The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-02-13
COOK THREE CIT rs
Request That Surprised the
Sultan Abdul Hamid.
TALE or A BADLY USED TURK.


the Universe" That Reads Like a
Story From the Arabian Nights.
Many fantastic stories are related of
Abdul Hamid, the ex-suItan Of Tur-
key. and his court. The following,
however, came to me from a reliable
source, writes a contributor to Cham
bers' Journal, and once when | told
the story in company one Of my listen
ers told me that he personally knew it
to be true. It is worthy Of place
among Scheherazades famous tales.
Not far from the sultan's palace lived
certain Ahmed Rushdi Effendi, one
of the hundreds Of clerks employed at
the sublime porte. Ahmed's duties
consisted Of writing ornate official
communications to provincial COVER
nors. For this he was supposed to re-
ceive salary Of 200 piasters about
$8 per month. If, however, he receiv-
ed this salary six times a year he
thought himself lucky.
Compared to many of his colleagues
In the government Offices, Ahmed was
in comfortable circumstances. He
owned his own house, so he had no
rent to pay. and he gave his leisure
time to cultivating the tiny garden
that supplied his family with fruit
and vegetables the whole year round.
Ahmed Effendi, not being ambitious
was contented man.
"A In his peaceful household there was
hnly one discordant note. The cause
as a dwarf peach tree in Ahmed's
afden that bore every year six or
Eight mammoth peaches. Early in his
married life his wife dreamed that her
husband wonId one day attain emil
hence and that, the peaches were con-
nected with his fortune.
Fifty times each year she urged him
TO- take the peaches as an offering to
the sultan. I'VE are simple people"
she would say. "Such magnificent
peaches are not for us. Garry them, /
pray thee, to the palace and present
hem to the benefactor of the world"
But Ahmed would reply:
Wife, no good comes to those who
have relations with the palace. l, who
have always been discreet. do not wish
to fall under suspicion"
But at last, after twenty years, All
med yielded to his wife's importantly
and carried the beautiful fruit to the
palace There he entrusted the peach
es to the grand chamberlain, who,
knowing the sultan's fondness for
fruit, promptly carried them into the
presence Of the Illumination Of the Uni
verse. The sultan graciously accept
ed the gift and commanded Ahmed to
wait until he was at liberty In order
that he might himself thank the grow
er Of such splendid fruit.
It happened that the reception room
where the scribe awaited the pleasure
Of the sovereign was filed with a
band of suspected bomb throwers, and
Ahmed was presently hustled away
to prison with the supposed revolu-
tionaries. He was thoroughly confus-
ed by the rough treatment Of the
guards and could only stammer: II
am the man who brought the peachesl
am the man who brought the
peachesg'
In prison he soon became known as
''the man of the peaches" and was
looked upon as a harmless lunatic.
After many months the suspected
bomb throwers, including Ahmed.
were brought before the criminal
court He told his story to the judge
and asked that the grand chamberlain
be called to confirm his words. The
judge granted his request and was
greatly surprised when the dignitary
Atold of the arrival of Ahmed at the
Palace some months ago and of his
mysterious disappearance. The cham
berlain took the afflicted scribe to his
own suit in the palace and went to ex-
plain matters to the sultan.
The sultan, sincerely sorry for the
unlucky mistake, commanded the
chamberlain to promise Ahmed that
any wish of bis should be fulfilled.
Ahmed replied that he would accept
not one. but three gifts. and that he
must name them to the sultan per-
sonally. The sultan was much con-
cerned and ordered the scribe ushered
AutO us private study.
Sire" said Ahmed. Il ask for
Ratchet, the sum Of 200 piasters and
copy OF the Koran"
"Your desire is granted" answered
the sultan, ION condition that you ex-
plain the meaning Of your singular
request"
"Sire." replied our hero. with the
200 piasters shall obtain divorce
from my wife. the original cause Of
all my trouble; with the Ratchet in
tend to cut down my peach tree. and
upon the Koran wish to swear an
oath never to enter the palace gates
again so long as live"
ApeIIes' Masterpiece.
The masterpiece of Apelles was the
Vonua hnadv0mono tsWanro Dfosnr