Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-08-01
AN. EASTERN ROMANCE IN REAL
LIFE.

Mr.. ]. NJ. FRANCIS, our Consul at
Athens, Greece, writes to the Troy Times
as follows:
A few years since there lived in Bebek,
village on the Bosphorus some six miles
above Constantinople, an elderly Greek
gentleman named Tchelby Yorgaky. A
arm-hearted, genial old gentleman was
Mr.. Yorgaky. He was the possessor of
some property in real estate, and suff1c-
lent income was derived from this source
to supply the moderate wants of himself
and his amiable wife, leaving balance
more or less which was distributed for
charitable objects. They had no children.
The venerable couple were very happy in
each others society; they had few init
mate associates outside. But among these
was friend of ours, an eminent American
citizen, who for some time resided near
their dwelling in Bebek. One day our
friend was invited to spend social even
ing with Mr.. YOrgaky, the latter saying
that if agreeable he would on this occa-
sion relate some facts of his family history
which might possibly prove interesting
as constituting strange chapter of real
.life at the East Our friend promptly ac.
'cepted the invitation, as any live Yankee
would have done under this stimulus to
curiosity. The old gentleman's statement
and our friend vouchsafed for Yorga-
ky's character for truthfulness after an in
innate acquaintance with him for many
years-was substantially as follows:
My fathers name was Yohannis Giros.
His father carried on the bakery business.
At quite an early age Yohannis was en-
ployed as bread seller at his fathers stall,
near the Egyptian bazaar at Stamboul.
There he made the acquaintance of
Turkish hoy, of about his own age,
named lbrahim, who was employed as
salesman in his fathers tobacco shop
close by. A remarkable friendship grew
up between these two boys. All their
leisure time they spent in each others
society. They indulged in sports to-
gether. They talked over plans of bust
ness by which in future years they might
not be separated a single dav They
would achieve fortune, and share their
wealth together. These were the day
dreams Of Yohannis and Ibrahim. Time
wore on. The boys had attained the age of
seventeen or eighteen years. Ibrahim's
father secured for his son situation as
tchiboukgi (pipe bearer) to the Pasha of
Bagdad. This was great honor for boy
in humble circumstances. But Ibrahim
did not desire the place, for it would take
him far, far away from Yohannis. Par
entail decision, however, was omnipotent
in the case, and go he must. But before
separating the boys had long confer
ence together 81 must CO." said Ibra-
him, "but | shall return to CONSTANT
nople as pasha, and then you will share
my honors and fortune" The separation
of Yohannis and Ibrahim was painful.
When the final adieu was spoken, each
pledged the other that his friendship
should remain constant so long as life
an1nrad VOhanniu full a1
( to his business at the bread-stall Ibrahim
accompanied his master on the long jour
ney to Bagdad.
Years passed by; Yohannis succeeded
to the humble business ofhis father on the
decease of the latter; he married, and was
blessed, as the poor are so often blessed,
with many children. BY steady industry
and strict economy he was barely enabled
to support his large family comfortably.
His mind frequently dwelt upon the
scenes and loves of youthful days, and the
Turkish boy Ibrahim was always cen
'tral figure in these memories. A dozen
years prior to this time he heard that his
dear friend of beyhood's days had died,
but the memory of that friend was rever-
emily cherished by him; one so dearly
loved in the fervOr of youth could not be
forgotten by the generoushearted Yohan-
MS amid the cares and struggles of life
of toll.
One afternoon, while partaking of his
frugal meal, and while surrounded by his
youthful family, Yohannis was startled by
the appearance of a very unwelcome visi-
tor-the chief police officer of the Sublime
Porte. The official announced to Yohan-
mis- that he must accompany him imme-
diately to the Porte. In those barbaric
days such summons meant condemna-
o tion and death, often without any assigna-
BILE or known cause. Yohannis and his
family were terrifed they pleaded for de-
lay. But the officer was inexorable. Yo-
hannis was dragged away amid the pit
. eous cries and pleadings of his wife and
children. Arrived at the Porte, the Off
Ger conducted his prisoner through along
hall with guards stationed on either side,
to the door of an apartment, where at a
given signal the door opened, and Yohan-
MS was at once brought face TO face with
the Grand Vizier
"ihls is our sublime master, the Grand
Vlzier said the officer. Yohonnis i'm
mediately prostrated himself before that
august parsonage, and commenced plead.
ing very earnestly for his life. "Spare me.
sublime master, spare me,n he calculated /.
"spare me for the sake Of my innocent and
dependent wife and children, if not ON ac-
count of my innocence of all wrong-doing.
Why should be brought here TO be made
the victim of the DOWstring or the axep /