THE TWO FRIENDS
"NEVER forget your friends, Osman. I am glad you are so fond of Selim,
although his family is poor. I hope you will always love him as you do
now."
"Of course, papa. Selim is just like my brother. He always will be,
too."
Osman looked up at his father with a little surprise. Forget Selim! He
could not imagine such a thing.
"You ought to feel that way," said his father. "There is nothing so
beautiful as friendship. I will tell you a true story about two boys who
once lived in this very city."
Osman, with a happy smile, squatted on the rug by his father's side.
There was nothing he liked better than a story.
"One of these boys," said the father, "was the son of a rich
tobacconist. He was a Moslem, like ourselves, but his dearest friend was
a little Armenian, whose father was a poor bread-seller and a Christian.
The two boys were always together in work and play. After a while, their
parents began to think, 'This is not good. A Christian and a Moslem
should not be such close friends. We must not let this go on any
longer.'
"Neither reasoning nor scolding did any good.
"At last the rich boy's father, the Moslem, decided to send him out of
Turkey. 'It is the only way to make Ibrahim forget Joannes,' he said to
himself. 'Ibrahim is now fifteen years old. He is nearly a man. Yes, I
must send him so far away he will forget all about his Christian
playmate.'
"Ibrahim was told of the plan. What did he do? He rushed to Joannes's
home and said to his friend, 'I am going away, Joannes. I must bid you
good-bye.'
"'No, indeed,' answered Joannes. 'Where you go, I will go, too.'
"'But that cannot be. My father has arranged it so that I go into
another country. I am to serve the Pasha of Bagdad. But I shall never
forget you, Joannes. And when I come back to this city, I shall come as
your true and loving friend.'
"The two boys embraced and kissed each other. Then Ibrahim went away.
Soon after this he was sent far away to the city of Bagdad.
"He served the pasha so well that he soon held a high position. Years
passed away and the pasha died. A surprise was now in store for Ibrahim.
He himself was made pasha.
"But he longed for his old home. He wished to see his friend Joannes
once more, for he had never been forgotten. He sent word to the Sultan,
asking if he might visit this city for a short time.
"But the Sultan said, 'No; the country needs your care. Stay there and
keep it in order.'
"More years passed away. Again the pasha asked permission to leave
Bagdad that he might visit his old home. And again the Sultan refused.
"Soon after this, a strange thing happened. The Sultan became angry with
his chief officer, the Grand Vizier. He had his head cut off, and, would
you believe it, he sent for Ibrahim to come here to be Grand Vizier in
his place.
"Ibrahim was hardly settled in his high position before he sent two of
his body-guard to the narrow street where his old friend used to live.
They were told to find him and bring him before their master.
"When they came to the little store of the bread-seller, they went
inside and asked for Joannes.
"He came forward in a great fright. What had he done that the Grand
Vizier should send for him? He trembled as he declared he had done no
wrong to any man, neither theft nor murder,--no harm whatever.
"But the officers would not listen. Their master had ordered Joannes to
be brought to him, and they must obey his command.
"He must go. There was no help. Joannes sent a sad farewell to his wife
and children, for he fully expected he was about to meet death. His
pitying friends and neighbours crowded around as he went with the
officers from his little store.
"They brought him into the presence of the Grand Vizier. But poor
Joannes did not dare to look in his face. He threw himself face downward
on the floor, and begged that his life should be spared.
"'Arise!' said the Grand Vizier. 'I do not wish you harm. I want to talk
with you. Do you remember Ibrahim, your boy friend?'
"'Remember him! I loved him above all others. But he went away, and I
never saw him again.'
"'I am he,' answered the great man, and he fell on Joannes's neck and
kissed him. Then he reminded Ibrahim of the last words spoken before
they parted.
"'I am still your friend,' he said. 'Behold, I will show you that I am.
"He sent for his accounts, and then and there made Joannes his chief
banker. He gave him charge of all his money. He sent him home in a grand
uniform, on a fine horse, and with servants to attend him.
"You can imagine the surprise of Joannes's wife when he came home in
such style.
"No, he had not been killed, after all. The poor woman fainted with joy
at the glad sight. But she soon came to her senses, and both she and
her husband lived to enjoy the loving kindness of Joannes's old friend,
now the Sultan's highest officer.
"That was friendship worth having, indeed."
"What a lovely story, papa. Maybe I shall grow up to show Selim how much
I love him, too."
"It may be. Yes, it may be so. Or, possibly, Selim will have the chance
to show you how deeply he cares for you, Osman. Who knows what changes
will come to our country? Who knows, indeed!"
Osman's father became silent as he thought of the enemies of Turkey, and
of what might happen to his loved country if they should band together
against the Sultan and his power.
THE END.
Selections from The Page Company's Books for Young People
=THE BLUE BONNET SERIES=
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=A TEXAS BLUE BONNET=
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS.
"The book's heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest kind of wholesome,
honest, lively girlishness."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
=BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY=
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND EDYTH ELLERBECK READ.
"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_Boston
Transcript._
=BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON;= OR, BOARDING-SCHOOL DAYS AT MISS NORTH'S.
By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.
"It is bound to become popular because of its wholesomeness and its many
human touches."--_Boston Globe._
=BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE;= OR, THE NEW HOME IN THE EAST.
By Caroline E. Jacobs and Lela Horn Richards.
"It cannot fail to prove fascinating to girls in their teens."--_New
York Sun._
=BLUE BONNET--D√ČBUTANTE=
By Lela Horn Richards.
An interesting picture of the unfolding of life for Blue Bonnet.
THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES
By HARRISON ADAMS
_Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.25
=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO;= OR, CLEARING THE WILDERNESS.
"Such books as this are an admirable means of stimulating among the
young Americans of to-day interest in the story of their pioneer
ancestors and the early days of the Republic."--_Boston Globe._
=THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES;= OR, ON THE TRAIL OF THE IROQUOIS.
"The recital of the daring deeds of the frontier is not only interesting
but instructive as well and shows the sterling type of character which
these days of self-reliance and trial produced."--_American Tourist,
Chicago._
=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI;= OR, THE HOMESTEAD IN THE
WILDERNESS.
"The story is told with spirit, and is full of adventure."--_New York
Sun._
=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI;= OR, IN THE COUNTRY OF THE SIOUX.
"Vivid in style, vigorous in movement, full of dramatic situations, true
to historic perspective, this story is a capital one for
boys."--_Watchman Examiner, New York City._
=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE YELLOWSTONE;= OR, LOST IN THE LAND OF WONDERS.
"There is plenty of lively adventure and action and the story is well
told."--_Duluth Herald, Duluth, Minn._
=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE COLUMBIA;= OR, IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE GREAT
NORTHWEST.
"The story is full of spirited action and contains much valuable
historical information."--_Boston Herald._
THE HADLEY HALL SERIES
By LOUISE M. BREITENBACH
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=ALMA AT HADLEY HALL=
"The author is to be congratulated on having written such an appealing
book for girls."--_Detroit Free Press._
=ALMA'S SOPHOMORE YEAR=
"It cannot fail to appeal to the lovers of good things in girls'
books."--_Boston Herald._
=ALMA'S JUNIOR YEAR=
"The diverse characters in the boarding-school are strongly drawn, the
incidents are well developed and the action is never dull."--The _Boston
Herald._
=ALMA'S SENIOR YEAR=
"Incident abounds in all of Miss Breitenbach's stories and a healthy,
natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_Boston Transcript._
THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES
By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE=
"A book sure to please girl readers, for the author seems to understand
perfectly the girl character."--_Boston Globe._
=PEGGY RAYMOND'S VACATION=
"It is a wholesome, hearty story."--_Utica Observer._
=PEGGY RAYMOND'S SCHOOL DAYS=
The book is delightfully written, and contains lots of exciting
incidents.
FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES
By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS=
"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers
with historical personages in a pleasant, informal way."--_New York
Sun._
"It is a book that will stir the heart of every boy and will prove
interesting as well to the adults."--_Lawrence Daily World._
=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS=
"Mr. Johnston has done faithful work in this volume, and his relation of
battles, sieges and struggles of these famous Indians with the whites
for the possession of America is a worthy addition to United States
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=FAMOUS SCOUTS=
"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for boys
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the history of the country."--_The New London Day._
=FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA=
"The tales are more than merely interesting; they are entrancing,
stirring the blood with thrilling force and bringing new zest to the
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=FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER=
This book is devoted to a description of the adventurous lives and
stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes who were prominently
identified with the opening of the Great West.
"The accounts are not only authentic, but distinctly readable, making a
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HILDEGARDE-MARGARET SERIES
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
Eleven Volumes
The Hildegarde-Margaret Series, beginning with "Queen Hildegarde" and
ending with "The Merryweathers," make one of the best and most popular
series of books for girls ever written.
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.25
_The eleven volumes boxed as a set_ $13.75
LIST OF TITLES
=QUEEN HILDEGARDE=
=HILDEGARDE'S HOLIDAY=
=HILDEGARDE'S HOME=
=HILDEGARDE'S NEIGHBORS=
=HILDEGARDE'S HARVEST=
=THREE MARGARETS=
=MARGARET MONTFORT=
=PEGGY=
=RITA=
=FERNLEY HOUSE=
=THE MERRYWEATHERS=
THE CAPTAIN JANUARY SERIES
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
_Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ 50 cents
=CAPTAIN JANUARY=
A charming idyl of New England coast life, whose success has been very
remarkable.
=SAME.= _Illustrated Holiday Edition_ $1.25
=SAME,= FRENCH TEXT. _Illustrated Holiday Edition_ $1.25
=MELODY:= THE STORY OF A CHILD.
=SAME.= _Illustrated Holiday Edition_ $1.25
=MARIE=
A companion to "Melody" and "Captain January."
=ROSIN THE BEAU=
A sequel to "Melody" and "Marie."
=SNOW-WHITE;= OR, THE HOUSE IN THE WOOD.
=JIM OF HELLAS;= OR, IN DURANCE VILE, and a companion story, BETHESDA
POOL.
=NARCISSA=
And a companion story, IN VERONA, being two delightful short stories of
New England life.
="SOME SAY"=
And a companion story, NEIGHBORS IN CYRUS.
=NAUTILUS=
"'Nautilus' is by far the best product of the author's powers, and is
certain to achieve the wide success it so richly merits."
=ISLA HERON=
This interesting story is written in the author's usual charming manner.
=THE LITTLE MASTER=
"A well told, interesting tale of a high character."--_California
Gateway Gazette._
DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR LITTLE FOLKS
By LAURA E. RICHARDS
=THREE MINUTE STORIES=
Cloth decorative, 12mo, with eight plates in full color and many text
illustrations by Josephine Bruce.
_Net_ $1.25; carriage paid $1.40
"Little ones will understand and delight in the stories and
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=FIVE MINUTE STORIES=
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.25
A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children.
=MORE FIVE MINUTE STORIES=
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.25
A noteworthy collection of short stories and poems for children, which
will prove as popular with mothers as with boys and girls.
=FIVE MICE IN A MOUSE TRAP=
Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated $1.25
The story of their lives and other wonderful things related by the Man
in the Moon, done in the vernacular from the lunacular form by Laura E.
Richards.
=WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE=
Cloth. 8vo, illustrated $1.25
The title most happily introduces the reader to the charming home life
of Doctor Howe and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, during the childhood of the
author.
=A HAPPY LITTLE TIME=
Cloth, 8vo, illustrated $1.25
Little Betty and the happy time she had will appeal strongly to mothers
as well as to the little ones who will have this story read to them, and
appeal all the more on account of its being such a "real" story.
THE BOYS' STORY OF THE RAILROAD SERIES
By BURTON E. STEVENSON
_Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND;= OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST.
"A thrilling story, well told, clean and bright. The whole range of
section railroading is covered in the story, and it contains information
as well as interest."--_Chicago Post._
=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER=
"A vivacious account of the varied and often hazardous nature of
railroad life, full of incident and adventure, in which the author has
woven admirable advice about honesty, manliness, self-culture, good
reading, and the secrets of success."--_Congregationalist._
=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER=
"It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to anyone who loves a
good, wholesome, thrilling, informing yarn."--_Passaic News._
=THE YOUNG APPRENTICE;= OR, ALLAN WEST'S CHUM.
"The story is intensely interesting, and one gains an intimate knowledge
of the methods and works in the great car shops not easily gained
elsewhere."--_Baltimore Sun._
"It appeals to every boy of enterprising spirit, and at the same
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perseverance."--_Cleveland Plain Dealer._
"The lessons that the books teach in development of uprightness, honesty
and true manly character are sure to appeal to the reader."--_The
American Boy._
=THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS=
(Trade Mark)
By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON
_Each large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per volume_ $1.50
=THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES=
(Trade Mark)
Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The
Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant
Scissors," in a single volume.
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING-SCHOOL=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR=
(Trade Mark)
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING=
(Trade Mark)
=MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM=
(Trade Mark)
=MARY WARE IN TEXAS=
=MARY WARE'S PROMISED LAND=
_These twelve volumes, boxed as a set,_ $18.00.
=SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITIONS=
_Each small quarto, cloth decorative, per volume_ $1.25
New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page drawings in
color, and many marginal sketches.
=THE LITTLE COLONEL=
(Trade Mark)
=TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY=
=THE GIANT SCISSORS=
=BIG BROTHER=
=THE JOHNSTON JEWEL SERIES=
_Each small 16mo, cloth decorative, with frontispiece
and decorative text borders, per volume_ _Net_ $0.50
=IN THE DESERT OF WAITING:= THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.
=THE THREE WEAVERS:= A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS FOR
THEIR DAUGHTERS.
=KEEPING TRYST:= A TALE OF KING ARTHUR'S TIME.
=THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART=
=THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME:= A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG.
=THE JESTER'S SWORD=
=THE LITTLE COLONEL'S GOOD TIMES BOOK=
Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series $1.50
Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold _Net_ 3.00
Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg.
"A mighty attractive volume in which the owner may record the good times
she has on decorated pages, and under the directions as it were of Annie
Fellows Johnston."--_Buffalo Express._
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
End of Project Gutenberg's Our Little Turkish Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade