Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-29
tflisrelIaneoils.
From Household World
MIRIAM THE SHADOW.

rTUln louStHou Norus.
MIRIAM THE SHADOW.
There existed formerly, according to tradition,
confirmed by some European Travellers near the
city of Damietta, in Egypt, church Of the
Copts, in which on St. Georges day very re-
markable event used to take place every year.
Precisely at noon, along the white wall above
the altar, there began procession of dim phan-
toms; some mounted on horseback, others on
foot, some male and some female. The priests
attached to the church maintained that these
apparitons were saints who chose to present
themselves at this period in order to revive the
faith of the Christian people who were in servi-
tude to unbelieving masters. As the fact was
undoubtcd, and admitted even by Jews and
Franks, who came to wonder and try to explain,
the Coptic Congregation in those times, when
such circumstance was not considered at all
repugnant to the laws of nature, of course ac-
cepted the miricle and derived benefit rom the
belief. In our days they would probably have
been derided by public opinion, at least in these
western countries but in the East, ghosts, and
genii, and spirits of all ranks and classes-good
and evil--were then, as now, considered to be as
necessary to carry on the business of this world
as breezes and showers. Even the most useless
and idle apparitions are looked upon as matter
of course "The earth hath bubbles as the wa
ter hath; and these are of them," would have
exactly expressed their notion. But most spir-
itual agencies, according to them, are appoint
ed by Providence to perform certain fixed duties.
There are beings to watch over lovers, and 9TH
ers to torment the wicked. We are accustomed
to suppress yawn, because of the laws of et-
qustte; but an Egyptian Fellah profoundly be-
lieves he must do so because there exists u par
ticular kind of demon, specially appointed to
leap down the throats of gaping mortals.
| As long as this church stood there was an an
nual pilgrimage, from all the surrounding dis
tricts, of pious people who wished to have oc-
ular evidence of the fact that saints did revisit
the earth in order to cheer and console them
On St. Georges day, the neighborhood of the
church was converted into camp. The stran-
gers began to arrive on the previous evening, on
asses, on mules, on camcls, in boats down the
river. Some set up good tents as protection
against the dew-fall others made little sheds
of palm branches and blankets and many biv-
ouacked in the open air round great fires light
ed at intervals upon the plain. Few, however,
slept-rcligious excitement having wrought up
their minds to q pitch of rervor that rendered
rest impossible. Some prayed, others sang
Others talked, many walked apart in meditation
A continual hum rose from the camp, and was
carried by the sea breeze far away over the coun-
try, to greet the little caravans that were con-
verging towards the same point along every
path.
On one occasion-tradition is not very precise
as to the date--a large boat manned by dozen
rowers, on coming round sharp promontory
into broad reach that sparkled in the moon
like lake of silver, was greeted by the distant
murmur of the camp of pilgrims. An old man
with white beard who sat in the portico Of
the cabin, instantly gave orders to moor under
the bank. The rowers, with quick dropping
chant, brought the head of the galley round tc
the stream, and found a convenient landing
: place near group of sycamores. The old mar
| remained medtating a short time in his place
9 and then, unlocking a little lamp that swung
from chain, went into the cabin, shading tn
b light with his hand and walking cautiously a
: if into sick chamber. On one of the couches
r under curtains Of gauze, there was a perso
s sleeping, who, at first sight, might have bee
mistaken for maiden. A light down, how
s ever, on the upper lip, and some sternness abou
the eyebrows, indicated the sleeper to be youth
= He was very pale, and looked sickly. The oil
9 man gazed at him for little time, and the
: made the light to play upon his eyelids, an
Q said gently, My son, my son, we have arrive
at the destination of fate, and it is meet thu
p we should say the prayers which are necessar
to bring blessing upon u.s." The young maj
after murmuring little time some words
which the name of Miriam recurred two {
% three times, awoke with a cheerful smile an
n , said, 81 thank thee, father" Then the ol
man stopped down and kissed him on the for
u head, and took out large book from beneat
the cushion and began to read, pausng no
and then for his son to say "Amen," which /
did very devoutly. The sailors meanwhile ha
: lighted a FIRE on the bank, and were saying the
y prayers around it. There was no sound but ii
It gurgling Of the water along the sides of IL
d boat, except that now and then, with the risin
n and falling Of the gentle wind the marmur
n the camp came sweeping by. 18a
y Han HANNA was the principal accountant
the treasury of the Sultan of Egypt Thong
he had amassed large fortune in the exerci
- of his functions, he was reputed for probit.
III and had earned the respect both of prince ar
people. This is saying much in the East, whel
I" 1t Is supposed that a good fnancier must be
dishonest man. Han HANNA had but one chill
the son for whose sake he had undertaken tn
ut pilgrimage. The mother had long since bee