Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-06-01
Hoaxers HOaxed.

Two adventures of the lower class, see
ing the favor which the Franks enjoyed
with the Sultan, Selim H., who died in
1907, and how very easy he was of access,
resolved, if possible, to profit by the lib
crafty of this muniticent Prince; and sue
cess appeared To them easy, If they could
but present him with some novelty, no
matter how strange or ridiculous their in
yention might be, providing they could
make il pass for European. After devils
ing and rejecting various plans 10 make
the Sultan draw his purse.strings, they at
last hit upon the following scheme: They
caused report 10 be spread that a
stranger had recently arrived in the city,
bringing with him wonderful bear,
which could play extremely we'll upon
the piano forte. Gossip fame soon spread
the news; and the Sultan gave orders that
the bear should be brought to exhibit its
wonderful talents 10 his sublime pres
ence. Accordingly, at the appointed
hour, the bear and his leader, rejolced in
what they considered the sudden success
OF their scheme, took the road to the
seraglio. Being introduced Into the in
terror apartments, they were conducted
into one, where, concealed behind vene-
tian blinds, all the ladies OF the harem
were waiting tue arrival of the Sultan,
that the wonderful spectacle might begin.
Their impotence was soon gratitled; his
liighness arrived, and the moment he en-
| tered he was observed To regard bruln
very attentively. Animated with the hope
of pleasing the royal spectator, our bear
performed wonders; he danced, caressed
his master, and played variety of tricks
TO which the Sultan paid great attention.
| At last came the great trial of bruins
powers; he was ordered by his master to
| play. Raising himself on his hind legs,
he performed, with his fore. paws, a
piece of music in the best style; and cap
tlvated the Sultan so completely,
| that he eagerly asked the owner Of
this wonderful animal to set price upon
! him. This unexpected proposal threw
| bruin into great confusion, and 1t in
creased when he found that his master,
fearful lest an abrupt refusal should dis.
cover the trick, appeared inclined 10 come
10 terms. pray" whispered the bear,
while he appeared To caress his leader,
{" do not leave me herew but the caresses
which he gave his master made the Sultan
more eager 10 purchase him. AT last the
| pretended owner thought TO put an end Ia
| u sCcut WHICH hc PLAINLY PNiNN''N' W. 'it'
could not sustain much longer, by de-
handing an exorbitant price Tor him.
#" Count the sum required" cried the
magnificent Selim, land take this animal
| TO my menagerie." The first part OF the
order was instantly obeyed by the khasna'
der, and the other officers approached the
bear to fulfill the second part OF il.
Till now our animal behaved with won
derful gentleness; but the moment was
arrived when he found it necessary To
show that he possessed all the ferceness
Of his species EnTenching himself in
the angle OF the apartment which was OPP
posite lire door, he waited impatiently till
he saw it open, when, suddenly raising
himself on his hind. legs, he rushed out,
followed by his leader. No one offered IL
stop him, because they thought his mas
ter pursued In order 10 bring him back
One might suppose that Sultan Seiim
would have been sufficiently exasperated
TO have set price upon the heads OF the
two impudcnt knaves-but having, from
the moment he saw the bear, penetrated
the trick, the only revenge which he de.
termined 10 take was To give them hearty
fright In return for the insult they had
offered.