Year: 1869

as to form retreat for his wife, he OPEN
ed the door and his guests entered. Dur
ing the conversation, which now took
place, Eskigi Meimet Efrendi related
how he had managed, by the assistance
of God, to provide for his family good
supper, much of which still remained for
his friends. But his chief delight was
In the magnificent illumination, which
he had found means of exhibiting. He
thought that even the Sultan had never
had so many lights burning in his pal
ace; and finally, he considered it pretty
evident that he was the happiest mortal
alive.


The Grand Seignor was pleased, but
at the same time little piqued at the
cobbler's pertinacious good humor.
When he arrived at his palace, the next
morning, he remarked to his Vizier
that some other method must be adopt
ed, in order to effect their object, and
that man who was really determined
to work, could always find employ
ment. The Vizier replied, that he had
thought of plan, which was to give
the cobbler an Office, and having detain-
ed him all day in the palace, to send
him home at night without any money.
The Sultan approved of the plan, and
Immediately ordered one of his minis
ters to send for Eskigi Meimet Effendi,
and on his arrival to invest him with
the Office and dignities of high sheriff,
or gelat 6achi Messengers were accord
ingly despatched to fulfil this imperial
command


On being summoned to attend them
to the palace, the astonished cobbler be.
gan to shake in his shoes, believing that
hewas about to be strangled or drowned
in sack, on some false accusation. He
kissed his child, and took leave of his
wife, who threw herselfin wild dismay
upon the sofa. AS soon as he arrived at
the palace, without waiting to be in.
formed of the cause of his being brought
there, he threw himself at the feet of
the minister, and implored his mercy.
But when the terrified suppliaat was
told that he had been appointed to the
Office of high sheriff, joy and astonish-
ment took the place of CONSERVATION
and grief. He was sent to the bath,
and habited in a new and costly uniform
and with Damascus sword.


Having remained in the palace dur
ing the day, he rode home in the even
ing, on an Arabian horse, accompanied
by train of attendants. They left him
at the door of his house, which he en-
tered alone. He found his wife in the
position in which he had seen her last,
the poor woman having lost all hopes
of again beholding her husband. She
started up in amazement,on seeing him
standing over her, habited in rich
and beautiful dress. Ne soon satisfied
her curiosity with respect to his visit to
the palace, and consoled her for all her
apprehensions. But after he had finish
ed the account of his adventures, he be-
gau to look melancholy, and said to his
wife: "Alas what shall we do tonight
for our illumination l have no money,
and we have neither oil nor candles to
burn" "Nor bread to eat" added his
spouse.


Eskigi Meimet Effendi sat musing for
some time upon the sofa. AT last, strik-
ing his hand upon his knee, he eXclaim-
ed, 81 hare il :" and leaving the room,
he hastened to a neighbouring carpen-
ter, to whom he sold the blade of his
Damascus sword for considerable sum
of money, on condition that he would
make for him blade of wood, to be
fitted to the handle and delivered early
in the morning. He accordingly left
the sword with the carpenter and quit
tod the shop with his money. The
worthy high sheriff now purchased a
large quantity of oil and candles, and
then turned his attention towards buy
ing variety of food for supper. Re.
turning home, he made most brilliant
illumination, while his wife performed
the Office of cook.


In short time the Sultan and his
| Vizier in their customary disguise,
again knocked at the door. Eskigi
Meimet Effendi hesitated for some time
about admitting them. He considered
that he was now high officer of the
empire, and man OF rank, and ought
not to receive persons of low degree in
to his house. But they renewed their
entreaties so pressingly, that he con-
sented to grant them hospitality for the
last time. On entering, they expressed
their establishment at his new dress, and
asked him how he had come by it. His
reply was that the distributor of thrones
and the shadow of God upon earth, his
majesty the Sultan, had raised him to
the Office Of high sheriff; and thereupon
he described to them his several ad-
ventures during the day. He begged
them never again to take the liberty OF
knocking at his door,as he was no long
er cobbler, neither remover of dust,
nor gatherer Of asparagus, but an Off
Ger of the empire, and that he must be
treated accordingly. In the midst OF
his boasting, the Grand Seignor inquir-
ed how he had managed, without mon-
ey, to still keep up his illuminations;
and the ex,cobbler, Notwithstanding
his lofty pretensions and his determin'
alton to stand upon his dignity, could
not forbear telling them how he had
contrived to raise money, by selling
the blade of his Damascus sword. The
Grand Seignor laughed heartily at the
circumstance, and they soon after sep
arated for the night.


The Sultan and his Vizier reached
the palace, at an early hour the mex
morning. The moHah, or chief judge
was Immediately ordered into the i'm
perial presence, and asked if there wer,
any person to be executed that day. 1
was ascertained that there was one in
dividual who was awaiting the punish
| mpnt of death in cOnSpnupnca of HAVING