The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-04-18

table with q marble surface, which
waiter diligently wiped with his nap
kin, before proceeding to bring US our
refreshments. The night was mild,
and the numerous lights of the boule-
ward were muffled by faint mist,
which softened the voices of the pass,
ersby. The ambassador leaned fd
ward with one arm resting on tile
table, and his hat set back from his
forehead.
1T was on night like this" he be-
gan. only more close and sultry, that
l had what is perhaps the most bizarre
experience Of my life. 1t was when I
was attached, in the capacity of secre-
tary, to our embassy in CONSTANT
nople.
1T was at time when the affairs of
Turkey we're about to attract the at
tention Of the civilized world. Russia
was already preparing to draw the
sword, and it was believed in some
quarters that England would not con-
sent to remain passive spectator of
the struggle. The entire weight of
France was being thrown into the
scale to avert this contingency, and l
have reason to believe that 1t was the
services which was able to render to
the republic during this crisis which
led to my being intrusted with my first
embassy.
Our desire. of course. was to keep
Russia strong, to act as a restraint on
Prussia; and in this task I found my
self pitted against your celebrated
minister, Lord Beaconsfield. He was
q great man, let me tell you, who sue
ceeded in obtaining for himself a
European vogue second only to that Of
Bismarck. But Of my labors in this
direction l must not speak.
ITO return to the night which
have already referred to: l had saun-
tered out from the embassy quite late,
and after walking through the streets
Of Pera for an hour, was seized by an
impulse to cross over the Golden Horn
and explore old STEAMBOAT. 1t was per-
hHps rash proceeding at such time,
but had accustomed myself to these
er safety, l wore a. Mohammedan cos
tune.
Doubtless, you hive read those de-
lightful Arabian Nights and can fig
ure to yourself the enchantment Of
wandering through an Eastern city In
the silent hours, when the moonlight
falls softly on the tapering minarets,
and on the high walls of mysterious
gardens in which yelled beauties re-
cline beside marble fountains, and
listen to the songs of divine birds.
II made my way, as have told you,
into the Turkish quarter. Avoiding the
region of the baZaars, which at this
hour were closed, l turned my steps
into that in which the pashas have
their superb residences, a region in
tersected at long intervals by narrow
and solitary lanes, running between
blank walls, with here and there lit
tie postern gate artfully introduced
beneath the ivy. / was sauntering
slowly down one of these lanes when
/ perceived in front of me, at a point
where the shadow of tall lick fell
across the white surface of the road,
a group of those dogs which infest
Constantinople. They were quarreling
over some object which lay on the
roadway in the center of the black
patch of shadow. Save for the pres
ence Of the dogs the whole neighbor-
hood appeared to be absolutely de-
serted.
Il advanced toward the spot, en-
deavoring to make out tie nature of
the object which had attracted these
carnivorous brutes. AS l got nearer
l perceived 1t to be slipper of the
pattern usually worn in Turkey. My
curiosity was now strongly reused. l
stepped into the midst of the growing
curs, and drove them off with few
blows Of a stick which l carried. Then
stopped down to pick up this mys-
FERROUS object
mo sooner had my hand touched
1t than / started back with veritable
thrill of horror. The slipper contained
a human foot!
my first impulse on making this ter
rible discovery was to turn and fly
from the place. But dreadful fascl-
nation, which l could not overcome,
rooted me to the spot, and even com
PEELED me to make a closer examina-
ton. stopped down, peering in the
dim light, and asking myself with a
beating heart how this severed foot
had come to be exposed there on that
lonely path, as II it were the damning
evidence of some strange crime.
"As / gazed at it thus, became
aware that the foot had for some time
ceased to bleed. 1t had been cut off
at the ankle, and the dry blood was
beginning to CONCEAL over the severed
veins and arteries. looked on the
ground beside it for stains of blood,
but not one was visible. l extended
my circle, and scrutinized all round it
with care, but the result was the same.
"Of one fact was now positively as
sured. This foot which l beheld on
the ground had not been cut off the
human being to whom it belonged at
this place, nor perhaps anywhere in
the neighborhood. 1t had been brought
here, doubtless, under the influence Of
some strong fear, by one who felt it