The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-02-12
TEN MINUTES OF A LIFETIME.


In the year 1865 of the Hegira-
corresponding to 1857 of the Chris.
tian era-on the second day of the
feast of Beiram, a large group of
Mussulman were assembled in a
circle before the Mosque of st Sophia.
Some were standing, and others sit.
ting cross-legged on carpets spread
upon the sand. The group increased
as the Moslems issued from the
mosque, and as passers-by, prompted
by curiosity, remained to see what
was going on.
In the midst Of crowd of smokers,
a young man of remarkable hand
some features, though somewhat
bronzed by an Asiatic sun, was seat.
ed before a small table, which was
crovered with swords and brass
bells. He was dressed in a close
jacket of green silk, admirably fitted
to set off his light and graceful fig
ure; a glrdle of antelope skin, on
which some mysterious characters
were inscribed in silver, confined a
pair of loose trowsers which were
drawn close at the ankle. This light
and attractive dress was completed
by Phrygian cap, from the top OF
which hung a small musical bell. BY
this costume, at once graceful and
fantastic, it was easy to recognize
one of those jugglers whom the feast
of Bsiram drew every year to STAN
bould and to whom was usually
given the name of Zingaro.
The juggler performed his exploits
without appearing to notice the ad
miration he excited. He took a
pigeons egg from a small moss
basket, and placing it upright Oh
the table, struck it with the edge OF
his sword without injuring the shell.
An incredulous bystander took the
egg to examine it, but the slight
pressue of his finger served to dis
troy the frail object that had resisted
the blow of the cimetar.
This act of dexterity was followed
by many others. The boldness OF
the young man terrified the usually
impassiye Turks /; and, what was yet
more surprising, he made them smile
BY the amusing stories he related.
Persons of his profession were gener-
ally silent, and their only power OF
amusement lay in their fingers ends;
but this man possessed the varied
qualities of an Indian juggler and an
Arabian storyteller.
One of the most enthusiastic ad
mirers of the performances was a
man apparently about forty years old
whose carpet was placed in the first
circle, and whose dress denoted him
to be of superior rank. II was the
Bostangi-Bassa, superintendent OF
the gardens and keepers of the privy
purse to the Grand Signior. The
tricks ended, the young man com
pleted his story, and gathered up his
implements as if to depart.
Stop said the Bostaugi Bassa.
'Since you are such a magician, will
you tell me the Sultan's favorte
fower?'
'The poppy of Aleppo; it is red,
replied the juggler without a mo-
ment's hesitation.
'At what time does the Sultan
sleep p resumed the Bostangi.
'Never!' said the juggler.
The Bassa started and looked
anxiously around him, fearing lest
other ears had heard this answer.
Then beckoning the juggler to ap-
proach, and, lowering his voice, he
asked:
'Can you name the Sultan's favor
ite wife ?
sAssarach, replied the diviner.
The Bostangi put his fingers on
his lips in silence, and, moving away,
said
Follow me!'
The young man took up his
yataghan, and leaving the remaipder
of his effects TO be carried by slave,
followed his guide toward the great
door of the palace.
The history OF successive Sultans
often presents little beyond the
melancholy spectacle of throne at
the mercy of lawless soldiery.
Mahmoun was not the first of his
race who sought to free the seraglin
from these formidable guardians.
Solyman III. had also formed this
perilous design, but he was put to
death by the janizaries, led by
Mustapha, his uncle, who came from
the Morea for the ostensible purpose
of defending the emperor, but in
reality to seize upon his throne. The
Sultan Mustapha, who had com
menced his reign in such a tragic
manner, experienced all the anxiety
and uneasiness which must ever at.
tain the acts of an usurper and tyrant.
Sordid, suspicious, and perfdious,
he broke through ever promise he
had made to the janizaries, whose
creature, nevertheless, he was. In.
stead of doubling their pay, he
diminished it; instead of lessening
the taxes, he doubled them. He
lived buried in the depths of his
palace, the care of which he had
confined to the Greek soldiery, not
withstanding the murmurs of the
legitimate guards. The mutes,
dwarfs, and buffoons of the palace
could alone obtain access to his
presence.
At the time the juggler was anus
ing the subjects of his Highness,
Mustapha was seated cross legged
on his divan, seeking to drive away
his ennui by watching the columns
of fragrant smoke as they slowly
rose from the long tube of his mar.
gileh. A slave stood beside him,
holding feathered fan of various
colors. The buffoons of the palace
had vainly tried to extort smile
from their master. The impassibili.
ty of the Grand Signior gave them
to understand that their time was ILL
chosen, and that mirth would be
dangerous they had, therefore, one