The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-09-10
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.
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Continued.
The stirring events which occurred
lust previous to my entry into Con-
stantinople were eclipsed by the mo-
mentous changes in the Turkish Gov
ernment which took place in the sum-
mer and autumn Of 1923. Sultan Mus
tapha having by the absurdity Of his
acts convinced everybody Of his insan.
lty, he was again deposed. and young
boy. scarce twelve years old. set in his
place as Amurath Nv. saw the youth
full Amurath for the first time on the
day his high dignity was conferred
upon him. and thought he was an ex-
ceptionally handsome boy. Certainly
perceived nothing N his clear-cut
features, his aquiline nose. his full.
iustrous, dark eyes. which denoted In
any degree the fierce. bloody and re-
morseless tyrant he afterward be-
came. Being too young to rule. though
not to reign. all power reposed In
Mahpeiker. mother Of the Sultan.
Mahpeiker was q clever woman. sim
eerely desirous. believe. Of the hap
plness Of her son. and Of the stability
and prosperity Of the State. and to Sc
cure these objects she scrupled not to
seek the advice Of Sir Thomas Roe
conduct which gave mortal onense to
the Grand visier and other high ofi-
GERS OF State. and tended not to the
security Of the Englishman thus hon
ored. The difficulties with which the
Sultana-mother had to contend were
numerous and great, for the lunatic
Mustapha and a host Of parasitical
pashas who surrounded him had de-
pleted the treasury and suffered the
defences Of the country, to fall into de-
cay.
Sir Thcmas Roe having recommend
ed me for various public employments
his Recommendation were adopted. ]
undertook the tasks. and acquitted my.
self with % much satisfaction to the
court that other commissions were
given to me without any suggestion
BY my friend, my success being due
not to any exceptional ability in me.
bot simply to h0nesty-s quality rare
" found In q Turkish oflcial. nor ex.
pected In more than q minor degree.
Early In 1926 the health Of Sir
Thomas Roe was such that It deter
mined him to return home, and ar-
rangements were made for Sir Thomas
Philips to represent England at the
Porte. In three years I had grown
accustomed to life In Turkey. which
was not at all distasteful to me. Dur
Ing the minority Of Amurath Nv. my
services were frequently requisitioned
by Mahpeiker and her advisers IN
drafting dispatches to foreign nations.
my services being rewarded with mag.
nifieent presents. I visited the Serag-
iio when I would. and on two occasions
was examined by the assembled Ule-
ma as to the respective military
strength Of the nations Of Europe.
The ten chests Of Venetian sequins re-
manned unbroached, and My English
money was not decreased by one pen.
ny. had purchased numerous slaves.
yet notwithstanding all my expense !
waxed richer and richer. and my per
sonal influence increased daily. Such
being my condition in 1926, 1t will be
small wonder that I was disinclined
70 return to England with Sir Thomas
Roe. more especially rs ut that very
time the Grand Vizier. In the name Of
Mahpeiker and the Ulema. offered me
the distinguished position Of Govern
or Of the vilayet Of TrebizoHd-whicb,
a. all men know. is an important prov.
ince and port on the Black Sea coast
stipulating only that should embrace
the Mussulman faith. was but
twenty five years old, and the prospect
Of being king In everything but name
Of q large and beautiful province was
too flattering to resist. and ! accepted
the position with its accompanying
condition. much to the disgust Of Sir
Thomas Roe. whose friendship for me
declined from that hour. A few days
later my noble friend sailed for Eng
hand. and the last words ] heard him
speak informed me that he had hoped
ior better things Of me than had ap.
peared. At this distance Of time 1t ID
easy to perceive in whom lay the fault
which wrought this estrangement, and
this incident IL one OF many which
make a retrospect Of my life very mel
ancholy to me.
In delivering to me the warrant fol
my Office the Grand Vizier, crafty
old Turk. with n long white beard and
q magnificent but deceptive eye. conpli
mented me on roy honesty and truth
fulness. to which qualities. be said
owed my appointment. inasmuch a'
the Sultana-m mother had been very IN
vorably impressed Herewith. though
for his part. he thought these were
virtues which might be carried toe
far. Honesty. he further observed
was In itself a commendable thing
and sometimes worked well (as In my
own case. where IL had gained for me
this valuable appein,menD. yet ],
might not he lost sight Of that the tri
butte from Trebizond must at least bt
maintained IL not increased. and thai
the good will Of himself and some OF
his brother officers was only to be re
tanned by gifts. With regard to truth
he could not speak so favorably-tha'
II was frequently inexpedient to em
ploy 1t Vas the daily experience OF nj
men, but carefulness on occasions
when Its use was dispensed with was
doubtless needful. Lie with suff