Mary Hazelton Blanchard Wade

“ It is the only time in the year when Osman's mamma leaves her home after the sun has set, and goes to evening parties of her friends.
All through the month, the streets are alive each evening with lights and processions and gay parties. But from dawn to sunset the followers of Mohammed must eat no food whatever, although they may feast all night long if they wish to do so.
Rich people, such as Osman and his family, enjoy turning day into night for a while. But it is not so easy for the poor, who must work without eating through the whole day, no matter how hungry and faint they may become. ”

“ Osman's father would say, very solemnly. "It is the law of our religion that we should kill nothing living if we can possibly help it. Let the dogs live.
"Besides, they are useful creatures. They keep our streets clean of all decaying matter. By doing this, fevers and many other kinds of illness are prevented. The poor animals are a real blessing."
"I know where there are some new-born puppies," said Selim, as he was leaving Osman for the night. ”

“ May the child live long and be happy," said the visitors, as they bent over the young mother. At each kind wish, she kissed the hands of the speaker. This was her way of thanking them. Strange to say, the ladies seemed hardly to notice the baby himself, in whose honour they had come to the house.
Do not think for a moment they had forgotten [6] the tiny bundle done up in quilted cotton. No, indeed. But the anxious mother believed some bad fortune might come to Osman if he were examined too closely. She would worry if her friends should fondle the child or pay him much attention. ”

“ The shopkeeper had said it would be good for a lifetime, and he probably spoke the truth.
"Before we go home, will you take me out on the bridge of boats?" asked Osman. "It isn't far from the bazaar."
"Aren't you too tired?"
"No, indeed; the bath this morning made me ready for anything."
A short walk brought Osman and his father to the bridge of which he had spoken. It joins the main city of Constantinople and the suburb of Pera.
"It doesn't seem as though the bridge could be made of boats until we look over the sides, does it?" said Osman. ”

“ Osman loved pets as much as any other boy in the wide world, and he was always ready to take a family of puppies into his heart. His parents taught him, however, that it was not good to handle them. "The dog is an unclean animal," said the boy's father. "Be kind to him and love him, but touch him as little as possible." ”

“ In Europe and Asia there are two countries separated from each other by a narrow strip of water. One of these is spoken of as Turkey in Europe, and the other as Turkey in Asia. They are held together under one ruler called the Sultan. He has absolute power over his people, and can do with them as he likes. One word from his lips is enough to cause the death of any of his subjects. ”

“ Our little Turkish cousin lives in the city of Constantinople, not far from the Sultan's [vi] palace. He does not understand why some of his people live in wealth and luxury, while so many others spend their lives in begging for the food and clothing they must have. He has no thought but that the Sultan of Turkey is as great and noble as the ruler of any other land.
The child is brought up to love ease and comfort, the daintiest food and the richest clothing. He feels sorry for the poor and the homeless, but he does not know how to truly help them. ”

“ Some gipsy girls danced and sang for us and we had refreshments."
"What was the bride doing all this time, mamma?"
"As soon as the bridegroom had led her to the bridal bower and gone away, her veil was raised. We could now look at her beautiful face as much as we liked, and admire her wedding-gown and presents."
"Did many poor people come in to look at the pretty things?" asked Osman. His voice was rather sad as he said the word "poor." He pitied those who did not have a lovely home like himself, and plenty to eat and to wear. ”

“ But, between the courses, they nibbled at the olives, cucumbers, and different sweetmeats.
More than once, Osman's mother broke off a choice bit of food with her fingers, and held it up to the mouth of one of her friends. It was a very polite attention, and her visitor was pleased.
"How rude some people in the world are about eating," said one of the ladies. "They use the most clumsy things in their hands. They call them knives and forks. ”

“ It is a Turkish sweetmeat, and Osman thinks it is delicious when freshly made by a candy merchant in his city.
"The fire has waked up every dog in this quarter," said Fatima, fretfully, as she hurried the children along. She was right in saying so, for "Bow-wow-wow, bow-wow-wow," could be heard in every direction. Even as she spoke, the old nurse stumbled against a big dog that was rushing past her and barking furiously.
"Hurry up, old fellow! Catch him, catch [26] him!" cried Osman, turning around to watch. "Fatima, don't you see what is the matter? ”

“ But he is such a great and powerful ruler, it doesn't seem as if I could move or make a sound while I look at him."
Dear little Osman! Our far-away cousin has never heard how the people of other countries speak of Turkey. They call it the "Sick Man of Europe." They think it is [62] a pity the Sultan has such power in the land. They say:
"Turkey is the only country in Europe that does not believe in the Christian faith. Its most important city is on the shores of a strait through which a great deal of trade is carried from all parts of the world. ”

“ When you visit Osman's home, you will see hundreds of these domes and minarets, for there are many mosques in his city.
"Papa, where is the oldest mosque in the world?" asked Osman.
"It is at Medina, in Arabia, on the very [95] spot chosen by the great Prophet himself. A part of it is kept open to this day for all homeless people. That is, if they are believers in Mohammed. They can go there at any time and live in its shelter. It was the Prophet's wish."
"It would be nice if every mosque were like that one," said Osman. ”

“ There was a time when all Turks wore soft turbans, which are the best and most comfortable [37] covering for the head. But times are changed now. The great Sultan likes the fez best, and the turban is seen more and more seldom as the years pass by.
At last the party reached a spot where Osman's mother decided to stop. It was a favourite picnic-ground for the people of Constantinople. A pretty grove of trees was growing close to the shore, while, near by, tiny coffee-houses stood here and there in the meadows.
"I hear sweet music," said Osman. "Listen, mamma."
"Yes, it is a wandering player. ”

“ Even the street dogs seemed quieter and happier than usual.
"It is good to be outdoors in the bright sunshine," said Osman, as he walked down the street with his father. They came in sight of the mosque at last. It was not beautiful to look at, but it was very, very large.
"Once there were no minarets rising from this mosque toward heaven," the boy's father [97] told him. "Only the great dome reached upward from the roof. That was when the Christians ruled over our city and worshipped in this building. ”

“ Ramazan is the only part of the year when the mosque is brightly lighted. It is a strange festival, and lasts a whole month.
The days are given up to fasting, and the nights to services in the mosques, to feasts, and frolics. ”

“ Many songs were sung, and the visitors stopped several times to eat refreshments.
All this sounds odd to us, but the rich ladies of Turkey have little to do except to ride and make calls, bathe in their own homes or at the public bath-houses, meet together for picnics or some entertainment.
Osman grew so fast it seemed to his mother only a short time before he was able to toddle about without the help of his nurse. The carpets were soft and thick, so he did not get [9] hurt even if he fell. The beautiful colours of the carpets amused his baby eyes. ”

“ Osman thinks it would be as wicked to break this rule as to tell a wrong story, or take anything belonging to another.
As soon as the hand-washing was over, the little boy started for the courtyard to watch his tame pigeons and play with his friend Selim.
Osman's house is divided into two parts. His father's rooms are down-stairs. A separate door leads into them from the street. No [20] woman ever enters these rooms. Even the servants who take care of them are men. The boy's father receives his gentlemen friends in this part of the house. ”

“ The feast would not have been as rich, but coffee and fruits would have been served, at any rate, and the visitors would probably have enjoyed themselves just as much.
When Osman was eight days old, there was another great ceremony at his house. He received a bath. The ladies who were invited [8] could join in the bath if they liked, as well as his mother. There would be music and refreshments and a general good time.
The baby was bathed first. His mother's turn came next.
A Turkish bath is not like that of other people, as perhaps you have heard. A long time is spent before it is finished. ”

“ But we, Osman, are taught not to have such paintings. A mosque should have no pictures of human shapes, nor of any other. For it is [99] written: 'Thou shalt not make the likeness of anything.'
"When the great Sultan who conquered the Christians took possession of the city, he rode through this very building. It was crowded with people who had fled here for safety. The Sultan ordered that no blood should be shed. But he made the Christians the slaves of himself and his people. ”

“ On the evening after the picnic, Osman's mother said to her husband, "I have invited a party of my friends to lunch with me to-morrow."
The Turks do little visiting after sunset. The ladies often spend the day with each other, but are seldom away from home at dinner-time. ”

“ You would have liked to see the camels in the old days, Osman. Merchants often travelled through the streets with whole processions of those animals. They went very slowly, to be sure, and they blocked up the streets. But camels are steady, faithful creatures, and are good beasts of burden. ”

“ This is the fashion of the country. Poor women of Turkey! They seem to us almost like prisoners, but they have been brought up to think of their life as the most natural and best in the world. They may go outdoors whenever they like, so long as a veil is worn over the face. But no man, unless he is a very near relative, must enter the part of the house where the women and children have their home.
[22]
CHAPTER III.
THE FIRE
"Listen, listen, Osman. What is all the noise about?" exclaimed Selim. ”

“ He was the heir to the throne, however."
"What made the trouble, papa?"
"Sultan Selim III. was a wise ruler. He wished to improve his country. At one time the janizaries were the best trained and most useful troops. They were chosen from the Christians who were taken captive in war.
"But after awhile, men with no training and with selfish motives managed to get into their ranks. Sultan Selim knew they were harmful to the Empire, and intended to disband them. They found out what he was about to do, took the city and palace by surprise, and killed the good Selim. ”

“ The watching crowd seize these articles and at once make themselves comfortable. A number of women sit down on a pile of soft [24] rugs and prepare to enjoy the show, as if they were at the theatre. Not far off is a group of men, who stand chatting and smoking. The balconies of neighbouring houses are filled with gazing crowds.
The street peddlers soon begin to arrive. They bring trays of sweetmeats, sherbets, and other good things. As they elbow their way through the crowd, they act as though the fire had been started on purpose to give them a chance to sell their goods. ”

“ The dust of the street must not be brought in to soil the floor or carpets. They must be kept clean. During the service the people bow their heads to the floor itself many times.
"It always makes me wish to be quiet when I go there," Osman once told his mother. "I [98] wonder how men could ever build such a great, great place of worship."
There were no altars, no images, no seats. But along the walls, there were slabs of marble of all sorts and colours. ”

“ There are always people and animals who are thirsty. It is a comfort to have fresh water at hand, especially if it is a warm day."
"THROUGH THE CROWD OF BUSY PEOPLE."
As Osman was speaking, he heard a sound of music. Looking down the street, he saw two gipsies coming toward him. The man was playing on a bagpipe, and leading a tame [74] bear. The woman was dressed in bright colours. She was beating a tambourine.
"Isn't it pretty music, papa? Oh, do look at the bear," cried Osman. "He is doing some tricks." ”