amboul that day, in disguise, and
noticing considerable excitement and cries of "Padishahim chok yasha"
(long live my Sultan) amongst the people, made inquiries as to the
cause of this unusual occurrence. His Majesty's informers brought him
the word that the people rejoiced in the fall of the old Grand Vizier,
and the appointment of the new one, Doctor Ali Pasha's son. The Sultan
returned to the Palace and immediately sent one of his eunuchs to the
Sublime Porte to see the Grand Vizier and find out the meaning of
these strange proceedings.

The eunuch was announced, and the Grand Vizier ordered him to be
brought into his presence. Directly he appeared in the doorway, he was
greeted with: "What do you want, you black dog?"

Then turning to the numerous attendants about, he said: "Take this
nigger to the slave market, and see what price he will bring."

The eunuch was taken to the slave market, and the highest price bid
for him was fifty piasters. On hearing this, the Grand Vizier turned
to the eunuch and said: "Go and tell your master what you are worth,
and tell him that I think it too much by far."

The eunuch was glad to get off, and communicated to his Majesty the
story of his strange treatment. The Sultan then ordered his Chief
Eunuch, a not unimportant personage in the Ottoman Empire, to call on
the Grand Vizier for an explanation. At the Sublime Porte, however, no
respect was paid to this high dignitary. Ali Pasha received him in
precisely the same manner as he had received his subordinate. The
chief was taken to the slave market, and the highest sum bid for him
was five hundred piasters. The self-appointed Grand Vizier ordered him
to go and tell his master the amount some foolish people were willing
to pay for him.

When the Sultan heard of these strange proceedings he sent an
autograph letter to Ali Pasha, commanding him to come to the Palace.
The Grand Vizier immediately set out for the Palace and was received
in audience, when he explained to his Majesty that the affairs of
State could not be managed by men not worth more than from fifty to
five hundred piasters, and that if radical changes were not made,
certain ruin would be the outcome. The Sultan appreciated this earnest
communication, and ratified the appointment, as Grand Vizier, of Ali
Pasha, the son of the boy who had played at state affairs in a village
of Asia Minor.

THE MERCIFUL KHAN

There lived once near Ispahan a tailor, a hard-