Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-11-22
The king started in establishment and

horror.
$50 low" continued the deceiver," that
nothing will revive it; and it is feared it
will be extinguished for ever! Then woe
upon Susa! woe upon PERSIA"
Ar,axerxes was superstitious man,
and as he listened to this artui tale pale
ness sat upon his royal brow, and his limbs
trembled He remembered the fate OF the
nations around him; for he had looked up
en- fallen Tyre, and Jerusalem, and Baby
lon--and now he began to fear the doom
of Persia was decreed.
Perhaps something might be done to pro-
pitiate the gods" he said. 60, good Ha-'
man-seek the priests, inquire if any thing
lies in my power, and l will do it,"
81 met Dejoces coming to see you, my
ord," said the lying Hannah. "He bid
me say, he with his brethren will spend the
night in prayer, and in studying the plan
cts. He requests thy presence, oh king
at the Temple tomorrow a: sunrise. Then
when Mythra first maifests himself to the
world, he will be most propitious, and the
priests will then inform thee of the result OF
their nightly watching"
The monarch and his favorite sat late
that night over their banquet, and the next
morning early, repaired to tho Temple.
City and valley were yet in the shade;
but the snowy peaks of the neighboring
mountains were rosy with the suns first
rav-and as they ascended the temple
steps he rushed suddenly from behind the
rocky barrier. and flooded the world with
his golden showers. The sacred FIRE which
had been purposelv replenished; with bile,s
of wood burned brightly and clearly as the
king entered.
''How is this?" he said. was told the
holy fire burnt low, and, behold! the flames
reach to the roof"
at doth at present, oh, king" SAID the
priest who came to meet Artaxerxes; but
there are moments when it burns SO low,
that gaze in horror lest it be extinguish-
ed, and ruin come upon the nations in con-
GLOW account you for this?" asked the
king. Have your last nights yigils dis
covered aughtP
sit hath, oh, king, Hear the revealed
will of the gods. They are angry to be-
lod this highly favored city filed with ac-
cursed idolaters! They stink in the nos
ris of Mythra--and | have learned from
ny midnight studies, the sacred fire will be
luenched ii the land is not pureed of their
lefiling presence"
"HA Idolators-who are they asked
Artaxerxes.
"The Jews, my lord"
"The Jews! they are esteemed useful
md peaceful people,
.Let the king live forever" said Ha-
nan, advancing. even fit were not the
yod's decree, permit me humbIy to suggest
t would be for the kings benefit to send
AWAY this people. They respect not the
iine's laws, but abide by their own; there
ore 1t is not for the kings profit to suffer
hem. lift please the king let it be written
hat they be destroyed, and | will pay ten
thousand talents into the treasury as some
for the loss of their services.
They are scattered over the kings provin-
;es, mixing with the people, and teaching
hem to rebel against their royal master"
"Speak not of expediency," said the
,rcst, sterny. cit is the will Of the gods
o remove them, aud who dare question
t? They must be exterminated, oh, king!
They dare to revile our sacred and say
HelT you Has iol"Su ttiO sum WV iSS'NSASN
If ours"
The king was awed-conyinced. Caring
nothing for the Jews, and willing to do the
priests and his favorite a service, he at
1nce consented to their wishes.
''The gods shall be obeyed;" he said.
''IIaman, see that this troublesome race be
thrust from the city"
"The city," said Haman. "They are
spread all over the kings dominion, and
cannot be driven forth"
"They must die, oh, king! said the
Arch-Magii. solemnly.
die What, all this people?"
"Yes--aH" said the priest, sternly.
tThey and their wives and little ones.
Wouldst thou dispute the commands of
Mythra? Wouldst thou deliver the land
prey to Ahrimaness"
''You are then certain these Jews are
the cause Of the anger of the gods?" ask
ed, the king, hesltating to consent to the
of so many of his subjects.
At that moment the fire of the altar be-
gan to grow dim. |, sunk and flashed and
ilckered until the former brilliancy which
had lighted the temple had given place to
dusky, angry glare. The priests shrieked
and tore their robes.
"The sacred fire is going out !" they
cried "The holy fame is extinguished!
Woe upon Persia woe woe -
"'ris jew passing the tcmple!" cried
Dejoces. at ever sinketh thus when the
idolaers tread within the precincts of the
Ill, a. lat ord