The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-02-12

/ anu a
stood IN respectful attitude before
Mustapha.
'What wouldst thou?' asked the
Sultan.
The Bostangi-Baasa-for it was
he-replied briefly, according to the
custom Of the seragliO
a jaggler stands without; he
might perchance amuse your High.
ness.
The Sultan made an impatient sign
in the negative.
This man. continued the Bassa,
'knows strange things. He can read
the future.'
Let HIM come in
The Bostangi bowed profoundly
and retired.
Black slaves, armed with cim etars,
surrounded the imperial sofa when
the juggler was introduced. After a
slight salutation, the young man
leaned gracefully on his yataghan,
awaiting the orders of the Sultan.
'Thy name p demanded Mustapha.
sMehalle.'
'Thy countryf'
'Jugglers have no country
THY age?'
Il was five years old when you
first girded on the sword of Otto
man.
whence comest thou p
'From the Morea, signior,' replied
the juggler, pronouncing the words
with emphasis.
The Sultan remained silent for a
moment but soon added, gaily.
Since you can read the future, !
will put your knowledge to 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-
well, tell me how | made my
ablutions yesterday
the first with Canary wine, the
second with wine of Cyprus, and the
tnlrd with That OF ChlOs.
The chief of the believers smiled
and s,roked his head he was indeed
in the habit of derogating in this re.
spect as in many others, from the
prescription of the Koran.
'Knowest thou replied the sover-
eigp, whom the Zingaro's answer
had put into a pleasant humor,
'knowest thou that could have thee
beheaded p
Doubtless said the juggler, un-
dauntedly, 'as you did the Spanish
merchant who watered his wine be-
fore he sold it to you
Mustapha applauded the know
ledge Of the magician. He hesitated, (,
nevertheless, before he ventured to
put the dreaded question that tyrants,
who are ever superstitious, never
fail to demand Of those who can rea
the stars.
'How long have / to live p
The Grand Signior assumed per
suasive tone, and even condescended
to tlatter the organ of destiny, in
hopes of obtaining favorable an
swer.
'Thou art wonderful YOUTH said
he; thou knowest things Of which,
besides thyself, the mutes only pos
sess the secret. / should wish to
keep thee in my palace; | will make
thee richer than all the merchants OF
Galatea # thou wilt tell me the year
when | must de-
Mehalle approached the Sultan,
and, taking his hand, appeared to
study the lines of its palm with great
attention. Having finished the ex-
animation, he went to the window
and fixed his eyes for some moments
upon the heavens.
tThe fires of Beiram are lighting
up the cupola of the grand mosque,
said he slowly; might is at hand
Mustapha anxiously awaited the
answer of the astrologer. The latter
continued in mysterious manner:
'The declining day still eclipses
tie light of the considerations. i will
answer you, signior, when the eve
ming star appears.
The Sultan made movement OF
impotence; anger was depicted in
his countenance, and the look which
he darted on the mutes showed
Mehalle that be had incurred his
Highness' displeasure. Curiosity,
however, doubtless prevailed over
every other feeling of the princes
mind, for, turning to the young man,
he said:
Il am little accustomed to wait; /
will do SO, however, if thou canst
amuse me until the propitious hour
arrives
Would your Highness like to see
some feats of juggling p asked
Mehalle, drawing his sabre from its
scabbard.
:No, nov exclaimed the Sultan,
making the circles of slaves close in
about him. Leave thy arms!'
Would you prefer story, signior?'
'Stories that lull an Arab to sleep
under his tent? No, must have
something new. Of all known games
there is but one l care for; used
to plsy it formerly, but now there is
not person in the palace who un.
derstands the chess board
The juggler smiled, and, taking an
ebony box from a velvet bag, he
presented it to, the Sultan, whose
wish he understood.
The stern couutenance of the Sui
tan relaxed at the sight, and the
board was placed on the bowed back
of slave. Before commencing the
game the Sultan said:
'We are about to play; so far,
good; but shouldst thou lose what
should | gain p
Since your Highness does me the
honor of playing agaist me, / will
stake all that | possess-this cimitar
and my liberty. but what if | win p
added the young man folding his
arms.
'Shouldst thou win | would give
thee slave
sFor a free man? The stake is not
equal
81 would add my finest courser.'
Il need him not; my feet are swift
er than an Arab steed.'
What wouldst thou, then?'
Il have a fancy, sublime signior.
Until this day / have been nothing
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