Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-15


beside thvself. the mutes only possess
the secret. | should wish to keep tnee
in nv palace. / will make thee richer
than ali the merchants Of Galatea IL
thou will tell me the year when | must
die" -
Mehalle approached the Sultan, ana,
taking his hand, appeared to study the
lines of its palm with great attention.
Having finished his examination, ne
went to the window and fixed his eyes
for some moments upon the heavens.
ssThe fires of Beiram are lighting up
the cupola of the grand mosque, SAID
he. slowly. ''Night is at hand
Mustapha anxiously awaited the an
swer of the astrologer. The latter con-
tinued in a mysterious manner:
s'The declining day still eclipses the
LIGHT of the consultations. Twill answer
you, Signior, when the evening star ap-
pears.
The Sultan made a movement OF inn
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 ever every other feeling
of the princes mind; and, turning to
the young man, then said:
ii am little accustomed to wait. 1
will do so, however, if thou canst amuse
me until the propitious hour arrives"
s'Would your highness like to see
some feats of juggling.?" asked Mehalle,
drawing his sabre from his scabbard.
No! no exclaimed the Sultan, max
ing the circle of slaves close in about
hin, GET cave tbV arms :"
''Would you prefer story, Signior 2
'sStories that lull an Arab to sleep
under his tent! No! | must have
something new. OF all known games,
there is but one care for, / used to play
it formerly; but now there is not per
son in the place who understands the
chess board.
The iuggler 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 a slave.
Before commencing the game the Sui
tan said:
eve are about to play. So far good !!
But should'st thou lose, what would l
gain ?"
"Since your highness does me the hon
or of playing against me, ] will stake
all that possess-this scimetar and my
liberty. But what if l win ?" added
the young man coolly, as he folded bis
arms.
"Should'st thou win will give thee
slave"
For free man: The stake is not
equal"
~ would add my finest courser."
81 do not need him. My feet are
swifter than those of any Arabian
steed"
"What wouldst thou, them"
81 have a fancy, Sublime SigniOr.
Until this day have been nothing bat a
wander, wearing the dress of a juggler.
Were to complain of this should be
ungrateful, for this simple garb has ev-
er seen me free and happy. l, howev-
er renounce it! | become your slave!
My mirth shall be for you alone. l
will sing for you Indian songs and,
above all, | will divine for none but
you! In return | will ask but one
thing. 1t is:-If l 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 Nathalie was re-
ceived with a burst of laughter by the
Sultan.
'sThou wouldst sit upon the seat of
Caliphs. Dost thou not fear the weight
of this tuTban upon thy silly head!
fine figure then thou wouldst make I'M
der the pelisse of Ottoman l should
like to see thee giving audience to the
vizers and pashas :"
1T is in your highness' power to af-
ford yourself this pleasure"
"Well," exclaimed Mustapha, Il will
agree to the stake. a juggler upon the
throne Such sight as the East never
saw"
The game was short. Though he
played with skill. the Sultan was check
mated. twas fairly done, and he pleas
antly prepared to fulfil his engagement.
Mustapha loosened his girdle, took off
his pelisse, and laid down his turban,
while a slave assisted to invest Mahalle
in the royal garments. These prepare
tions being 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, 81 shall have paid my
wager, and then | will appoint you my
astrologer."
The juggler assembled he.divan, and,
having placed his scimetar at his side
he ordered the door to be thrown open
that the waiting courtiers might be adj
mitted. The apartment, which the dim
light of evening rendered obscure, was
Immediately filled with muftis and ule- |
mas, agas of janizaries and pashas, |
great officers of the Porte, and foreign |
ambassadors. He next ordered a new
relay of guards to relieve those on duty, |
and then the withdrawal of all the per- |
sonal attendants. 1t was the work of /
moment. AS the fresh soldiers were |
walking in, sign from Mehalle caused |
the fiambeaux to be lighted, when, in |
the dazzling flood of illumination, he |
stood erect, received the homage of the |
and, fixing more firmly on his |
head the scarlet feathered turban, the |
emblem of power, he cried, in COM
tone,
''Let the standard be raised on ST So
phia. The people will salute it fro afar
at the fires of Beiram -
At these words an officer stepped forth
to execute the orders; Mustapha, who
had been sitting aside, at first amused
and then alarmed, arose to prevent him.
''Haggi Mohammed :" thundered the
nd interim Sultan, ''obey y
The aga bowed and retired Mehalle
added: "Let the imaums repair to the
mosque and offer up petitions for the
new Sultan CadilisGuier, have the
,omb of Mustapha opened In Scutari :"
The Sultan tried to smile. ''Keepers of
he treasury, continued Mehalle, ''dis-
ribute among the poor of Stamboul the
loardings of the late Sultan /"
Enough, buffoon !" exclaimed Musta-
)ha. in an agitated voice, on seeing how
'eadily his servants obeyed these strange
orders.
II still command" replied Mehalle.
With calm self-possession ''the clock
las not yet struck the hour of eight.
Art thou, then, so impatient to know the
ate that awaits thee 2"
The courtiers were at loss to under