Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-08-13
AN EASTERN ROMANCE IN REAL
LIFE.

MIR. J. M FRANCIS our Consul at
Athens, Greece, writes to the Troy Times
as follows:
A few years since there lived in Bebek,
village on the Bosphorus some six miles
above Constantinople, an elderly Greek
gentleman named Tchclby Yorgaky. A
warm-hearted, genial old gentleman was
Mr.. Yorgaky. He was the possessor of
some property in real estate, and suff1c-
lent income was derived from this source
to supply the moderate wants of himself
and his amiable 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 a 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 if 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 &C
cepted the invitation, as any live Yankee
would have done under this stimulus to
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 a
Turkish boy, of about his own age,
named Ibrahim, 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
ness by which in future years they might
not be separated a single day. They
would achieve fortune, and share their
wealth together. These were the day
dreams of Yohannis and Ibrahim Time
wore on. The boys had attained the age of
seventeen or eighteen years. Ibrahim's
father secured for his son situation as
tchiboukgi (pipe bearer) to the Pasha :
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 long confer
ence together. 81 must CO." said Ibra-
him, "but [ shall return to CONSTANT
nople as pasha, and then you will share
my honors and fortune" The separation
of Yohannis 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 Yohannis 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 Gen.
trail figure in these memories A dozen
years prior to this time he heard that Lis