Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-17

1
"Mehalle'
THY country?"
"Jugglers have no country
THY age?"
II was five years old when you first
| girded on the sword of Ottoman"
"Whence contest thOu?"
"From the Morea, signior," replied the
juggler pronouncing the words with en-
phaSis.
The Sultan remained silent moment,
but soon added, gayly:
Since you can 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 star rise on the horizon has
but to turn his head to view the last rays
of the setting SUM-
We'll, tell me how | made my additions
yesterday"
The first with Canary wine, the second
with wine of Cyprus, and the third with
| that of Chios.'
| The Chief of the Believers smiled and
stroked his beard; he was indeed in the
habit of derogating in this respect, as in
many others, from the prescription Of the
| Koran.
| "Knowest thou" replied the sovereign
whom the Zingaro's answer had put into "a
| pleasant humor, "knowest thou that
could have thee beheaded?"
''Doubtless," said the juggler, undaunt-
| eddy, las you did the Spanish merchant
! who watered his wine before he sold it to
you"
| Mustapha applauaed the knowIedge..of
| the magician. He hesitated, nevertheless,
| before he ventured to put the dreaded
| question that tyrants, who are ever super
stitious, never fail to demand of those who
can read the stars:
How long have | to live?"
The Grand Signior assumed persuasive
| tone, and even condescended to t1atter the
organ of destiny, in hopes of obtaining a
| favorable answer.
Thou art a wonderful YOUTH said he j;
| thou knowest things of which, besides
| myself the mutes only possess the secret.
[ should wish to keep thee in my palace;
| will make thee richer than all the mer-
chants of Galatea, if thou wilt tell me the
year when | must die"
| Mehalle approached the Sultan, and tax
| ing his hand, appeared to study the lines
| of its palm with great attention. Having
| finished his examination, he went to the
window and fixed his eyes for some mo-
| ments upon the heavens.
The fires of Beiram are lighting up the
| cupola of the grand mosque said he,
slowly; might is at hand"
Mustapha anXi0usly awaited the an
swer of the astrologer The latter continued
in mysterious manner:
| The declining day still eclipses the
| light of the consultations. | will answer
YOU, signOr, when the evening star APP
pears"
The Sultan made a move of Impotence;
anger was depicted in his countenance,
and the look which he darted on the mutes
| showed Mehalle that he had incurred his
| Highnesss displeasure. Curiosity, how
ever, doubtless prevailed over every other
feeling of the princes mind for, turning
to the young man, he said:
Il am little accustomed to wait: I will
do so, however, if thou canst amuse me I'm
til the propitious hour arrives"
Would your Highness like to see some
feats of juggling:" asked Mehaile, draw
ing his sabre from It's scabbard.
No, no" exclaimed the Sultan, max
ing the circle of slaves close in about him
! Leave thy arms''
Would you prefer story, signior?"
"Storles 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 a person in the pal
ace who understands the cheSs-bQard.'
The iuggIer smiled, and, taking an eb-
Onv box from a velvet bag, he presented
it to the Sultan, whose wish he under
stood.
The stern cOuntenance of the Sultan re
| Taxed at the sight, and the board was
placed on the bowed back of slave
| Before commencing the game the Sultan
said:
I'VE are about to play; so far, good ;
but shOuldst thou lose, what should |
| gain"
Since your Highness does me the hon
or of PLAYING against me, will stake all
that | possess-this scimetar and my lib
ertv. But what if | VIM" added the
young man, folding his arms
| <'ShOuldst thou win, [ would give thee Il
slave"
For free MANI The stake is not
equal"
Il would add to it my finest courser."
II need him not; my feet are switter
than an Arab steed."
What wouldst thou then?'
Il have a fancy, sublime signior Until
this day | have been nothing but
a wanderer, wearing the dress
"a iuggler. Were | to complain OF this
| should be un@ratcful, for this simple
! garb has ever seen me free and happy. |
| however, renounce it. [ become your
slave; my mirth shall be for you alone; |
will sing for you Indian songs; and, above
all, I will divine for none but you. In
turn | will ask but one thing; it is, if |
win, to allow me to wear your royal man
tie for ten minutes; to sit upon the dlvan,
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 Mehalle was re
ceivcd with burst of laughter from the
Sultan. Thou wouldst sit upon the seat
of the Caliphs. Dost thou not fear the
weight of this turban upon thy silly head?
A fine figure thou wouldst make under
| the pelisse Of Ottoman! / should like to
see thee giving audience to the viziers
and pashas!'
1T is in your Highness' power to afford
yourself this pleasure
Well" exclaimed Mustapha, Il will
agree to the stake. 4 juggler upon the
throne. Such a sight the East never
| SAW
The game was short Though he play
ed with skill, the Sultan was checkmated.
1t was fairly done, and he presently pre-
pared to fulfill his engagement
Mustapha toosened his girdle, took off
his pelisse, and laid down his turban,