Evening Star Newspaper, February 19, 1898, Page 18

18 THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1898-24 PAGES, CHAPTER III. Ithobal, the King. Two hours by and the Prince Aztel, toget his retinue, the offi- cers of the caravan aud many other guests, were seated at a great teast made in their henor by Sakon, the governor of the city. The feast was held in the large pillared ball of Sakon's house, which built be- neath the northern wall of the temple, and rot more than a few paces from its narrow entrance, through which, in case of alarm, the inhabitants of the palace could fly for afety. Al down the hall were placed ta- where sat more than two hundred but the principal guests were by themselves at the head of the hall upon a raised dais. Among them were Sakon himself, a middle-aged man, stout in build and thoughtful in face, his daugh- -r Elissa, some other noble ladies and a its surrounding territories. One of these strangers immediately attracted the attention of Aziel, who was in the place of henor at the right of Sakon, between him and the Lady Elissa. This man was of large stature and about forty years of age, the magnificence of his apparel and the great gold chain, set with rough diamonds, pout his neck showing him to a person of importance. His tawny complexion suggested that he was of mixed race, a conclusion which his features did uot belie, for his brow, nose and cheek- which hung be ore of the notables of the city | | Elis himself, instead of a princelet of his line, be should pay bitterly for the deed. To- morrow, Sakon, I will see you before I leave for my own land, for I have words to speak to you. Tiil then, farewell." And rising, he strode down the hall, followed by his guard. The departure of King Ithobal in anger was the signa! for the breaking up of the feast. “Why is that half-bred chief so angry with me?” asked Aziel in a low voice of as they followed Sakon to avother chamber. “Because he set his dead cousin to kid- nap me, and you thwarted him," she an- swered, looking straight before her. Aziel made no reply, for at that moment Sakon turned to speak to him, and his face crave your pardon, prince,” he sai drawing him aside, “that you should have met with ch insults at my board. Had it been any other man by now he would have rued his words, but this Ithobal is the ror of our city, for 1f he will he can a hundred thousand sen upon us, shutting us within our walls (o starve, and cutting us off from the working ¢ mines whence we win gold. ‘Therefcre, in this way or in that, he must be humored,thoush now,” he acaed, his brow darkening, demands a price that I am loath to pay. and he glanced toward his daughter, who stood watching them at a little distance looking most beautiful in her white robes and ornaments of gold. “May you not make war upon him and fortress, how should I refuse him there, that is, if I stiil lived? There, with no price to pay in gold or lands or power, he would have been my master, and I should have been his slave iill such time as he wearied of me, and that is the fate from which you have saved me, Prince, or rather from death, for I am not one who could bear such shame at the hands of a man I hate.” “Lady,” he said, bowing, “I think that for the first time in my life I am glad tonight that I was born.” nd I,” she answered, “who am but a Phoenician maiden, and am glad that I should have lHved to hear one who is as loyal in thought and soul as he is in rank, speak thus to me. Oh, Prince,” she added, clasping her hand: ‘if your words are not those of empty courtesy alone, hear me, for you are great, and it may be in your power to give me aid. Prince, I am in a sore strait, for that danger from which I prayed to be delivered this night presses me hard. Prince, it is true that Ithobal has been refused my hand, both by myself and by my father, and therefore it was that he strove to steal me away. But the evil is not done with, for the nobles of the city and the priests of El came to my father at sunset and prayed him that he would let Ithobal take me, seeing that otherwise in his rage he will make war upon the city, and when a man placed as is my father must choose between the safe- ty of thousands and the honor and hap- piness of one voor girl, what will his an- swer be, think you?” “Now,” sald Aziel, “save that no wrong E Is A BLOOD FEUD BETWEEN ts.” bones were Semitic in outline, while the full, prominent eyes and thick, sensuous lips could with equal certainty be attribut- ed to the negroid type. In fact, he was the son of @ native African queen, or chief- tainess, and a noble Phoenician, and his rank was that of absolute king and heredi- tary chief of a vast and undefined terri- tory which lay around the trading cities of the white men, whereof Zimboe was the chief. This king, who was named Ithobal, Azig] noticed, seemed argry and ill at ease, wifether because he was not satisfied with the place which had been allotted to him at table or for other reasons he could not at the time determine. hen the meats had been removed and the goblets filled with wine, men began to talk, till presently Sakon called for silence, rising, addressed Aziel. nce.” he said, “in the name of this great, free city—for free It is, though we nowledge the King of Tyre as our ain—I give you welcome within its «ates. Here, far in the heart of Libya, we have h mon, the glorious your grandfather, and of the Pharaoh of whose blood r also within your veins. Prince, we are honored in your coming. and for the asking whatever this land of gold can st is yours. Leng may you live. May the favor of the mi worship attend you. and in the pursuit of wisdom, of of war and of love, may the good of all be garnered fn your bosom, ind of prosperity winnow out them beneath your feet. I have greeted you as it behooves me to greet the son of Solomon and Now I add a word. Now I greet ather gre the man who has and beloved daughter from 1 bondage. Kno s st er did sin My daughter was a sa urpesing to bear her away . and this he would have done ® prince here given him battle fight, slain him. broke in the King Itho- gle savage.” . you say, king,” answer- “Ho, guards. bring in the body man and set it before us a pause, till presently eight ered up the hall bearing with nem the corpse of the savage, which they * down on the edge of the dais, still vered with the leopard skin mantle. “E id." said one of the bearers, with- wing the cloak from the huge body and pointing to the sword which transtixed it. he added, “and see what strength heaven gives to the arms of. prince: me of the guests as were near enougia re to look at the grizzly sight. then turned to offer their congratulations to the conqueror. But there was one of them— the King Ithobal—who offered none: in- deed, as bis eyes fell upon the face of the corpse they grew alight with rage. “What ails . king? Are you jealoas ef such a blow?” asked Sakon, watching riously ak no more of that thrust, I pray said Axiel, “for it was due to the t of the man rushing on the sword, h afterward I could not find the power to Bis dge from his breastbone." “Then I will do you that service, prince,” neered Ithobal, and, setting his foot upon breast of the corpse, with a sudden ort of his great strength he plucked out sword and cast it down upon the ta- ‘ore him. one might thi “tha a nk,” said Aziel, flush- ze . king, who do a mean challenge. "Doubtless, r, it is I who doe not understand t of th ountry.”” nk what will, princ ftain rn that he who lies hand, you son of my * answered the mothe ied Aziel en you a cousin who made to ravish maidens from are surely well rid of bus: omes. At ‘se words Ithobal sprang from his | seat, hand upc $ Sword, but fore could speek or draw ft. the g ernor, Sakon, addressed command. “Peace, king,” he sald, “and remember that the prince here is my guest, as you are. If that dead man was your cousin, at least he well deserved to die, not by the hand of one of royal blood, but by that c the executioner, for he was the worst of Now, tell me, how came your so far from home, since he was not numbered in ir retinue?” . Sakon,” answered Ithobal, nd if I knew I would not say. You teli me that he was a thief of women, which in Phoenictan eyes must be a crime indeed. So be it; but thief or no thief, I say that there is a blood feud hetween me and the wy who slew him, and were he Solomon m in a voice of | | break his power?" asked Aziel with a Strange anxiety, for now he guessed that this price was none other than Elissa, the woman whom he had rescued, and whose wisdom and beauty had stirred his heart. “It might be done, prince, but the risk would be great, and we are here to grow rich in trade, not to make war.” “I have a better and a cheaper plan,” said a calm voice at his elbow, that of Metem, “and it is this: Slip a bowstring over the brute’s head as he lies snoring, and pull it tight. An eagle in a cage is easy to deal with, but once on the wing the matter is different.” “There is wisdom in your counsel,” sald Sakon in a hesitating voice. “Wisdom!” broke in Aziel, “aye, the wisdom of the assassin. What, noble Sa- kon, would you murder a sleeping guest?” “No, prince, I would not,” he answered hastily. “Also, such a deed would bring the tribes upon us.” “Then, Sakon, you are more foolish than you used to be,” said Metem, laughing. “A man who will not dispatch a foe when- ever he can cateh him, by fair means or foul, is not the man to govern a rich city, set in the heart of a barbarous land, and so I shall tell Hiram, our king, if «ver I live to see Tyre again. As for you, most high prince, forgive the humblest of your servants if he tells you that the tend ness of your heart and the nobility of your sentiments will, I think, bring you to an early and an evil end,” and, glancing toward Elissa, as though to put a point upon his words, he smiled sarcastically j and withdrew. At this moment a messenger, whose long white hafr, wiid eyes and red robe announced him to be a priest of El, by which name the people of Zimboe wor- shiped Baal, entered the room and ¥his- pered something into the ear of that seemed to disturb him much. “Pardon me, prin and you, my guests, if I leave you,” said the governor, “but i have evil tidings that call me to the temple. The Lady Raaltis is seized with the black fever, and I must visit her.” And he hurried from the chamber. This news caused consternation among the company, and in the confusion that followed its announcement Aziel ined Elissa, who had passed on to the baicony of the house, and was seated there alene, looking out over the moonlit city and the plains beyond. At his approach she rose in token of respect, then set herself down again, motioning to him to do like- wise. ‘Give me of your wisdom, lady,” he said. ‘I thought that Baaltis was the godaess whom I heard you worsntping yonder in the grove. How, then, can she be stricken with a fever?” “She is the goddess,” Elissa answered, smiling, “but the Lady Baualtis is a wo- man whom we revere as the incarnation of the goddess upon earth, anda, being a wo- man, in her hour she must die.” “Then what becomes of the tion of the goddess?” “Another is chosen by the college of the priests of El and the company of priestesses of Baaltis. If che Lady Faal- tis who is dead chances to leave a daugh- ter, generally the lot falls upon her. If not, upon such one of the noole maidens as may be chosen.” “Does the Lady Baaltis marry, then?” “Yes, prince, within a year of her pub- lc consecration she must choose herself a husband, and he may be whom she will, provided only he is of white blood and Goes sacrifice to El and Baaltis. Then when she has named him he takes the title of shadid, and for so long as his wife shall live he is the high priest of the god El, and clothed with the majesty of the gcd, as his wife is clothed with the majesty of Baaltis, but should she die, #nother inearna- takes his plac “It 1s a strange faith,” sald Aziel, “which teaches that the God of heaven can find a home in mortal preasts. But, Jady, it is yours, so I shall say no more of it. Now, tell me, if you will, what did you mean when you said that that barbarian king, Ithobal, set the savage whom I slew to kidnap you? this or do you only suspect it?” “I suspe it from th first, prince. Moreover, I read it in his face as he look- ed upon the corpse and when he perceived me among the feasters.” “And why should he wish to carry you away thus brutally, lady, when he is at peace with the great city?” “Perchance, prince, after what passed to- night you can guess,” she answered, low- ering her eyes. “Yes, lady, I can guess, and though it is shameful that such a one should dare to think of you, still, since he is a man, I cannot blame him overmuch. But why should he press his suit in this fashion, instead of openly, as a king might do?” “He may have pressed it openly and been refused,” she replied in a low voice. “But if he could have carried me to some far Do you know can right @ wrong, I almost grieve that I cried shame upon the counsel of Metem. Fair lady, be sure of this, that I will give all I have, even to my life, to protect you | from a fate which you dread, and at which I shudder, all I have except my soul.” “Ah,” she cried, “all except your soul. Would that 1 could find the man who would give me both life and soul, for then, were he but a slave, I would love him as never man was loved since Baaltis mount- ed yonder heavenly throne.” ‘Were I not a Hebrew I should be tempt- ed to seek to take you at your word, lady,” he answered, smiling, “but being one, I may not risk my soul, even were such a love as yours within my reach. _ ‘Nay, prince,” she broke in, “I did but Jest; forget my words, for they’ were wrung from a heart distraught. Oh, did you know the terror of this man that onpresses me, you would forgive me all, a terror that this night les upon me with a tenfold weight.” Why so, lady?” “Doubtless because it is nearer,” she whispered. But her beautiful pleading eyes and quivering lips seemed to belie her words and say, “because you are nearer, and a change has come upon me.” For the second time that day Aziel's glance met hers, and for the second time a strange new pang that was more pain than joy, and yet divine, snatched at his heart strings, taking from him the power of speech and almost of thought. “What was it?" he wondered vaguely. He had seen many lovely faces, and many noble women had shown him’ favor, but why had none of them stirred his being after this sort? Could it be that thi fualden was she whom he was destined to ve above all upon ear , did already loves “Th PAY. Whom he said, taking a step toward a and he paused. _ She bowed her dark head ull her gold- bedecked and scented hair fell upon his feet, ard arswered: a hear you, lord.” her anotner voice broke upon silence, a clear, strident voice ihee Paine ‘Prince, forgive me, If for the second time this day 1 seek you, but the guests have gone, and your chamber is made ready, and, not knowing the customs of cere pei . ne country, I did not guess as shoul ins ‘ou_aloi e them at such an hour." eee a Aziel looked up, although there was littie need for nim to do so, for well he kneyv that voice, to see the tall form of the Le- vite Issachar standing before them with cold anger stamped upon his face and oe in his eyes. sa saw also, and, with som - mured words of farewell. she turned and went, leaving them together. CHAPTER Iv. The Dream of Issachar. For a moment there was silence, which Aziel broke, saying: “It seems to me, Issachar, that you are scmewhat over zealous for my welfare.” “I think otherwise, princ: replied the Levite sternly. “Did not your great grand- sire, Solomon, give you into my keeping, and shall £ not be faithful to my trust, end to a higher duty than any he could lay upon me?’ “Your meaning, Issachar?’ “It is plain, prince, but I will set it out. Solomon said to me yorder in the hall of his golden palace: ‘Behold, to others, men of war, I have given charge of the body of this my grandson to keep him safe. To yeu, Issachar, I give charge over his soul to keep it safe—a higher task and more difficult. Guard him, Issachar, from the temptation of strange doctrines and the whispering of strange gods, but guard bim most of all from the wiles of strange wo- men who bow the knee to Baal, for such are the gate of gshenra upon earth, and tkcse who enter by it shall find their Place in Tophet.’ ” “Truly, my grandsire should be able to speak wisely on this’ matter as on all others,” answered Aziel, “but still I do not understand.” “Then I will speak more clearly, prince. Hew ccmes it that I find you alone with this beautiful sorceress, this worshiper of the she-devil, Baaltis, with whom you should scorn even to speak, save such werds aa courtesy demands?” asked Aziel “Is it then forbidden to me? angrily, “to talk with the daughter of my best, a girl whom I chanced to save from death, of the customs of her country and the mysteries of worship?” “The mysteries cf worship,” answered Iseachar, scornfully. “Ay! the mysteries of the worship of that fair body of hers, that ivory chalice filled with foulness, whereof if a man drink his faith shall be rotted and his soul poisoned. The mysteries of what worship? wap: it, prince, that caused you but lean toward this woman as to embrace her, with words of love jyour between your Ii 7 esses of Baaltis , full they are of dcm given to them by ‘With tcuch and the blood of yout thereto, till it drowns the coi prince, hear the had never seen love her. Deny ifcir your honor and 1 will are no Har.” 1:4 of Aziel thought a nt and ans:ver>d: “Issachar, on t! Matter you have little right to question ‘me, yet since you have adjured me by Honor, I will be open with you. I know not‘if I love this woman, who, as you say, is a stranger to me, but it is true that my being turns toward her lke a flower to the sun. Till today I had never seen her, yet when my eyes first fell upon her face yonder in that accursed Srove, it seemed to me that I had been born only that I might find her. It seemed to me that for ages I had known her, that for- ever she was mine, and that I was hers. Oh, tell me, Issachar, what is this? Is it but passion born of youth and the sight of a fair woman? That cannot be, for I have known others as fair and have passed through some such fires. Tell me, Issachar, you who are old and wise, and have seen much, what is it that overwhelms me?” “What is it? It is witchery. It is the wile of Beelzebub waiting to snatch your soul, and if you harken to it you shall pass through the fire—through the fire of Moloch, if not in the flesh, then in the spirit, which is to all eternity. Oh, not in vain do I fear for you, my son, and not without Treason was Y warned in a dream. Listen. Last night, as I lay in my tent yonder upon the plain, I dreamed that some danger over- shadowed you, and in. my sleep I prayed that your destiny might be revealed to me. As I prayed thus I heard a voice saying, ‘Issachar, since you seek to learn the fu- ture, know that he who is dear to you shail be tried In the fire, indeed. Yes, because of his great love and pity he shall forswear his faith and with death and sorrow he shall pay the price of sin.’ “Then I was troubled, and besought heav- en that you, my son, might be saved from this unknown temptation, but the voice an- swered me: “‘Of their own will only can they who Were one from the beginning be held apart. Through good and ill let them work each other's woe or weal. The goal ts sure, but they must choose the road.’ “Then as I wondered what these sayings might mean, the darkness opened and I saw you, Aziel, standing in a grove of trees, while toward you with outstretched hands drew a veiled woman, who bore upon her brow the golden bow of Baaltis. And fire raged about you, and in the fire I be- held many things which I have forgotten, and moving through was the Prince of Death, who slew and slew and spared not; and I awoke heavy at heart, knowing that there had fallen on me who love you a shadow of doom to come.” In these latter days any educated man would set aside Issachar’s wild vision as the vaporings of a mind distraught. But Aziel lived in the time of Solomon, when men of his nation guided their steps by the light of prophecy and believed that it was the pleasure of God, by means of dreams and wonders and through the mouths of His chosen seers, to declare His will upon earth. To this faith, indeed, we still hold fast, at least so far as that period and people are concerned, seeing that we acknowledge Isaiah, David, and their com- pany, to have been inspired from above. Of that company Issac the Levite was one, for to him, from his youth up, voices had spoken in the watches of the night, and often he had poured his warnings and de- nunciations into the ears of kings and ples, telling them with no uncertain of the consequences of sin and idolatry, of punishment to come. This Aziel had been his ward and pupil, knew well, and therefore he did not mock at the priest’ dream or set it aside as naught, but bowed his head and listened. “Iam honored, indéed,” he said with hu- mility, ‘that the destiny of my poor soul and body should be a thing of weight to the cherubim on high.” “Of your poor soul, Aziel,” Issachar, “know that soul of yours’ of which you speak so lightly is of as great value in the eyes of Him who made it as that of any cherubim who still looks upon His face. The angels who fell were the first and greatest of the angels, and though now we be clad in mortal shape in punish- ment of our sins, again redeemed and giari- fied we can become among the mightiest of their hosts. Oh, my son, I beseech you, turn from this woman while there yet is me, lest to you her lips should be a cup of woe and your soul shall pay the price of them sharing the hell of the worship- ers of Ashteroth.” “It may be s said Aziel, “but Issacher, what said the voice? That this the woman of your dream and I were one from the be- ginning. Issachar, you believe that the Lady Elissa is she of whom the voice spoke, and you bid me turn from her because she will bring me to sin and punishment. In truth, if I can I will obey you, since rather than forswear my faith, as the voice fore- told, I would die a hundred deaths. Nor do I believe that for any bribe of woman's love I shall forswear it in act or thought. Yet if such things come about, it is fate that drives me on, not my will—and what man can flee his fate? But even though this lady be she whom I am doomed to love, you say that because she is heathen I must reject her. Shame upen the thought, for if she is heathen, it is through ignor- ance, and {t may be mine to change her heart. Because I stand in danger shall I suffer her who was and is and shall be of me, to be lost in the hell of Baal, whereof you speak? Nay, your dream is false. I will not renounce my faith, but rather will win her to share it, and together we shall triumph, and that I swear it you, Issa- char.” Truly the evil one has many wiles,” an- swered the Levite, wringing his hands, “and I did ill to tell you of my dream, see- ing that it can be twisted to serve the pur- pose of your madness. Have you will, Aziel, and reap the fruit of it, but of this I warn you—that while I can find a way to thwart it, never, prince, shall you take that witch to your bosom to be the ruin of your life and soul.” “Then, Issachar, on this matter there is war between us?” “Ay, there is war,” said the Levite, and left him. fiend they serve. look sey can ed much practice ted the veins end in_ its flood. - Nay, broke in (To be continued.) = UNIVERSITY NOTES, Georgetown University. The Junior Law Class Debating Society held a meeting last evening to discuss the question, ‘Resolved, That the United States should adopt a more vigorous for- eign policy.” The speakers were Messrs. O'Neill, Franc and Hicks, affirmative, and Messrs. Tillman, Van Casteel and Bullock, negative. A meeting of the senior taw class has been called for Monday evening. The question for debate at the meeting of the Law Debating Society this evening will be, “Resolved, ‘Phat the coast defenses of the United States should be strength- See ened.” 3 An examination in civil law was held last evening in the daw school. Judge McComi#s was absent from the city on Monday and ‘Wédnesday, and his place was filled at the school by Prof. D. W. Baker. 5 There will be‘e boncert this evening at the university,’ in Gaston Hall, at which the following program will be rendered: Man- dolin Club, “ \dezyou: Mr. John Shea, “Forest King’s, Victory; Mr. Sol Minster, violin solo; Magter,Hall Lusk, song; man- dclin quartet, “Spring Song;” banjo solo, J. H. Keller, “‘Darkey's Awakening;” M T. Crosby, tempor solo, ‘Soldier's Son; banjo sextet,,, “Bride Blec Mr. L. E. Gannon, baritone solo, ‘Gypsy John;” Mr. J. Fahnestock, solo; Mr. E. J. Walsh, recitation; Dixie Quartet, “On the Banks o2 the Wabash, Far Away; mandolin quartet; Mr. George O'Connor, vocal seles- tions. The pool and billiard tournaments have just been completed, and the consolations are now being played off. Messrs. Ceppi and Mulligan played the final game in the billiard tournament, the former winning after a very close game. Mr. Duffy fin- isked third. Mr. Head was the only scratch man entered. Messrs. Kennedy, Mulany and Mulligan finished first, second ani third, respectively, in the pool tournament. The bowling tournament has a!so com- menced and the first round is almost com- pleted. Messrs. Ceppi and E. L. Byrne are the scratch men and there are a number of other contestants entered. The Merrick debate is to take place next Tuesday between Messrs. Edward J. Brady, "98, and Semuel J. Weggaman, '9S, affirma- tive, and Messrs. Morris B. Kirby, '98, and Thomas J. O'Neill, '98, negative. The glee, mandolin and banjo club will render se- lections during the evening. The first practice base ball game of the season will be on the 22d. Columbian University. All candidates for the base ball team have been notified to report to Manager Arthur Cranston of the medical depart- ment. A meeting of the tennis players of the university for the purpose of forming a tennis association among the universities im this vicinity has been called for this evening at 7 o'clock. “Resolved, That women should have equal. suffrage with men” was the question for debate at the last meeting of the Law School Debating Society, and the speakers were Messrs. K. M. Andrews and W. A. Rill, attirmative, and Messrs. W. T. Austin and J. R. McCain, negative. The question this evening, ‘Resolved, That the govern- ment should own and control the telegraph and telephone systems,” will be treated by Messrs. C. O. Guynes and W. F. Kirk, af- mative, and Messrs. A. F. Hawksworth and H. A. White, negative. Next Satur- day evening the question will be ‘Resolved, That the policy of excluding Chinese la- borers should be maintained and rigorously erforced.” The speakers ciiosen are Messrs. R. H. Riddleberger and C. T. Carther, affirmative, and J. W. Butts and H. A. Pierce, negative. The Virginia Club held a smoker last evening. Tke Columbian Corcoran Society will hold a valentine social this evening. Prof. Josiah Pierce will give a lecture this evening on “The Geometry of Maps.” This is the second lecture of his course on “Mep Reading,” which commenced on the 12th instant, and will continue until March 12, embracing in all five lectures. The members of the senior class of the ccliege department held a meeting Thurs- day. The college department gave a dance last evening. The question for debate at the meeting of the Enosinian Society last evening was, “Resolved, That the Hawaiian Islands should be annexed to the United States.” Mr. F. D. Simons, M. 8S. in chemistry, 1806, has been appointed to a position in the Department of Agriculture. The members of the senior law class will held a dance Tuesday night. Howard University. The Purnell, Class A, Literary Society, held its regular meeting last evening, at which the following program was rendered: Charles Jackson, declamation; Miss A. B. Hale, recitation; Mr. Davis, declamation; Miss McWilliams, essay; debate between J. G. Beaudhuy and H. P. Payne, affirmative and negative, respectively, on the question, “Resolved, That good manners and social courtesies should constitute a cardinal branch of study in school courses.” Prof. R. B. Warder and Seniors G. 8. Murray and Calvin Alexander have been chosen as delegates from Howard to the third international convention of the Stu- dents’ Volunteer Movement, which is to be held at Cleveland, Ohio, from the 224 to the 27th instant. Prof. Richard Foster will deliver an ad- dress on “Nature Teaching in Elementary Schools” to the members of Prof. Moore's class in pedagegy on Monday. The Christian Endeavor Society, at its meeting this evening, will have as the lead- er Mr. I. T. Gillam, whose subject will be “Every Christian a Missionat In addi- tion to the regular exercises there will b: an address by Prof. W. V. Tunnell, be sides the reading of short papers by the different members of the society on the subject of missionary work in its various branches. There was little base ball practice this week on-account of the weather. Catholic University. Dr. Conaty, rector of the university, left the university erday for New Orleans, where he will deliver 2 course of five lec- tures at the solemn opening of the new winter school at that place. His theme will be “The Relation of the Church to the Edu- cational Movement of Today.” Thursday last Rev. Maurice livered a public lecture in th room, McMahon Hall, on the subject * Acting Play Senator S. R. M deliver a lecture on Ge next week, and on the first two Thursdays in March Rev. Thos. J. Shahan will speak on “Writing and Miniature in the Barly Keltic MSS.“‘ and “Decorative Art in the Early Keltic Church.” Rey. Dr. Pace, dean of the faculty of philosophy, is giving a course of ten lec- tures before the ‘Cathedral Library Unt- versity Extension” at New York. Among the visitors to the university this week were Rey. J. S. Lodge, D.D., of Utica, N. Y.; Rev. John F. Mulany of Syracuse, N, Y¥., and Rey. Father Nagle of Boston, Mass. The Chronicle is expected to make its ap pearance within the next few d: —_.— MODERN SCIEN Predictions for the Twentieth Cen- tury Are Broad. From the Popular Science Monthly. It may be that we are, with respect to the coming century, in the same immature mental condition in which the pcople of the eighteenth century were with regard to the nineteenth. If some one in the preceding century had dared to predict the wonderful achievements of the nineteenth, he would probably have been declared a fool, and treated as was Robert Mayer, in Germany, in this century, who, after the discovery of the law of the conservation of force, Was put into an insane asylum. A like fate might befall the man who should dare now to cast 2 horoscope for the twentieth century, and to predict the progress of the human mind in the various domains of scientific research. After all, those may be right who, in spite of all those acquisitions on which we so justly pride ourselves, are of opinion that we are still moving in only the initial steps, in the leading strings of evolution, and that we are yet very far from the goal of those material and ideal aims which the human race in its unremit- ung onward struggle is destined to attain, or to show Its capacity of attaining. The great Sir Isaac Newion used, perhaps, the most appropriate simile when he com- pared men with children who on the sea- shore are picking up here and there a cu- rious pebble or colored shell while th> great sea of truth lies still unexplored be- fore them. We can only conjecture as to the probable progress, as we cannot know which position we occupy in the course of human evolution, whether we are still in its beginnings or well advanced. This lies hid- den in the bosom of the future. ee nee A KNOWING DOG. gan de- He Had a Glass Eye and Never Rub- bed It Out. From London Sketch. Marmaduke is dead. He was only a Blen- heim spaniel, but he was wonderful in his way, for he had a glass eye. He was bred by the Duchess of Marlborough, who takes @ great interest in the famous kennel. As will occasionally happen to small dogs, he tried to show his superiority over the feline race; but on one occasion a pugnacious cat Ceclined to take orders from Marmaduke, and enforced its refusal by giving Marma- duke “one in the eye” with its claws. The result was that Marmaduke's eye was de- gtroyed. The duchess then sent the spaniel to a veterinary surgeon, to be fitted to a glass cye, as she was especially fond of the little fellow, and the sight of the empty socket was repugnant. After he was sent back with his rew <. >, her grace was made nervous by seeing his staring artificial eye, it being just _a little previous to a visit of the Earl of Blandford, and so a home was scught for the unfortunate little blue blood, which was found with Miss E. L. Mocre of Denmark Hill, near Wocdstock. The glass eye is the right one, and is exactly matched to the other brown, animated one. Marmaduke never tried to scratch or rub out the eye, but seemed to understand why it was there. He was run over by. a van. —_—_+ o + _____ Had a White Congregation. From the Louisville Post. “I saw in the lttle town of Corydon, Henderson county, the other day, a most unusual sight,” said a gentleman just from the Pennyrile cistrict. “It was nothing mcre nor Jess then a negro minister de- livering an eloquent sermon to a congrega- tion composed entirely of whites. It was a thing I had never seen in the south, and I remarked on it at the time. The minister was an itinerant preacher, a tall mulatto, dressed in a black suit, and with an earn- estness of manner I have seldom seen in the colored men of the cloth. The travel- ing servant of the Lord had announced his intenticn of speaking on the public square, and he preached te a good-sized crowd of respectful white listeners.” USE CLAY FOR FOOD The Curious Habit to Which Some People Are Addicted. DOWN IN ALABAMA AND GEORGIA Theirs is a Wretched Life and Darkened by Superstition. MAKERS OF MOONSHINE Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. MOBILE, Alabama, February 15, 1898. Clay as an article of daily food would not be relished by most people, but there are residents of Winston county, in the north- western part of Alabama, who say they could not live without it The ciay eaten by these people is found along the banks of the small mountain streams and is in inexhaustible quantities. It is of a dirty white color usually, but sometimes of a pale yellow, and has a pe- cullarly oily appearance. The clay eaters claim that the oil keeps it from sticking to the hands or mouth and prevents it from crumbling when dry, a few drops of water being required to soften it, when it can be rolled into any shape desired. The clay is almost without taste, but musi possess some nourishment, as these people who eat it declare they can subsist upon it for days. They place a small piece in the mouth an hold it there nutil it gradually dissolves and is swallowed in small quantities at a lime. The quantity eaten at one time varies from a lump as large as a pea to one as large a turkey’s egg, the size being governed according to the age of the person, or, rather, the length of time h: has been accustomed to eating it. Eftccia of the Habit. To the writer the only bad e1 ot clay eat- ing seemed to vroduce is the peculiar ap- pearance it gives to the skin of those ad- dicted to the habit. The skin turns So pale, in fact, as to give the face the pallor of death— and then later on it turns @ pecuilar pale yellow—a color closely re- sembling some of the clay eaten. Children Who are addicted to the habit grow old, at least in appearance, prematurely, and their faces lose forever the bright glow of youth and health. There is litt ckness among the clay eaters, and they live as long the average of mankind, so it is arg that the habit is not fatal in its ¢ But while there is little People appear to © lost amount of energy possessed by P averag: Alabamian, and are lazy and shiftle pearing not to care so long as they ¢ out an existence. This fact is also true the clay eaters of Noriii Carclina, being colonies of them in that state. of there A Rade Community. Winston count ty in the state, there being but churche Ala., is the poorest coun- and is sparsely settied, few school houses and The clay eaters live in rade lo; cabins built of smail pine logs, from wh the bark is sometimes removed. As a gen- eral thing the cabin contains no window: and but one door. In winter the cracks between the logs are filled with clay or rags, and sometimes boards ure nailed over them on the outside. In summi are opened in order to 2 h air to enter. ‘The ir these plenty ior of the cabin is rude in the extrem here being ne pictures on the wail, no aments of any kind, and often no fu ure Le by of the name. If there are be are of the crudest kind, made of the family with no other t han a saw and hatchet. Usually the cabin is small for bedsteads, if the family is lar and they sleep on quilts and straw beds spread on the floor. The entire family often ten or more persons, eat and sleep ii one small recom. The cooking is done in one firepl the utensils consisting of a frying pan, skillet, oven kettle and pot, and the tableware is even more scant. Cook- ing stoves, sewing machines and all mod- era conveniences are almost unknown, and some of these people will not believe that such articles really exist. In some of the cabins a ciréus poster may occasionally be found, but beoks and newspapers are un- krown, sometimes whole’ families being found who cannot read. A majority of them do not believe in “book larnin’.” Ifa church-going family is found a cheap Bible can be seen in the cabin, but it is never read save when the circuit rider pays a visit. A story is told that one @: yoa preacher was reading some portion of the Scripture in which it says that Jesus Christ died io save sinners. The good old motherly woman to whom he was reading exclaimed: “Is that so? I allus told Samu-el that we'd die in ig’runce ef we didn’t take the paper.” A Miserable Existence. These pocr but apparently contented peo- ple eke out a miserable existence by farm- ing. fishing and hunting, and sometimes by making white mule whisky. Their farms or patches, as they call them, are smut! clearings around their cabins and are | never more than a few acres in extent. | The crops consist of corn, peas and pota- toes, and a few who are fortunate enough | to own horses attempt to raise a cotton. As the land is very p is small. and the “crap they pronounce it—are nearly always cul- tivated by the women, the men devoting their time to fishing and hunting. A few hegs are raised, but the larger of the peopie depend on the country stoi lite or the yiel: for the few pounds of meat they eat during | the year. In almost every caye and on every Mttle brook among the hills is a “moonshine stil, anc the litle crop of corn gathered by the ciay-eater is sold to the owner of the still and converted into “mountain dew” on shares. Nearly all of them, men, women and children, drink, and as the too far from market to market their corn for money, they find it more convenient to carry it in liquid form to some of the larger settlements, where the fluid is easily disposed of at good pmices, either for cash, tobacco, snuff or “caliker.” Men, women and children are slaves to the tobacco habit, and the women’s Sunday dresses are seldom made of more costly material than calico. Very Superstitio: It may or may rot be the result of clay eating, but these people are as superstitious as the followers of a voodoo. They have signs for almost everything, and almost worship the noon. Corn is planted when the moon is full, and potatoes are planted on the dark of the moon. They will not start on a journey or begin a job of work unless the moon is right, and they fore- tell storms and all kinds of disasters by the appearance of the moon. If one end of a new moon ts lower than the other it will rain before the moon charges again, at is the way | portion | | but If the new moon is level there will be Do rain until another change occurs. The average clay eater has a mortal dread of an owl, The hooting of an owl at any hour of the day or night ts an omen of ‘N-luck, and if heard at Right and answered by the howl of a dog, at is a sign that one of the family must soon die. As soon as the hoot of an owl is heard @ chair is overturned, which they claim will break the “spell” if the, hooting ceases at onc but if it continues there is sure to be some trouble. The howling of a dog at night answered by the noot of an owl is also a sign of some approaching fatality, which can only be warded off by throwing salt in the fire. These clay waters have hun- dreds of just such beliefs, and they will Wkely cling to them until that ‘section of Alabama is more advanced in civilization and intelligence. They are kind and hos- pitable and are happy in their mode of living. - VALRY CORPs, FAMOUS CA A Spirit Which Makes Fighting Not ® Trade, but an Ini From the Times of India. In the celebrated corps known as the Guides Cavairy esprit de corps ts more than a word. is a living part of the regiment. Even the last joined ruit feels no punishment so deeply as the re proach: “You do no credit to the corps and mature soldiers in very shame voiun- take their discharge if so addressed by an officer. Illustrative of the high value personal Sravery in the gundes us against a Babulike knowledge of the drill book, two interesting instances may be men- tioned. There was on the Yusafzal bor- der a noted freelance named Futteh Khan, nas and intrepid as himself. Even the at_and resourceful Sir Harry Lums- den, with his guides, could not bring Uhis placed on who had a small following of he bold man to book, though oft he tried. At last Lumsden struck at a unique solution of the problem by deciding that he would enlist Futteh Khan and the whole of his band! Accordingly a polit tter Was written ng that Lumsden had the greatest respect for the bravery and daring of Fu teh Khan and his band, a that they and the guic dit was should ¢ pity niinue 4 bootless feud to the profit of neither, and that he would make Futteh Khan a_ressaldar and tak ver the whole of bis band as it stood! Futteh ace o®er, and he and his men served with distinction for many years in the guides, taking part in the historic march to Dethi and doing yeoman service before its walls The other incident oecurred when Sir neis Jenkins was colonel. The guides, with other troops, having je a turning movement, dropped down into the Khyber in the rear of All Musjid, so a the enemy’s retreat when the fr ack should be driven home. Amc of the fugith me Up vas a squadron of Afghan cav- which, making a rush for it, man- with some loss, to run the gauntie’ t through. One man elo: w walking his horse in the wake of < ntly waving his the heavy fire of S00 ot to b was a rifisa. § hit y rancis imme to sound. was delightfu * said Who Sultan box « n't tn whole bra’ the \ monstrous! “will 1 wii ard of you And any enlist in said Sultan J distinction the en cam- o years, when to his colonel and « n. war and said not fa Indian « your hig At ission I will nc way he wen INVENTOR OF LEAD PIPE. Interesting Life of Robert Sey- dell of Milton, From the Philadelphia Press. There was born in Milton, Pa., a man of wond@erfu , itis said. His me was Robert and he died in 1847. Four children survive him, two of whom still reside there—a son, Jacob Sey- dell, and a daughter, Mrs. M. L. Gray. Mr. Seydell was a coppersmith and was almost continuously werking out some de- vice connected with the machinery in his factory. ‘To him, it is related by some of the oidest citizens of this piace, belongs the discovery of the process of making l-ad and iike many other inventors, the ot making the same was siosien irom him and further developed to its present form of manufacture it was in th jatter pari of Uhe thirties that the idea suggested itself to nim, and the following 1s the way he wrought it out: in ise He trst took a siug, or casting of lead, placing it on a mandel, or rod of steel, out sixteen fest long and cone meh in diameter; the mandel was highly polished and upon this he drew or r ed out the lead to the full length of the rod, thvs giv- ing him an inch bore, and tne material was rolled, it 1s said, to a one-fourth inch, making a total diameter of one and one- if inches for the pipe. After com eral sections of the eth of ti . he soldered * mi toge-her, making the pipe of whatever length he desired He put it to practical use by fastening it to pump heads and also running it trom springs to connect watering troughs and houses m the country round t Bemg greatly pleased with his y, and receiving the most flattering of comments from hus friends an] neigh- bers in this section, he concluded to make his invention more widely kuown, and hence made a visit to Philadelphia, taking his device with him, At the Franklin Insutute in that ciiy geve his first exhibition to quite a num of inventors, Mechantes. it is now reiated, ev of whom nessed it were more than delighted, and so expressed themselves in ais immediate presence. It was not long that he was aliowed to remain in a condition of supr>me happi- ness over his invention, for a short time afier he made a disclosure of his discovery, and while yet in Philadelpnia, he found out that by tne very persons to whom he had given an >xhibition of the process of mak- ing lead pipe his idea had been used and improved upon. Mr. Seydell was a man of great piety. enthusiastic devotee of the chureh— Baptist—with which he was conn3cied. pee A Fatal Oversight. From Puck. “I should like to know,” began the city editor, as he stepped among his subordi- nates with fire in each eye, “why—”" A noticeable shudder of fear passed thrcugh the entire staff. “The man who wrote up the dog show never once said that society was going to the bow-wows.” From an adjoining room came the sound of a pistol shot and a heavy fall, The culprit had chosen not to survive his disgrace. he As a Particular People Who Delight in Perfect Dinners Pronounce Blue Label Soups € better than possible to produce in their own kitchens, and superior in quality and flavor t any other brand. ‘They possess the same peculiar char- acteristics which have made ‘‘Blue Label” Ketchup and the other ‘Blue Label” delicacies famous among epicures the world over. Leading Grocers. CURTICE BROTHERS CO., Rocuasrza, NY.