer wearing the dress of .juggler
Were | to complain of this l should be
ungreatiul, for this simple garb has ever
seen me free and happy. I, however, re-
nounce it. | become your slave; my
mrth shall be for you alone; l will sing