Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-15
Ten Minutes lIa I. Life,


In the year 1905 of the Hegira-cor-
responding to 1857 OF the Christian era
ON the second day of the feast OF Bel
ram, large group of Mussulmen were
assembled in circle before the mosque
of st. Sophia Some were standing,
and others sitting cross-legged on car
pets spread upon the sand. BY degrees
the group increased as the Moslems Is
sued from the mosque, and as passers
by, prompted by curiosity, renamed 10
see what was going on.
In the midst of crowd of smokers a
Young man of remarkably handsome
features, though somewhat brOnzed by
all Asiatic sun, was seated before a small
table, which was covered with swords
and brass balls. He was dressed in
close Jacket of green silk, admirably lit
ted to set off his light and graceful fig
ure. A girdle of antelope skin, on
which some mysterious characters were
inscribed in silver, confined pair OF
loose trowsers which were drawn close
to the ankles This light and attractive
dress was completed by Phrygian cap,
from the top of which hung small mu-
steal bell. By this costume, at once
graceful and fantastic, it was easy to re-
cognize one of those jugglers whom the
feast of Beiram drew every year to
STEAMBOAT, and to whom was usually Civ
| en- the name of Zingaro.
The iuggler performed his exploits
without appearing to notice the admira-
| ton he had excited. He took a pigeons
egg from a small moss basket, and, plac-
| ING it upright on the table, struck 1t
| with the edge of his sword without in
| turing the she'll An incredulOus by
stander took the egg to examine it, but
| the slight pressure of his fingers served
| to destroy the frail object that had re-
sisted the blow of the cImeter.
This act of dexterity was followed by
! many others. The boldness of the young
man terrified the usually impassive
| Turks and, what was yet more sur
prising, he made them smile by the
! amusing stories he related. Persons of
his profession were generally silent, and
their only power of amusement lay III
their fingers ends; but this man pos
sessed the varied qualities of an Indian
! iuggler and an Arabian stOry-teller.
One of the most enthusiastic admirers
| of the performance was man apparent
| lv about forty years old, whose carpet
was placed in the first circle, and whose
dress denoted him to be of superior rank.
| 1t was the Bostangi-Bassa, superinten-
dent of the gardens and keeper of the
privy purse to the Grand Signior. The
tricks ended, the young man completed
his story and gathered up his nipple
ments as if to depart.
stop" said the Bostangi-Bassa.
''Since you are such a magician will
you tell me the Sultans favorite
fiower?"
1.-The poppy of Aleppo; it is red" re-
piled the juggler, without moments
hesitation.
cat what time does the Sultan sleep? ?"
resumed the Bostangi.
"Never!" said the juggler.
The Bassa started and looked anxious
w around him, fearing lest other ears
had heard this answer. Then, beckon-
ing the juggler to approach, and lower
ing his voice, he asked him;
''Can you name the Sultan's fayorite
wife ?"
"Assarach, replied the diviner.
The Bostangi put his fingers on his
lips in silence, and, moving away,
| said:
'Follow me :"
The yoang man took up his yataghan,
and leaving the remainder of his effect
! to be carried by a slave, followed his
! guide toward the great door of the pal
ace.
The history of successive sultans of
ten presents little beyond the melan-
| choly spectacle of a throne at the mer-
cy of a lawless soldiery. Mahmoud
was not the first of his race who sought
! to free the seraglio from those formula
| bic guardians. Solyman III. had also
al Il E,,t 1,o
] put to death by the ianiZaries led by
| Mustapha, his uncle, who came from the
| Morea for the ostensible purpose of de-
| Tending the Emperor, but in reality to
seize upon his throne. The Sultan
| Mustapha, had commenced his
reign in anxiety and uneasiness which
must ever attend the acts of an usurper
| and tyrant. Sordid, suspicious and per
| fidiouS, he broke through every promise
he had made to the janizaries, whose
! creature, nevertheless, he was. Instead
of doubling their pay, he diminishe it
instead of lesSening the taxes, he dOub-
led them. He lived buried in the depths
of his palace, the care of which he had
confided to the Greek soldiery. notwith-
standing the murmms of the legitimate
guards. The mutes, dwarfs and buff
foOns of the palace could alone obtain
access to his premises.
At the time the juggler was amusing
the subjects of his highncss, Mustapha
was seated cross-legged on his divan,
seeking to drive away hisennui by watch
ing the columns of fragrant smoke as
they slowly rose from the long tube of
his nargileh A slave stood beside him,
holding a feather fan of various colors.
The buffoons of the palace had vainlv
tried to eXtort a smile from their mas
ter. The impassability of the Grand
SigniOr gave them to understand that
their time was ill-chosen, and that mirth
would be dangerous. They had. one af-
ter the other, quilted the apartment, to
re-enter at the good pleasure of the
prince. The palace was all silent.
Shortly the Langings opposite the di-
van were gently raised, and man stood
in respectful attitude before Mustapha.
What wOuldst thou asked the Sui
tan.
The Bostangi-Bassa-fo it was he
replied briefly, according to the custom
of the seraglio:
"a juggler stands without He might,
perchance, amuse your highness'
The Sultan made an impatient sign in
the negative.
illS iIIdIly COullHuCu Tue 10dSSd,
''knows strange things. He can read
the future"
''Let him come in"
The Bostangi bowed profoundly and
retired.
Black slaves, armed with drawn cine
tiers, surrounded the imperial sofa,
when the juggler was introduced. AT
ter slight salutation the young man
leaned gracefully on his yataghan.
awaiting the orders of the Sultan.
''Thy name 2" demanded Mustapha.
''Mehalle"
"Thy country ?"
''Jugglers have no country"
''Thy age?"
81 was five years old when you
first girded the sword of Ottoman.
whence contest thou p
"From the Morea, Signior,' replied
the juggler.
The Sultan remained silent for mo-
ment, and then added, gaily:
SESinpa Won oap rood 7