The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-01-29
AN AFFAIR ON
THE BCSPORUS.
lOriSinal.]

[OriginaLI
MahGeSian was a kavaSs in the Serv-
ice Of the sultan Of Turkey. He was
assigned to the American legation and
more especially to the secretary. Rob
ert BabcOck. appointed by one of the
first presidents Of the United States.
At that time the kavass was held ac-
attended. and if any accident happen
ed to his charge the kavass. whether in
fault or not. forfeited his life.
Mahdesian's position was no sine
cure Babcock had been captain OF
rangers In the American Revolution
and was only happy when in danger
The kavass, who found difficulty in get
ting his masters name. was advised by
the secretary to call him Bob. This
the servant did. much to the surprise
and wonder of those who heard him.
One day Babcock was walking on a
street in COnstantinople when a palan-
Quln passed him In which was Turk
ish lady, who, as the American gaZed
upon her. removed the covering to her
a
"Mahdesian," said Babcock to the
kavass. who was walking behind him.
there's an adventure. \ lady does
me al Honor If do not follow her
up will he a pOtroon and coward"
20 most excellent and exalted Bob"
protested the servant, that lady Is
from the harem Of the sultan. l recog
kxn
veil"
YOU don't mean it, declared the
secretary. considerably staggered.
One evening a few days later Bah
cock set out from the legation to take
walk. Mahdesian, who handed him
his hat and cane, proposed to accom-
pany him, but BabcOck demurred.
Babcock was disporting his hand
some figure on the street, got up In
claret colored coat, knee breeches, with
white silk stockings. and gliStening
shoe buckles, when he was approached
by q man, who said in broken English.
IF you wish to meet q lady, follow
me-
Babcock at once surmised that this
meant an invitation from the lady he
had met and admired and. with the
reckleSsneSs natural to him, followed
the Turk. He was conducted TO the
bank Of the Bosporus. Out in the
stream, across which he remembered
Leander had swum to his Hero. Unit
ed States man-of war flying the Amer
lean flag was lying at anchor. Pres
emily the conductor stopped at a wall
inclOsing a garden at the rear OF a
dwelling. At a knock the door was
opened from within, and the man
pushed BabcOck through. Sitting on a
bench was lady. who rose, lifting her
veil the while her pretty face was COW
cred with bushes and smiles. Babcock
stepped forward. seized her hand and
kissed it. The lady, the same he had
met before, Informed him that she was
wife of the sultan, one Of hundreds
who had the name Of wife without the
reality She had arranged this meet
ing at the dwelling Of a friend on
whom she could rely implicitly.
They had spent happy hour togeth
er when suddenly half a dozen men
came over the wall-the door was lock-
ed-and made them prisoners. At first
they thought they had been betrayed
to the sultan's bodyguard, but the
leader of the men told them that they
would be held for ransom. The rob-
bers knew well that one was connect
ed with the United States embassy
while the other was Of the imperial
harem, and they demanded an enor
nous sum to keep the secret and let
them go their way.
Now, this was very unpleasant pre-
dicament-unpleasant for Babcock. for
he was without fortune and unable to
produce the ransom: unpleasant for the
Turkish lady, who was in like financial
condition, and unpleasant for the alb
sent Mahdesian, who was responsible
for his charge. Indeed, If there was
no means of a settlement Forthcoming
all were sure to lose their lives. Bah
cock. who had been caught many a
time by British soldiers In various
traps without being held, was now
really frightened, not for himself. but
for the lady. He cursed his foolhardi-
ness and especially regretted not per-
hitting Mahdesian to come with him.
II Babcock never returned to the Iega-
ton the kavass would lose his head.
II BabcOck found no means Of escape
both he and the lady would be MUIR
dered.