The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-09-12
An Eastern Romance i'm Real
LiGes

Mr.. j. M. Francis, our Consul at
Athens, Greece, writes to the Troy
Times as follows:
A few years since there lived in Be-
bek, a village on the Bosphorus some
| six miles above Constantinople, an ell
derly 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 sufficient income was de- |
rived from this source to supply the |
amiable wife, leaving balance more or
less which was distributed for chari- |
table objects. They had no children. |
The venerable couple were very happy |
i'll 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
a social evening with Mr.. Yorgaky, the
latter saying that if agreeable he would
his family history which might possibly
prove interesting as constituting
strange chapter of real life at the East.
Our friend promptly accepted the invi-
tation, as any live Yankee would have
done under this stimulus to curiosity.
The old gentleman's statement-and
our friend vOuchsafed for YOrgaky's
character for truthfulness after an in
innate acquaintance with him for many
years--was substantially as follows:
My fathers name was YOhannis Gil
rOs. His father carried on the bakery
business. At quite an early age YO-
hannis was employed as bread seller: at
his fathers stall, near the Egyptian
| ha7a0T of Sfor1 h0nI Tharn no T11aHn
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 re-
these two boys. All their leisure, time
they spent in each others society. They
indulged in sports together. They
talked over plans of business by which
in future. years they might not be sepa-
rated a single day. They would achieve
fortune, and share their wealth tOgeth-
hannis and Ibrahim. Time wore on.
The boys had attained the age of seven
teen or eighteen years. lbrahlm's father
secured for his son situation as tchi
boukgi (pipe bearer) to the Pasha of
Bagdad. This was great honor for a
boy in humble circumstances. But
Ibrahim did not desire the place, for it
would take him far, far away from YO-
hannis. Parental decision, however,
was omnipotent in the case, and go he
must. But before separating the boys
mus co." said Ibrahim, but shall re-
turn to Constantinople as pasha, and
then you will share my hOnOrs and for
tune" The separation of YOhannis
and Ibrahim was painful. When the
final adieu was spoken, each pledged
the other that his friendship should re-
main constant so long as life endured.
Yohannis sorrowfully returned to his
business at the bread-stall; Ibrahim
accompanied his master on the long
journey 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 Of
ten blessed, with many children. By
steady industry and strict economy he
was barely enabled to support his large
. family comfortably. His mind fire.
que1tly dwelt upon the scenes and loves
, of youthful days, and the Turkish boy
Ibrahim was always central 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 himS one SO dearly
- loved in the fervor of youth could not
be forgotten by, the generous-hearted
YOhannis 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 start
|. led by the appearance OF very unWel-
come yisitor-the chief police officer OF
= the Sublime Porte. The official an
nounced to Yohannis that he must &C
company him Immediately to the Porte
In those barbaric days such summons
: meant condemnation and death, otter
!. without any assignable or known cause
Yohannis and his family We're terrified
they pleaded for delay. But the Officer
was inexorable. YOhannis was dragged
away amid the piteous cries and plead
ings of his wife and children. Arrived
at the Porte, the officer conducted hi
prisoner through long hall witt
n guards stationed on either side, to th'
door of an apartment, where at a giVel
signal the door opened, and 1OhannI
was at once brought face to face witt
the Grand Vizier.
"This is our sublime master, tn
o Grand Vizier,n said the officer. Yohan
mis- Immediately prostrated himself be
fore that august parsonage, and com
menced pleading very earnestly for III
life. Spare me, sublime master, spar
me- he CALCULATED; "spape me for tn
sake of my innocent and dependen
wife and children, If not on aceoun
of nv innocence of all wrong doing
- WHY should / be brought here to b
- made the victim of the bowstring or th
axe2 7 have been good and peace
nd able subject of his majesty; / hay
y ~ earned bread for myself and family 3