The Portland daily press., 1872-09-28

was silent. No noise broke the stiffness save
the fall OF waters into the marble fountains
and the distant call of the muezzin summon
ing to the duties of the mosque.
Shortly the hangings opposite the divan
were gently raised, and man stood in re-
| spectful attitude before Mustapha.
What wouldst thou?" asked the sultan.
The Bostangi Bassa-for it was he-replied
briefly, according to the custom OF the sera-
Clio: ga juggler stands without; he might
perchance amuse yonr hishness"
The sultan made an impatient sign in the
negative. .,,,.s .,o po..o .s-,,o.-.
strange things He can read the future"
sLet him come in"
The Bostangi bowed profoundly, and re-
tired.
Black slaves, armed with drawn scimetars.
surrounded the imperial sofa, when the Jug
gler was introduced. After a slight saluta-
ton, the young man leaned gracefully on his
| yataghau awaiting the orders of the sultan.
''Thy name? ?" demanded Mustapha.
| "Mehane"
"Thy country?"
"Jugglers have no country"
"Thy age?"
81 was five years old when you first girded
on the sword of Ottoman"
"Whence contest thou?''
"From the Morea, signior," replied the
1
| sis.
The sultan remained silent for a moment,
but soon added gayly,. "Since you can read
the future, will put your knowledge to the
proof. When people know the future they
ought to know the past"
"You say right, signior: he who sees the
| evening star rise on the horizon has but to
turn his head to view the last rays of the set
ting sun"
"Well, tell me how 1 made my additions
yesterday. ?'
''The first with Canary wine, the second
with wine of Cyprus and the third with that
| of Chios."
The chief of believers smiled and stroked
| his beard; he was indeed in the habit of de-
rogating in this respect, as in many others,
| from the prescription of the Koran.
"Knowest thou" replied the sovereign,
whom the Zingaro's answer had put into
pleasant humor-'knowest thou that could
have thee beheaded?''
Doubtless" said the jugger, undauntedly
-"as you did the Spanish merchant who
| watered his wine before selling it to you.'
Mcstapha applauded the knowledge of the
magc;an. He hesitated, nevertheless, before
he ventursd to put the dreaded question that
tyrants, who are ever superstitious, never fail
to demand of those who can read the stars:
chow long have to live%' -.
| The grand signior assumed persuasive
organ of destiny, in hopes of obtaining IA
vOrabie answer.
''Thou art wonderful YOUTH" said he:
''Thou knowest things of which besides thy
self the mutes only possess the secret. 1
have questioned many fakirs, marabouts
and dervishes, some of whom had three times
seen the tomb of the Prophet, but not one of
them all ever answered me as thou hast. /
should wish to keep thee in my place; will
make thee richer than all the merchants of
Galata if thou wilt tell me the year when
must die"
Mehalle 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 eyes for some time upon the hea-
vens. 1.-The fires of Beiram are lighting up
The cupola of the grand mosque" said he,
slowly might is at hand.''
Mustapha anxiOusly awaited the answer of
the ast-ologer. The latter continued in a
mysterious manner: "The declining Gay still
eclipses the light of the consultations. 1 will
answer you, signior when the evening star
appears" f
The sultan made a move of Impotence:
anger was depicted in his countenance, and
the look which he darted on the mutes showed
Mehalle that he had incurred his highness's
displeasUre. Curiosity, however, doubtless
prevailed over every other feeling of the
princes mind, for, turning to the young man,
be said, 81 am little accustomed to wait:
will do so, however. if thou canst amuse me
| until the propitious hour arrives"
'sWould your bighness like to see some fea.s
| of jrggling?,' asked Mehalle, drawing his
| sabre from the scabbard.
mo, mop exclaimed the sultan, making
the circle OF slaves close in about him.
'Leave thy ermsp' Te-'-feqa-
Would you prefer story, signior?"
"StoTies that lull an Arab 20 sleep under
his tent? No; must have something new
Of all known games there is but one care
for. fused to play it formerly, but now there
IS not person in the palace who understands
the chess board"
The juggler smiled, and takir- an ebony
box from velvet bag, he presented it to the
sultan, whose wish he understood.
The stern countenance of the sultan relax
| ed at the sight, and the board was placed on
the bowed back of a slave. Before commenc- !
ing the game the sultan said, eve are about
to play; so far, good; but shouldst thou lose,
what should gain?''
''Since yor- highness does me the honor
of playing against me, will stake all that 1
possess-this scimetar and my liberty. But
what if win ?" added the young man, fold
ing his arms.
''Shouldst thou win, win give thee
slave"
''For free man? The stake is not equal"
81 would add to it my finest courser."
Il need him not; my feet are swifter than
those of an Arab steed. .-r
"What wouldst thou, then?'
81 have fancy, sublime sig 1ior. Until
this day have been nothing but wanderer,
wearing the dress of juggler. Were / to
complain OF this should be ungrateful, for
this simple garb has ever seen me free and
happy. l, however, renounce it. / become
your slave; my mirth shall be for you alone;
will sing for you Indian songs; and, above
all, | will divine for none but you. In return
i will ask but one thing; it u.s. if win, to a.
low me to wear your royal mantle for ten
minutes, to sit upon the divan surrounded by
slaves, and to place upon my head that dread
ed turban whose fame has reached to the
ends Of the EARTH" |
The proposition of Meha'le was received
with burst of laughter from the sultan:
Thou wouldst sit upon the seat of the ca
liphs! Dost thou not fear the weight of this
turban upon thy silly head? A fine figure
thou woutdst make under the pelisse of Otto
man! should like to see thee giving audi
ence to the vizers and pashasp'
sit is in your highnesss power TO afford
yourself this pleasure"
. "Well," exclaimed Mustapha 81 will agree
to the stake. A juggler upon the throne
Such sight the East never saw"
The game was short. Though he PLAYED
with skill, the sultan was eheck-mated. 1t
was fairly done, and he presently prepared to
fulfill his engagement
Mustapha loosened his girdle, took off his
pellsse and laid down his turban, while a
slave assisted to invest Mehalle in the royaI
garments. These preparations completed, the
sultan, dressed only in loose silken trowsers
and richly embroidered vest, approached a
clock, and, placing his finger on the dial
plate, 'When the hand shall mark the hour
of eight" said he, Il shall have paid my wa