The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-03-27
LIELA'S ESCAPE
A Tale of Modern Constantinople,
With the Classic Rosphorus for
Background By Adelaide
Keen.

oacASrOunu BY AQSlSIQe
Keen.
Tophane is dark and evil quarter OF
Stamboul, very favorable for the slave
trade, which still fiouFishes ia Consian-
tinople. Instead Of bidding for souls
in the market place men now so secret
ly to the merchants there and pay their
gold for a negro eunuch or beautiful
woman. So have times changed in
1895.
Hassam lived in tottering house,
with age-hlackened lattices. The walls,
the street, the whole precinct reeked
with crime. The yellow dogs buddled
togetheron the stone s, miserable enough
were free and happy compared to the
men within. The gray ground, the
black and brown walls formed fitting
background for the picturesque people
crowding the narrow street-so narrow
that it could be spanned with extend
ed arms.
Hafia, gray-be ar,led and stately, stood
st his door A battered seller of yahon
and shernet in his leathern bottle,
stood near iii frank ainazemeHt, two
dervishes in green turbans and gray
skirts turned to leave, while several
old Jewesses with gold ear-hoops and
protruding teeth scolded the chattering
curious children, and pointed fe&rfully
at the patriarchal figure OF Haiiz.
The room inside was low and dark,
a fountain trickled softly in the centre,
some eight or ten negresses lay wrap
ped up in rugs, several thick-lipped
eunuchs, with silver earrings and nose
rings, stood iInmovable in their white
robes, while 5eyy of veiled women
clustered together, some whispering
and laughing under their breath. a
few, too despondent, sat apart with
bowed heads.
Hafiz cast his piercing eyes around
the room in stern examination. He
had been looking from his doorway,
seeking a possible customer.
al see noble pasha in the street.
He leaves the mosque Of Ell Semi and
comes here to buy. Smile, and the
plums of heaven will fall into your
mouths" \ galvanic shock seemed 10
affect the assembled slaves: backs
Strengthened and eyes frightened Wis
IDLY.
A poor, crippled beggar stopped to
rest i'll the shadow of the overhanging
second-story. Hafiz saw him and ex-
tended an imperious arm.
'Begone, miserable creature; you
blight my house. The great lord comes
here with good intentions. You cast
bad luck upon my trade"
master, | ain so tired
"Away, | say, you have the evil eye"
AT that moment two stout men ser
wants drew near, making way for their
master, pushing aside with their
sheathed swords the curious women
and gaping children who crowded the
street. The former, though of the low
est class, were all closely veiled.
1t was Israli Pasha, the Sultan's Ia
vorite, great and well known even in
Tophane, the poorest quarter of Stam-
boul. Hafiz touched his mouth, his
heart and the ground, the salute of
every good Mohammedan.
al welcome you with my lips, adore
you with my heart and serve sou with
my feet, oh, pasha! Honor my poor
house"
Israli's face was pale and gray-beard-
ed, his eyes shrewd and shifting and
his lips full. You saw hard man,
only to be ruled through his senses, for
intellect the Turks have none.
81 come bat TO look, not to buy" he
remarked, warily.
Another figure darkened the door
way. A shadow fell across the earthen
floor and young Levantine gentleman
in European attire stepped inside.
Pardon my intrusion, Hafiz; / know
you well, though you know me not. /
had business in this quarter and crave
but a refuge from the heat. Do not
disturb yourselfn'
The merchant smiled and bowed in
reply, any compliment to his trade
pleased him, and so, with true Oriental
diplomacy, he turned to his other pat
ron, hoping that the Levantine might
also be drawn into a bazaar unawares.
''Gonder, o pasha, is strong Ethio-
plan eunuc.l he can be trusted with
the keys of the harem."
al have already ten such; | would
see your women slaves"
They had reached this stage of the
bargain after the usual coffee and cigar
cites had been accepted both by the
pasha and the Levantine, who stood
apart watching the scene.
Hafiz pulled the pasha's silken
sleeve. "Oh, Israli, have, in an in
side room, a jewel, a pearl-the Sultan
himself has none more choice-.nay
Allah preserve him!'
The pasha's eyes glittered, his mouth
loosened. al would see her.
The merchant spoke some words in
Arabic to swarthy man in sheep
skins, he who brought the choicest
slaves across the desert.
Meanwhile Israli dismissed the
shrinking female forms beside him
with contemptuous glance and the
younger man by the door aroused HIM
self to renewed interest.
The merchant led forward slender,
veiIed figure, and with trembling hands
unwound the cashmere drapery and
took off the thick yashmak, disclosing