Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-04-19

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 moments upon the heavens.
"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 astrologer. The latter
continued in a mysterious manner:
"The declining day still eclipses the
light of the consultations. will answer
you, signior, when the evening star ap-
pears.
The Sultan made a movement of I'M
patience; anger was depicted in his
countenance, and the look which he
darted on the mutes showed Mehalle
that he had incurred his Highness dis
pleasure. Curiosity, however, doubt
less prevailed over every other feeling
of the princes mind, for, turning to the
young man, he said:
81 am little accustomed to wait; I
will do so, however, if thou canst amuse
me until the propitious hour arrives.
"Would your Highness like to see
some feats of juggling?" asked Mehalle,
drawing his saber from it's scabbard.
"No, no !' exclaimed the Sultan,
making the circles of slaves close in
about him. "Leave thy arms p
"Would you prefer story, signior?"
"Stories that lull an Arab to sleep
under his tent No, I must have some
thing new. OF all known games there
is but one I care for; used to play it
formerly, but now there is not person
in the palace who understands the chess
board"
The juggler smiled, and, taking an
ebony box from a velvet bag, he pre-
sented it to the Sultan, whose wish he
understood.
The stern countenance of the Sultan
relaxed at the sight, and the board was
placed on the bowed back of slave.
Before commencing the game the Sultan
said:
"We are about to play; SO far, good;
but shouldst thou lose what should |
gain?'
"Since your Highness does me the
honor of playing against me, I will stake
all that I possess-this cimeter and my
liberty. But what if I win?" added the
young man, folding his arms.
"Shouldst thou win [ would give thee
Il slave
"For free man? The stake is not
equal"
'I would add to it my finest courser." "
81 need him not; my feet are swifter
than an Arab steed.'
"What wouldst thou, then?"
81 have fancy, sublime signior
Until this day have been nothing but
wanderer, wearing the dress of a Jug
gler. Were 1 to complain of this 1
should DE ungrateful, for this simple
garb has ever seen me free and happy.
[, however, renounce it. / become
your slave; my mirth shall be for you
alone; I W i'll sing for you Indian songs;
and, above all, I will divine for none but
you. In return I will ask but one
thing it is, if'sI win, to allow me to
wear your royal mantle for ten minutes;
to sit upon the divan, surrounded by
slaves, and to place upon my head that
dreaded turban, whose fame has reached
to the ends of the earth
The proposition of Mehalle was re-
ceived with burst of laughter from the
Sultan. "Thou wouldst sit upon the
seat of the Caliphs T. Dost thou not
fear the weight of this turban upon thy
silly head? A fine figure thou wouldst
make under the pelisse of Ottoman l
should like to see thee giving audience
to the viziers and pashas.
"It is in your Highness' power to af-
ford yourself this pleasure.
"Well," exclaimed Mustapha, 81 will
agree to the stake. A juggler upon the
throne! Such a sight the East never
saw" .-.,
The game was short. Though he
played with skill, the Sultan was check
mated. 1t was fairly done, and he pres
emily prepared to fulfill his engage
ment.
Mustapha loosened his girdle, took off
his pelisse, and laid down his turban,
while slave assisted to invest Mehalle
in the royal garments. These prepara-
tions completed, the Sultan, dressed
only in loose silken trowsers and a richly
embroidered vest, approached clock,
and, placing his finger on the dial
plate, "When the hand shall mark the
hour of eight" said he, 81 shall have
paid my wager, and then I will appoint
you my astrologer.
The juggler assembled the divan, and
having placed his, ,cimeter at his side,
he ordered the door to be thrown open
that the waiting courtiers might be ad-
mitted. The apartment, which the dim
light of evening rendered obscure, was
Immediately filed with muftis and
ulemas, agas of janizaries and pashas,