The Portland daily press., 1873-08-30
Ten Minutes i'm a Life.

of Mussulmen were assembled in a circle be
fore the mosque of ST. Sophia. Some were
standing. and others sitting cross-legged on
carpets spread upon the sand. By degrees
the group increased as the Moslems issued
from the mosque, and as passers by, prompted
by curiosity, remained TO see what was going
on.
In the midst of crowd of smokers
Young man of remarkably handsome features,
tn ugh somewhat bronzed by an Asiatic sun,
was seated befole small table, which was
covered with swords and brass balls. He
was dressed in close jacket of green silk,
admirably fitted to set off his light and grace
fu figure. A girdle of antelope skin, on
which some mysterious characters were in
scribed in silver, confined pair of loose trow-
sers which were drawn close to the ankles
This ight and attractive dress was completed
BY Phrygan cap, from the top of which
hung small musical bell. By this costume,
once graceful and fantastic, it was easy to
recognize one of those jugglers whom the
feast of Beram drew every year to Stamboul,
and TO whom vas usually given the uame of
Zingaro.
The juggler performed his exploits without
appearing to notice the admiration he had ex-
cited. He took pigeons egg fIom smallmoss
basket, and, placing it upright on the table,
struck it with the edge of his sword without
injuring the shell. An incredulous bystander
took the egg to examine it, hut the slight
pressure of his fingers served to destroy the
f,al object that had resisted the blow of the
cimeter.
This act Of dexterity was followed by many
Others The boldness of the young man ter
r flied the usually impassiye Turks; and what
was yet more surprising, he made them smile
BY the amusing stories he related. Persons OF
his profession were generally silent, and their
only power of amusement lay in their fingers
ends; but this man possessed tie varied quail
tiles of an Indian juggler and an Arabian
story-teller.
One of the most enthusiastic admirers of
the performance was man apparently 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,
superintendent of the gardens and keeper Of
the privy purse to the Grand Signor. The
tricks ended, the young man completed his
story and gathered up his implements as if 10
depart
''Stopr said the Bostangi-Bassa sSince
you are such magician will you tel me the
Sultan favorite fioRer"
''The poppy of Aleppo; it is red," replied
the juggler, without moments hesitation.
''At what time docs the Sultan Sleep" re-
suned the Bostaug
''Neverl said the juggler.
The Bassa started and looked anXiousy
this answer. Then beckoning the juggler to
approach, and lowering his voice, he asked
him:
''Can you name the Sultan's favorite
wife?"
'.Assarach," replied the diviner.
The Bostangi put his fingers on his lips in
silence, and, moving away, said:
''Follow mep
The yong man took up his yataghan, and
leaving the remainder of his effects to be car
iied by a slave, followed his guide to the
great door of the palace.
The history of successive sultans often pre-
sents little beyond the melancholy spectacle
Of throne at the mercy of a awless soldiery.
Mahmoud was not the first of his race who
sought to free the seraglio fiom those formid-
able guardians. Solyman Ill. 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 defending the Emperor. but in re-
ally to seize upon his throne. The Sultan
Mustapha, had commenced his reign in aDx-
ETY. and uueasiness which must ever attend tho
acts of an usurper and tyrant. Sordid, sus-
picieus and perfidious, 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 their taxes he doubled them, He
lived buried in the depths of his palace, the
care of which he had confded to the Greek
soldery, Notwithstanding the murmers of the
legitimate guards. The mutes, dwarfs and
buffoons of the palace could alone obtain access
to his premises.
AT the time the jugger was amusing the
subjects of his highness, Mustapha was seat
ed cross-legged on his dvan, seeking to drive
away his ennui by watching the columns OF
fragrant smoke as they slowly rose from the
long tube OF his nargileh. A slave stood be-
side him, holding feather fan of various colers.
The bulfoons OF the palace had vainly tried to
extort s nile from their master. The impassi-
bility Of the Grand Signor gave then to under
stanl that their time was i-chosen, and that
mirta would be dangerous. They had ,one after
the other, quilted the apartment, to re-enter
at the good pleasure of the prince. The pal
ace was all silent
Shortly The hangings opposite the divan
were gently raised, and a man stood in re-
spectfu attitude before Mustapqa.
'sWhat would st tn ou?' asked the Sultan.
The Bostangi-Bassa-for it was he-replied
briefly, according to the custom of the serag-
lio:
"a iuggler stands without. He Hhghtp er-
chasee ;,,s :, amuse your highnesss
Inc Sultan made an ipaPatlent sign in the
negative.
"This man, continued the Bassa, ''knows
strange things. He can read the future"
.sLet him come imp
The BOstangi bowed profoundly and retired
Back slaves, armed with drawn cimeters,
surrounded the imperial sofa, when the Jug
gler was introduced After slight sauta-
tion the young man leaned gracefully on his
yataghan, awaiting the orders of the Sultan.
Thy name?" demanded Mustapha.
"Meha le''
"Thy country ?"
''Jugglers have no country"
'Thy age?"
81 was five years old when you first girded
the sword OF Ottoman
'Whence ccmest thou?"
"From the Morea, Signior," replied the
jugyler.
The Sultan remained silent for a moment,
and then added, gaily:
Slnce you cap read the future, will put
your knowledge to the proof When people
know. the future they ought to know the
past'
''You say right, Signior. He who sees the
evening ar rise on the horizon has but to
turn his head to view the last rays of the set
ting sum-"
We'll, tell me how made my ablutions
yesterdayP"
''The first with Canary wine, the second
. with vine OF Cyprus, and the third with that
of Chios."
The chief of the believers smiled and stroked
his beard. He was indeed ia the habit of der
oSdtlug, III Juio respect, dS IN many OGnerS,
from the prescription of the Koran.
''Knowest rhoa," replied the sovereign,
whom the Zingaros answer had put in a
pleasant humor-''knowest thon that could
have thee bebeaded?"
'"Doubtless!' said the juggler. undauntedly
las ypu did the Spanish merchant who wa
tered bis wine before he sold it to you''
Mustapha applauded the knowledge of the
magician. lie hesitaled, nevertheless, before
ne Ventured to put the dread question that
tyrants, who are ever superstitious. never fail
to demand OF those who can read tile stars:
How long have to livep,
The Grand Signior assumed nersuosiro
tone, and even condescended to fiatter the or
gan Of destiny, in hopes of obtaining a favor
able answer i'''oi-
Thou art wonderful youth, said be
"Thou knowest things of which, beside thv.
self, the mutes only p ossess the secret. T
should wish to keep thee in my palace. will
make thee richer than all the merchant. Of
Galatea if thou will tell me the wear when
must die
Mehale 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 bis ewes for some moments unon tha