The Grange advance., 1874-09-30
The GREAT TROJAN SCANDAL,
The True Story of Paris and helen
e.Report Of the Committee Of Sin.
[From the Graphic.]

| ~AoSosS14eS Waue ny LIT. OcnNe.
mann on the site of ancient Troy is
one which not only fully confirms the
homerlc legend, but which is in itself
SO extraordinary as TO seem almost in
credible. 1t is nothing less than the
discovery ameng the so-called ':treas-
ures OF Prlam Of series Of papyri con-
tanning full account of the abduction
OF Helen. The preservation of these
papyri is. to be accounted for by the
tact that they were inclosed in a chest
formed by thick slabs of asbestos, which
resisted the lire that consumed Troy.
| They include copies of several of the
leading Greek and Trojan journals of
/ the day, thus refuting the popular theo-
T ry that journalism was unknown to the
ancients. ! have been permitted.
[ through the kindness of Herr Won Coh-
woinhund. late German Consul at Con-
stantinople, to see the original docu-
ments-all Of which are written in
Greek-and to make translations of the
most interesting facts set forth bv
them. l am, therefore, in a position to
give your readers the most trustworthy
account of the great Trojan scandal
which has appeared for 5000 years.
The identity Of the Homeric charac-
ters is fully confirmed, and the legend
that Paris visited Menelaus a; Messene
IS substantiated in all it's main features.
Paris was, however, not the mere hand
some guardsman whom Homer has de-
scrlbed, but young Prince of great
promise, Who had already written
number Of popular works, and who was
engaged while at Messense on Life of
Prometheus.
Menelaus does noe seem to have sus-
pected any intimacy between the hand
some Trojan and his wife until the lat
ter, IN a moment of remorse, caused by
over indulgence in weak tea, made a
confession to him. He therefore met
Paris at the house of Ajax-who was
the friend of both and, after obtain
ing a confession from him, agreed to
hush the matter up.
Unfortunately, retired priest of
Delphos, with a strong desire for mis-
chief, got wind Of the matter-doubt-
less through one Of the Pythoneses-
and began to abuse Menelaus in the
columns of the Messenean News. About
the same time Paris returned to Troy,
taking Helen with him, and Menelaus,
IN his indignation, made the whole
story public.
The excitement created was eno--
nous, and Paris, to save his reputation,
demanded an investigation, selecting
six troopers Of his own regiment as a
committee. The investigation was con.
Quoted with the most perfect fairness
company Of archers being stationed
outside the door of the committee room,
with orders to shoot every whnoss
who did not testify in Paris favor.
They failed, however, to hit Menelaus,
and were obliged to content themselves
with instigating the camp followers to
throw mud at him.
Menelaus told straightforward
story, which, when published by the
Trojan and Grecian papers, convinced
nearly every intelligent person of it's
truth, especially as it contained papers
written by Paris, in which he expressed
his guilty attachment, and remarked
that ''Menelaus had conducted himself
most generously towards him. but
that he should nevertheless be very
nervous until he could carry Helen
away to Troy with him. Paris, of
course, denied that he was, guilty.
Helen, he admitted, came to Troy with
him, but it was in order to read the
proofsheets Of his''Life of fPromethcus. -
His expressions as to nervousness in
certain Of his letters were due. to the
fact that his father, the venerable
Priam, had frequently beenl troubled
with deafness, while he himself had for
years believed that he was in danger Of
receiving blow on the head from CO.
coanut in case he should ever visit the
South Sea Islands. As to:the rest of
his letters, he could not at that dis
tance of time remember what they
meant, but rather fancied they alluded
to an attack Of measles from which
his little boyhood had: suffered. In
closing his testimony he'remarked that
he considered Ajax a Liar and a thiefon
general principles, and informed him
that, whatever he might say, NO intelli-
gent trooper would believe him.
Nv" <aJdA was (thS 1OAnser represents
him), one Of the. hxavest Of the brave.
He was greatly incensed against Paris,
and proceeded to- crush him, by making
a full statement Of the facts in the
case. He published letters from Paris,
from his sister Cassandra-who knew
him to BE- gui]ty-and from numerous
other persons The guilt Of Paris was
made rs clear as MONDAY, and there
upon TIE troopers who were investiga-
ting the matter hastily brought in a
verdict to the effect that, inasmuch as
Ms1efass and ajax had proved Paris
guilty Of = shameful crime, he was un-
,qnestionably innocent:
The report of the committee was fol-
lowed ty the publication Of statements