The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-05-30

ask him. He knew the qualities of his
friend, he felt secure in his integrity,
he knew that he would veturn in time,
his word was truth. PythiaS took his
place, and Damon departed on his deli.
cate mission. Who can imagine his
feelings and the grave responsibilities
which rested upon him? lie was to
announce to his wife and little innocent
les that he came to bid them a final
farewell. Could he do 1t? No 1t was
more than mortal man could do he
feared hat their pitpOuS walls ami
mourns might overcome his resolve to
return, ard cause him to forfeit his own
honor and the life of his friend. He
haStened his visit as much as possible,
and FASTENED 10 return. In the means
time the weather had suddenly changed;
the winds were adverse, the floods had
swept away bridges, and travelling was
rendered next to impossible. His try
ing position aud the state Of the sur
sounding elements, are forcibly depicted
! by William Peter, in a beautiful, poem
entitled "Damon and Pythias, or True
+, Friendship" of which the following is,
an extract
! But the heavens interpose,
Stern the tempest arose,
And when the poor pilgrim arrived at the
shore,
swoll to torrents the rills
/ Rushed in foam from the hills,
And crash went the bridge in the wllirl'
/ pool s wild roar
wildly gazing, despairing, half frenzied he
Dark, dark were the skies, and dark was
the flood,
And still darker his lone hearts emotion;
And he ShOutcQ for aid, but no aid was ut
hand,
No boat ventured forth from the surf-rid-
den strand,
And the waves sprang like woods, DER the
lessening land, ... ...r.
And the stream was becoming an ocean.
Now with knees low to earth, and with
hands to the skies, . .t
"Still the storm, God of might, God of mer.
40. hush with Thy breath this loud sea-
The hours hurry blythe sun glows on high;
And should he go down, and l not reach
NV friendwhe must perish for mel" 0ta
Yet the wrath of the torrent still went on
increasing, lr
And hour after hour hurried on; ..r.'
Then by anguish impelled, hope and fear
alike DER,
He, reckless, rushed into the waters deep
roar; L..'
Rose, sank, struggled on, till at length the
, Thanks to heavens outstretched hand--it
is won ... .t ....,
| His heart beat high in his bosom for
his own honor and the safety of Pythi.
as. He did not falter, but he urged
forward his noble steed, and never did
Z it fall to the lot of a horse to perform
, more important and diff cult task. The
time for the execution was nigh at hand,
and miles yet lay between him and his
place of destination. But let us turn to
+, the other side of the picture for a mo-
ment: Pythias bore his confinement
} with entire confidence and resignation,
| never donbting for a moment that Da-
} mon would not return according to his
: pledge. Time sped on, and the day,
: and at last the solemn hour for the exc
cution arrived, and Damon had not
come. 1t must have been trying hour
! for him +! The King and people never
, believed from the moment Damon de-
a parted. that he would ever again return,
/ and were now bold and con nident enough
to cast it up to Pythias. They could
, not understand such friendship. The
; people assembled by thousands around
+ the place of execution, and promptly
I attendants appeared at the scene, and
\ Pythas was led in chains upon tie ex-
\ ecutioners stand. He was asked tue
4 usual question, whether he had anything
o to say. He replied that tney might
4 doubt and question aught else, but they
q should never doubt the honor of his
r friend Damon 7; that lie would surely
n return as soon rs Providence would per-,
n init him, though he might oe too late to
: save his life, and that 1t was sweet for
n him to die to save the life OF his friend.
: The final preparations We're made iaad
# all was ready to launch him int0 etefn-
Il ity. 1t was supreme moment But
y hark! the voice of the distant multitude
i rose up. crying Hold hold he is here!
!. His noble steed fell dead just as his tn k
was finished, and Damon came rushing
through The crowd and upon the execu-
TONERS stand, and the two embraced
. aud kissed each other and wept. The
!, people shed tears at beholding the scene,
- and the heart of the tyrant himself was
!, moved to Weld to mercy'S gentle touch.
= lie pardoned them both, and extended
= to them the right hand OF friendship
:. and asked their forgiveness. Such an
u exhibition OF friendship, said he, is in-
y deed rare, and may ], though unworthy,
- become of their number? May time
y y speed the happy day when we shall have
y more men like Damon and Pytbias in
- every community throughout the length
20 and breadth of our land. This is, briefly
= one of the historicalviews of the incident
!, upon which the Z" Order OF the Knights
OF Pythlas" is founded. Its foundation
~ Is grandly sublime. its teachings and
"a principles humane aud holy.
J. [ro BE Continued
~ =