Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-08-14
AN EASTERN ROMANCE IN REAL
LIFE.

Mr.. J. VI. FRANCIS, our Consul at
Athens, Greece, writes to the Troy Times
as follows:
\ few years since there lived in Bebek,
village on the Bosphorus some six miles
above Constantinople, an elderly Greek
gentleman named Tchelby YOrgaky. A
warm-hearted, genial old gentleman was
Mr. YOrgaky. He was the possessor of
some property in real estate, and a suffic
lent income was derived from this source
to supply the moderate wants of himself
and his aniablc wife, leaving balance
more or less which was distributed for
charitable objects. They had no children.
The venerable couple were very happy in
each others society; they had few init
mate associates outside. But among these
was friend OF ours, an eminent American
citizen, who for some time resided near
their dwelling in Bebek One day our
friend was invited to spend social even
ing with Mr.. Yorgaky, the latter saying
that # agreeable he would on this Occa
sion relate some facts of his family history
which might possibly prove interesting
as constituting a strange chapter of real
life at the East Our friend promptly ac-
cepted the invitation, as any live Yankee
would have done under this stimulus to
curiosity. The old gcntleman's statement
and our friend vouchsafed for Yorga-
ky's character for truthfulness after an in
innate acquaintance with him for many
years-was substantially as follows:
My fathers name was Yohannis GirOs
His father carried on the bakery business.
AT quite an early age Yohannis was en-
ployed as bread seller at his fathers stall,
near the Egyptian bazaar at Stamboul
There he made the acquaintance of
Turkish boy, Of about his own age,
named lbrahim, who was employed as
salesman in his fathers tobacco shop
close by. A remarkable friendship grew
up between these two boys. All their
leisure time they spent in each others
society. They INDUCED in sports to-
gether. They talked over plans of bust
not be separated a single day. They
would achieve fortune, and share their
wealth together. These were the day
dreams of Yohanpis and Ibrahim Time
wore on. The boys had attained the age of
seventeen or eighteen years. Ibrahim's
father secured for his son a situation as
tchiboukgi (pipe bearer) to the Pasha of
Bagdad. This was great honor for boy
in humble circumstances. But Ibrahim
did not desire the place, for it would take
him far, far away from Yohannis Par
entail decision, however, was omnipotent
in the case, and go he must But before
separating the boys had a long confer
ence together. II must CO." said Ibra-
him, "but l shall return to CONSTANT
1iople as pasha, and then you will share
my honors and fortune" The separation
of 1ohannis and Ibrahim was painful
When the final adieu was spoken each
pledged the other that his friendship
should remain constant so long as life
endured. 4ohanniS sorrowfully returned
to his business at the bread stall Ibrahim
accompanied his master on the long Jour
ney to Bagdad.
Years passed by; Yohannis succeeded
to the humble business of his father on the
decease of the latter; he married, and was
blessed, as the poor are so often blessed,
with many children. BY steady industry
and strict economy he was barely enabled
to support his large family comfortably
His mind frequently dwelt upon the
scenes and loves of youthful days, and the
Turkish boy Ibrahim was always cen
trail figure in these memories. A dozen
years prior to this time he heard that his
dear friend of boyhood's days had died,
but the memory of that friend was rever-
emily cherished by him; one so dearly
loved in the fervor of youth could not be
forgotten by the generous hearted Yohan-
mis- amid the cares and struggles of life
of toll
One afternoon, while partaking of his
frugal meal, and while surrounded by his
Youthful family, Yohannis was startled by
the appearance of very unwelcome visi-
tor-tthe chief police officer of the Sublime
e Porte The official announced to Yohan.
mis- that he must accompany him imme
diately to the Porte In those barbaric
DAYS such a summons meant condemna
ton and death, often without any ass gna
BILE or known cause. Yohannis and his
family were terrified; they pleaded for de
lay But the officer was inexorable. 70
hannis was dragged away amid the pit