The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-04-18

ears had heard this answer Then
reckoning the juggler to approach. and
lowering his voice, he asked:
"Can you name the Sultan's fsvont'
wife p
"Assarach, replied the diviner.
The Bostangi put his fingers ON hi
lips in silence, and, moving away, said
Follow me =
The young man took up his yataghan
and, leaving the remainder of his effects
to be carried by slave, followed his
guide toward the great door of the
palace.
The history Of successive Sultans
often presents little beyond the melan-
ancholy spectacle of a throne at the
mercy of lawless soldiey. Mahmoud
was not the first of his race who sought
to free the seraglio from these formid-
able guardians. SOY yman III. had also
formed this perilous design. but he was
put to death by the janizaries, 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 Mus
tapha, who had commenced his reign in
such q tragic manner, experienced all
the 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 diminished it;
instead of lessening the taxes, he
doubled them. He lived buried in the
depths of his palace, the care Of which
he had confded to the Greek soldiery,
notwithstanding the murmurs of the le-
gitimate guards The mutes, dwarfs,
and buffoons of the palace could alone
obtain access to his presence
At the time the juggler was amusing
the subjects of his Hiehness. Mustapha
was seated cross-legged on his divan,
seeking to drive away his ennui by
the columns of fragrant smoke
As they slowly rose from the long tube
Of his nargileh. A slave stood beside
him, holding feathered fan of various
colors. The buffoons of the palace had
vainly tried to extort a smile from tn eir
master. The impassibility of the Grand
Signior gave them to understand that
heir time was ill-chosen, and that
nirth would be dangerous; they had,
one after the other, quilted
he apartment, waiting to re-enter at
he good pleasure of the prince. The
palace was silent.
Shortly the hangings opposite the
livan were gently raised, and a man
'tood in respectful attitude before Mus
apha.
"What wouldst thou?" asked the
sultan.
The Bostangi- Bassa-for If was he
epied briefly, according to the custom
4 the seraglio:
ga juggler stands without; he might
'erchance amuse your Highness."
The Sultan made an inpatient sign in
he negative.
"This man." continued the Bassa,
knows strange things. He can read
be future"
"Let him come in"
The Bostangi bowed profoundly and
etired.
Black slaves, armed with cimeters,
the imperial sofa when the
nggler was introduced After a slight
aiuta.;on, the young man leaned grace
nlly on his yataghan, awaiting the
riders of the Sultan.
Thy name?" demanded Mustapha-
'Mehalle."
Thy country"
"Jugglers have no country"
'Thy age?"
81 was five years old when you first
irded on the sword Of Ottoman"
sWhence CONTEST thou?"
Prom the Morea, signior, /" replied
ne juggler, pronouncing the words
18th emphasis.
The Sultan remained silent for mo-
lent, but soon added, gayly.
''Since you can read the future, will
mt your knowledge to the proof When
eople know the future they ought to
now the past"
"You say right, signior. He who