The Indianapolis journal., 1899-02-19
ZULEIKA WAS POISONED
FATE OF BEAUTIFUL CIRCASSIAN
GIRL IN sULTAN'S RAREM.
Kidnaped from Her Intended Husband
for His Majesty, and Then Sent
Back Full of Poison.
New York Press.

New York Press.
The splendid Yildiz Palace has another
mystery for which the people of CONSTANT
nople hold their Sultan responsible. A
beautiful Circassian girl returned from Alb
dull Hamid's harem to the abode of her
rightful owner some ten days ago and soon
afterward died of poison-a certain vege-
table compound warranted to work at
the end of six or seven hours; no sooner,
no later. The girl breathed her last just
fifty minutes after her arrival in the car
riage of an officer of the imperial court. 1t
is known that she rode to her old masters
home directly from the palace, and without
stopping on the way. She herself said on
her deathbed that she had not eaten or
drunk anything since early breakfast in the
harem, which was from five to six hours
before her arrival in the city.
The theory of suicide not being applicable
in the case of an Oriental woman, the as
sumption is that Zuleika drank in death
with her chocolate, or swallowed it in a
French ragout or sweetmeat. Whether she
was poisoned at the Sultan's instigation or
whether the chief eunuch murdered her on
his own hook that, of course, no outsider
can decide. There is little likelihood that
that part of the tragedy will be ever cleared
up.
Six months ago Youssouff Tevfix-a son
Of the army contractor, who was favored
with the silken cord after he had acquired
riches enough to make his disgrace and the
consequent confscation of his fortune prof
itable-six months ago Youssouff was voted
the luckiest dog in Pera, for he had sue
ceeded in buying Zuleika, the pearl of the
CircaSSian slave market.
Zuleika, attended by her business-Iike
father and brothers, had previously been
hawked about the harems Of the great for
several days, but, owing to the presence of
Emperor William in Constantinope, who
kept the Sultan and his officials extremely
busy no purchaser had been found Then,
being unable to prolong their stay, Zulei-
ka'S relatives, or natural owners, as they
call themselves in Turkey, put the girl up
for auction and, though al Pera's golden
youth bid for her, Youssoun secured her by
a trick at the beggarly sum of 1900 francs
He told his friends that, owing to financial
difficulties, he had consented to become
an auction tout for this occasion, and So
when he bid, others who wanted the girl
held back in order not to force the price.
When at last the "chappies" saw that
Youssouff had fooled them, it was too late
to dispute him his prize. But YoussouF
was not content with selling his. COM
rades: his brides papa was sold by him in
bargain. .
he gave him fifteen promissory notes of 1000
francs each, payable successfully month aft
er month.
ON INSTAL4LMENT PLAN.
Youssouff paid his notes promptly on each
succeeding first for a half year, and mean
while tried to improve the property he had
bought on the installment plan to the best
of his knowledge. The best of teachers in
singing, dancing, playing and story telling
were engaged to instruct Zuleika in those
arts which the Turks admire mostly in
women. She proved an adaptable creature.
and the fame Of her accomplishments soon
spread over all Pera 1t even mounted the
walls of Yildiz Palace, and in the course
of time fell upon the blase ears of the
Padishah.
Il should like to have this Zueika, of
which there is so much talk the Sultan is
said to have remarked a little while ago.
The same day Yaver Aga, his Majesty S
chief eunuch called upon Youssouif and
commanded him to give up the girl. Yous-
souff refused. for he had meanwhile fallen
madly in love with her. Next came an offer
from the Sultan's kadyns," the seven
women who pass as his regular wives. They
desired to buy Zuleika for their master,
offering a very large sum as purchase price.
But Yousscum could neither be bought nor
hulied and was quite proud Of the fact.
He evidently forgot that he was living IN
Turkey but If he did he wasn't allowed 10
lose sight of the fact long.
Two weeks ago. coming home from his
Office, he was Informed by his servants that